Worlds Best SV650

The first job was to give the bike a wash, then seat off; which exposed that some little mice had made it home. With all the disused husks of thier food stashed above the back mudguard. Pressure washer out again and a quick blast soon shifted them. The bike looked so much better for a wash but I couldn't move it without knocking the brakes off with a block of wood and a hammer. So I knew they needed sorting although the fork dust seals were really perished the actual chrome stanchions looked good and the seals didn't appear to be leaking. So out with the Solvol Autosol and a good polish on the stanchion so that hopefully the seals can be saved and all I need to replace is the dust seal. My first job before getting to involved was to get the bike running. Lifting the fuel cap the tank had some very dubious fuel sitting in the bottom and from the smell of it I was convinced the carbs would be a right mess. So removed the tank the stale fuel going straight in with my waste oil. With the tank off I thought I might as well remove the carbs and thoroughly clean them so off with the airbox and straight into the carbs. Well, much to my suprise once the float bowels were off the insides were exposed. They were extremely good no horrible gooey residue just nice clean bowls. But at least I know they are right and its not going to be that niggle at the back of my mind as I'm trundling along. So put it all back together, new air filter connect a new battery plug my remote fuel tank in hit the button and brrr away she goes. No knocks or rattles just that V twin thumping away. I,m chuffed now as its worth cracking on with the brakes and other re commissioning items.

The front calipers are pretty poor ideally I wanted to save the pistons and just replace the seals. Give the bleed nipple a crack with a copper hammer and a good hexagon socket and they loosen nicely. I made a bolt that fitted the banjo union with a grease nipple in it filled the calipers from my grease gun and pushed the pistons out in a controlled fashion thus I was able to save the pistons. Dont think the brake fluid had ever been changed as the build up of corrosion behind the seals was the worst Ive seen for a long time. Seals had been ordered and at this point I must thank Suzuki for supplying these at a super discounted rate using there race scheme. Genuine parts so often have the edge on the pattern ones; they just fit and things like the front sprocket have the rubber bonded to them to dampen noise. The brake pads have anti rattle shims with them and yes you can re use the old ones but the new ones are just that bit better fit. So new pads went in and the caliper sliders were freed off then once assembled they are as good as new. So straight onto the rear I had the bike up on my ramp on a paddock stand at the rear and jack under the front of the engine thus facilitating the removal of both wheels. It makes sense to replace the tyres and rear sprocket whilst the wheels are out. The tyres were supplied by Cambrian Tyres our tyre wholesaler foc so big thanks to Cambrian for a pair of Bridgestone Battleaxe. The rear caliper. Now this was solid I had to knock it off with a hyde mallet it was so seized. The rear caliper is held together with two long allen bolts and the only way to split it and release these bolts was to heat it up with a propane lamp. When really hot I was able to crack each bolt free. Once dismantled I was able to recondition the rear caliper, fitting a new seal kit pads and cleaning the insides of the caliper up so that everything moved smoothly. Whilst I had the front wheel out I dropped the fork legs and cleaned behind the seals then replaced the dust seal and oil.

With new tyres brakes overhauled, new chain and sprockets forks attended too, swing arm linkages greased new battery and the bike running. We are ready for mot which id have been mortified if id missed something as well as the mick taking that would have ensued. That first ride to work to have it tested was superb. All the way I was smiling enjoying the fact that she ran perfectly doesn't have abs doesn't have traction control and rider modes, yet she feels right. I'm going to enjoy riding her. Since the mot I've been using her for work, done a big trip to Milton Keynes and back in the day. So far done about four hundred and fifty miles. I'm going to replace the throttle cables and clutch cable just to have them as smooth as possible for the ride. Other than that just need to attach my sat nav and we are ready to go.

On that note I'm still figuring out how to load the route but am sure Ill sort that.