Hoghton Tower is a wonderful stately home just south of Preston. Its well worth a trip at any time but on April 25th 2004 the grandiose driveway that welcomed Tudor Kings becomes a dragstrip for loads of screaming bikes. Get yourselves there. Its great to watch the sprinting and browse through the paddock chatting.

Better still, why not have a go? If there are enough SV650 riders we can all have a section of our own? The 1/8th mile course record is 7.36seconds up a 1:12 slope, held by a 10 yr old ZZR1100 that was ridden there and home again. My SV650's best time was 8.39s so you can see how tight the racing is. Bikes vary - anything from stately Beemers to cared for old Brits with a few surprises and concoctions in between. The camaraderie between racers has to be witnessed to be believed. Unlike many events all you need is a zip-tie around your sidestand, a bit of tape on your lights, some sticky
numbers, leathers (zip-togethers will pass) and a recent gold badged helmet. 

Some entrants don't bother hotting their tyre up but my Mez3 was old and I enjoyed the pose! Then there is staging,  they just put you on the line, put a block under your back wheel and remind you that when the light goes green you can set off anytime in the next half minute. You lean over the front wheel a bit, dial 9000revs and burn the clutch - just as you would at the traffic lights if you're in a hurry. 9 seconds later you slow up and brake in front of the Great Hall, check out your time, and ride back to the paddock, buzzing! Eagerly awaiting another go.

I can't describe the adrenaline rush you get from competing, or the smugness that swells inside you when a bigger faster bike puts in a slower time than yours. Or the buzz from mingling with spectators that paid to watch you. It would take me too long and I'd get all poetic. If, like me, you are just a road rider it would cost you £2 for a day membership, £10 for a day licence and £28 to enter one class (Group 9 - Over 600cc). Best £40 I ever spent.

Its fun to watch too, or you might want to check it out before you enter, so come along anyway. Your other half can wander about the Tower if the bikes get to be too much. I'll be in the paddock, all day except for the odd 8.39 seconds, so come over and say hello. But haven't I convinced you to have a go? Are you not yet fed up of Gatsos? Don't you flinch every time you see a High Vis' jacket several yards ahead? What do you talk about in the pub - this website? What are you, an SV650 biker or a mouse?

Gimme an email before the 7th April and I'll photocopy you my entrance
forms. David@stowehouse.freeserve.co.uk

I forget where I picked this up, but I have to share it. (It's good)

Firepower


The bikes passenger seat swept up just enough that I could see over my father's shoulders. That seat was my throne. My dad and I traveled many back roads, searching for the ones we had never found before. Traveling these roads just to see where they went. Never in a rush. Just be home for supper. I remember wandering down a back road with my father, sitting on my throne watching the trees whiz by, feeling the rumble of our bike beneath us like a contented giant cat. A motorcycle came over a hill toward us and as it went by, my father threw up his gloved clutch hand and gave a little wave. The other biker waved back with the same friendly swing of his left wrist.I tapped my father on his shoulder, which was our signal that I wanted to say something. He cocked his helmeted ear back slightly while keeping his eyes ahead.
I yelled, "Do we know him?"
What?" he shouted.
"You waved to him. Who was it?"
"I don't know. Just another guy on a bike. So I waved."
"How come?"
"You just do. It's important."
Later, when we had stopped for chocolate ice cream, I asked why it was important to wave to other bikers. My father tried to explain how the wave demonstrated comradeship and a mutual understanding of what it was to enjoy riding a motorcycle. He looked for the words to describe how almost all bikers struggled with the same things like cold, rain, 
heat, car drivers who did not see them, but how riding remained an almost pure pleasure.I was young then and I am not sure that I really understood what he was trying to get across. But, It was a beginning. Afterward, I always waved along with my father when we passed other bikers.

I remember one cold October morning when the clouds were heavy and dark, giving us another clue that winter was knifing in from just over the horizon. My father and I were warm inside our car as we headed to a friend's home. Rounding a comer, we saw a motorcycle parked on the shoulder of the road. Past the bike, we saw the rider walking through the ditch, scouring the long grasses crowned with a touch of frost. We pulled over and backed up to where the bike stood.I asked Dad, "Who's that?"
"Don't know," he replied. "But he see to have lost something. Maybe
we can give him a hand."
We left the car and wandered through the tall grass of the ditch to the biker. He said that he had been pulling on his gloves as he rode and he had lost one. The three of us spent some time combing the ditch, but all we found were two empty cans and a plastic water bottle.My father turned and headed back to our car and I followed him. He opened the trunk and threw the cans and the water bottle into a small cardboard box that we kept for garbage. He rummaged through various tools, oil containers and windshield washer fluid until he found an old crumpled pair of brown leather gloves. Dad straightened them out and handed them to me to hold. He continued looking until he located an old catalogue. I understood why my dad had grabbed the gloves. I had no idea what he was going to do with the catalogue. We headed back to the biker who was still walking the ditch.My dad said, "Here's some gloves for you. And I brought you acatalogue as well."
"Thanks," he replied. I really appreciate it." He reached into his hip pocket and withdrew a worn black wallet.
"Let me give you some money for the gloves," he said as he slid some bills out.
"No thanks," my dad replied as I handed the rider the gloves.
"They're old and not worth anything anyway."
The biker smiled. "Thanks a lot." He pulled on the old gloves and then he unzipped his jacket. I watched as my father handed him the catalogue and the biker slipped it inside his coat. He jostled his jacket around to get the catalogue sitting high and centered under his coat and zipped it up. I remember nodding my head at the time, finally making sense of why my dad had given him the catalogue. It would keep him bit warmer. After wishing the biker well, my father and I left him 
warming up his bike.

Two weeks later, the biker came to our home and returned my father's gloves. He had found our address on the catalogue. Neither my father nor the biker seemed to think that my father stopping at the side of the road for a stranger and giving him a pair of gloves, and that stranger making sure that the gloves were returned, were events at all out of the ordinary for people who rode motorcycles. For me, it was another subtle lesson.

It was spring the next year when I was sitting high on my throne, watching the farm fields slip by when I saw two bikes coming towards us. As they rumbled past, both my father and I waved, but the other bikers kept their sunglasses locked straight ahead and did not acknowledge us. I remember thinking that they must have seen us because our waves were 
too obvious to miss. Why hadn't they waved back? I thought all bikers waved to one another.I patted my father on his shoulder and yelled, "How come they didn'twave to us?"
"Don't know. Sometimes they don't."
I remember feeling very puzzled. Why wouldn't someone wave back? Later that summer, I turned 12 and learned how to ride a bike with a clutch.I spent many afternoons on a country lane way beside our home,Kicking and kicking to start my father's T55 BSA. When it would finally sputter to a start, my concentration would grow to a sharp focus as I tried to let out the clutch slowly while marrying it with just enough throttle to bring me to a smooth takeoff. More often, I lurched and 
stumbled forward while trying to keep the front wheel straight and remember to pick my feet up. A few feet farther down the lane, I would sigh and begin kicking again.

A couple of years later, my older brother began road racing, and I became a racetrack rat. We spent many weekends wandering to several tracks in Ontario-Harewood, Mosport and eventually Shannonville. These were the early years of two-stroke domination, of Kawasaki green and 750 two-stroke triples, of Yvon Duhamel's cat-and-mouse games and the 
artistry of Steve Baker. Eventually, I started to pursue interests other than the race track. I got my motorcycle licence and began wandering the back roads on my own. I found myself stopping along side roads if I saw a rider sitting alone, just checking to see if I could be of help. And I continued to wave to each biker I saw. But I remained confused as to why some riders never waved back. It left me with almost a feeling of rejection, as if I were reaching to shake someone's hand but they kept their arm hanging by their side.

I began to canvass my friends about waving. I talked with people I met at bike events, asking what they thought. Most of the riders told me they waved to other motorcyclists and often initiated the friendly air handshake as they passed one another.I did meet some riders, though, who told me that they did not wave to other riders because they felt that they were different from other bikers. They felt that they were "a breed apart." One guy told me in colorful language that he did not "wave to no wusses". He went on to say that his kind of bikers were tough, independent, and they did not require or want the help of anyone, whether they rode a bike or not.I suspected that there were some people who bought a bike because they wanted to purchase an image of being tougher, more independent, a not-putting-up-with-anyone's-crap kind of person, but I did not think that this was typical of most riders.People buy bikes for different reasons. Some will be quick to tell you what make it is, how much they paid for it, or how fast it will go. Brand loyalty is going to be strong for some people whether they have a Harley, Ford, Sony, Nike or whatever. Some people want to buy an image and try to purchase another person's perception of them. But it can't be done. They hope that it can, but it can't. Still, there is a group of people who ride bikes who truly are a "breed apart." They appreciate both the engineering and the artistry in the machines they ride. Their bikes become part of who they are and how they define themselves to themselves alone. They don't care what other people think. They don't care if anyone knows how much they paid for their bike or how fast it will go. The bike means something to them that nothing else does. They ride for themselves and not for anyone else. They don't care whether anyone knows they have a bike. They may not be able to find words to describe what it means to ride, but they still know. They might not be able to explain what it means to feel the smooth acceleration and the strength beneath them. But they understand. These are the riders who park their bikes, begin to walk away and then stop. They turn and took back. They see something when they look at their bikes that you might not. Something more complex, something that is almost secret, sensed rather than known. They see their passion. They see a part of themselves. These are the riders who understand why they wave to other motorcyclists. They savor the wave. It symbolizes the connection between riders, and if they saw you and your bike on the side of the road, they would stop to help and might not ask your name. They understand what you are up against every time you take your bike on the road-the drivers that do not see you, the ones that cut you off or tailgate you, the potholes that hide in wait. The rain. The cold.

I have been shivering and sweating on a bike for more than 40 years. Most of the riders that pass give me a supportive wave. I love it when I see a younger rider on a "crotch rocket" scream past me and wave. New riders carrying on traditions. And I will continue in my attempts to get every biker just a little closer to one another with a simple wave of my gloved clutch hand. And if they do not wave back when I extend my hand into the breeze as I pass them, I will smile a little more. They may be a little mistaken about just who is a "breed apart."

Tom Ruttan


=============================================================
and this is the other part
=============================================================

Originally posted on http://www.soundrider.com/


Why I Didn't Wave

But I Like You Anyway

Hey, I know Dave Preston, he's a nice guy. And when he turned in his feature this month, Why I Always Wave, it reminded me that I've been concocting a counter feature of my own on the subject, so now he's going to drag it out of me.

As a rider for over three decades, I'm a nice friendly guy and much of the time I will wave. But there are times I won't and there are a number of reasons why I won't. Just so you don't take it personally, here's my top ten list.

10. At 120 mph you'll never see me - See, when I'm traveling down I-5 at 60 mph (or so), the last thing I'm looking for is you coming in the opposite direction at 60 mph (or so). All of the sudden your hand comes up off the bar to wave at me. Oh, gosh, I was so busy trying to deflect the numb nut that wants to pass me on the left in the H.O.V. lane I barely caught your wave baby. And now I figure we're going to pass each other at 120 mph (60 in your direction, 60 in mine, you gettin the math yet). There's no time for me to get my hand off the bar fast enough to wave at ya. But I still like ya anyway, whoever you are.

9. I'm on a new bike - Sometimes dealers let me road test a new bike. Not having much experience with it the last thing I'm gonna do is take my hand off the bar to wave. But I still like ya anyway, whoever you are.

8. Some joker is tailgating me - I'm already using my hand for something else in this case, most likely I'm holding two fingers behind my back to get the motorist behind me to remember the two second rule. Works good most of the time, but I had to forfeit your wave. But I still like ya anyway, whoever you are.

7. Just had a fight with my girlfriend - Well that used to be the case, but I've since dumped her so now I've got more time to look for you and wave.

6. Something on the sidewalk requiring more attention - See, ever since I dumped my girlfriend I've been seeing things on the sidewalk that are worth a second look and might miss you as I pass you by. But I still like ya anyway, whoever you are.

5. I'm clutching - How is it that you are riding so free and easy through a turn, while I'm having to clutch. You musty be on a Helix or something. But I still like ya anyway, whoever you are.

4. My hand went numb - It's my 11th hour on the bike today and I lost use of my left hand about 60 miles back. Only problem now is that I'm starting not to feel the right one either. Wake me up doctor!

3. It's raining cats and dogs - I'm being mister all-season rider guy and making my way through the rain being super careful and you ride by with a wave. What, is it summer on your side of the street, get your hand back on the bar.

2. I'm dialing my cell phone - (Just kidding).

1. I'm busy breaking the wind..... Oh sure, sit there like you've never done this yourself on your motorcycle. You know the drill, get a burrito somewhere then head back home. Next thing you know there's a little pain in your lower intestine. You start to adjust your middle section, then lift off the seat by pressing your body upward and transferring your weight to the bars - ahhh. There we go.... Feels better now. And don't say you've never done this before bubba, or I'll send a gastrointestinologist over right away to see what's wrong with you. I would never wave whilst in the middle of this act... But I still like ya anyway, whoever you are.

Hi John

Here is another picture for the website. Since I last sent you a picture I have now finished my upgrade program to my SVK3. My last mods have been a Suzuki hugger, R & G frame protectors and oil/radiator stainless covers from Hamicad. I am sure that it would be possible to bolt on more bits but I think the bike now looks absolutely perfect and to add any more would be O.T.T !

Total modification/add ons :

Suzuki belly pan. Suzuki hugger. Carbon Can Co. road legal oval stainless end can. Motrax Mini indicators front & rear. R & G frame protectors. Hamicad fender eliminator. Hamicad oil/radiator stainless covers. 7 x 5 `Showroom` number plate. Reflector on rear number plate light housing.

All I need to do now is ride the bloody thing and hopefully start to enjoy some more agreeable weather conditions.

All the best

Rob Hatch (Pazzaz)

Hi John I bought this bike as a cat D right off in November the damage was just cosmetic and after running a SV650s in 2001 I thought it would be a good buy. 

The only work I have not done myself is bend the link pipes. The paint is a 3 colour flip which is a transparent paint so I just scotchbrite the original blue paint stuck some silver foil stickers on, painted the flip and then lacquered the lot.

The wheels took ages and are not really a home job but are well worth the effort, polished rims painted centers. The cans are Leo-Vinci off a TLl1000 from Ebay but I had to shorten them by 100mm, a mate did the link pipes and has done great job but so he should as he builds custom bikes and exhausts for a living (divers).

The undertray is a home made s/steel tray. The other mods are a k+n filter, TRE mod for 15p thanks to sv650.org ,a 15 tooth front sprocket, seat cover and a d/b screen. All these mods have come to less than £500. Think that's about it for the moment I just can't wait to get it run in its only got 400 miles on the clock. I'll send you some more pics when I get home.

Thanks IAN <fleety#btinternet.com>

ps (I`m not in the bike or car trade)

Looks dam fine to me, well done!

Hi John

I've recently moved from South Africa, where I owned a string of BMW's from F650 dakars to r1100rs etc etc. I've now been in the UK for over 3 years and have found the SV650 an excellent bike for the slow riding permissible here, great for the congested, narrow but very twisty roads. I'm used to going on bike rallies in SA, cruising the 300kms from Johannesburg to the mountains at between 180 and 200 km/h on my RS. There are no weird tinted visor laws, and you can pretty much get away with loud cans (It would be nice to treated like an Adult in the UK).

The BLUE FLAME exhaust is excellent, has the road legal mark on it, but has two removable dB killers, so the loudness can be adjusted to suit. Blue flame are based in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, and I found their service excellent.

regards

David Shaw <David_Shaw#scanachrome.com>

Hello John, Finally got round to sending some info about my SV , please see the attached spec list , this is ongoing and is now heading towards some really expensive mods . Test rode a new CBR600RR the other day yeh its a good bike but the SV still has me hooked , also went out for a cracking ride out with

a load of other four cylinder bikes and had an absolute ball doing as good if not better than them along a load of twisties . Just cant stop modding this baby , I just want it to awaken every sceptic out there to the SV .

Yours Andy Ablett . <ANDREWABBERS#aol.com>

I hate to ask how much this lot cost ;-)

Model - 2001 SV 650 SK1( Red ) .

• Suzuki supplied fairing lower panels ( colour matched ) .

• Suzuki supplied single seat cowling ( colour matched ) .

• Suzuki supplied hugger ( colour matched ) .

• F.Fabbri smoked double bubble screen .

• Grab rail removed and banditmania saddle shutters fitted to block off holes .

• Under tray fitted , diy reg plate light , cdi re positioned & loom re - routed .

• 2 wheel junkies front mudguard ( svr type ) .

• Goodridge brake hoses all round – front converted to two lines from lever to brakes – all with stainless fittings and banjo bolts covered in black heat shrink .

• Robby racing rear sets – right side fitted with pressure switch type banjo bolt for brake light and diy carbon heel plate .

• Scorpion high level titanium exhaust silencer ‘e’ marked with removable baffle ( rear footrests removed ) .

• Hagon rear adjustable shock & progressive fork springs ( 15wt oil ) .

• JHS racing shorter rear suspension links – raises rear end 25mm approx ( for quicker steering ) .

•  Pro – bolt  titanium bolts :

  • Front and rear calliper mounting bolts

  • Front axle pinch bolts

  • Front fork yoke pinch bolts ( top & bottom )

  • Rear axle nut

  • Brake and clutch lever clamp bolts

  • Clip on handlebar pinch bolts      

  • Exhaust bracket mounting bolts

  • Front mudguard mounting bolts

  • Fuel tank mounting bolts

  • Tax disc holder bolt

  • Various stainless steel allen bolts & nyloc nuts .

• Red racing carbon side panels .

• Carbon fuel tank protector and tax disc holder .

• Fork leg protectors .

• Scottoiler .

• Flush mount indicators front & rear .

• Ignition retard for gear 2 & 3 disabled .

• Fuel tank raised to aid airflow to airbox .

• Alloy paddock stand bobbins .

• Metzeler sportec M1 tyres .

• 7 x 5 reg plate .

• Various decals to own spec .

John

I've attached a couple of photos from what has now been christened the 'Scottish Disaster'. These were actually taken before any carnage happened though we are all looking a little cold! Not sure what type of Suzuki is on the far right of the first shot!?

Martin aka Mertin the Mertian

Use this link to go to the forum article http://forums.sv650.org/viewtopic.php?t=5911&highlight=scottish

This is my SV650 K3. I made some cool modifications. I add a M4 high mount full system with the power commander III usb. The bike performs superbly with this mod. I also added a bikini fairing by Suzuki. It keeps some wind of your chest and doesn't clutter up the bike's look. I've added the radiator covers and have gotten rid of the rear fender. I still have a few mods to make before the bike is complete.

I love the response and handling from the bike. I ride the bike daily and get many compliments on it.

It does look the part.

Hi John,

I'm an as yet unregistered 'lurker' (and SV650S) owner but I wondered if you and other SV650.orgers would be interested in the following news item.

Cheers,
Steven Hopkin-Jones.

Sounds like a good PR exercise and for a good cause

--------ooo0ooo-------

Foggy challenges bikers to storm Parliament, in aid of children's charity.

Date: Saturday 8th May Time: Meet @ Noon @ Ace Cafe London

Four times World Superbike Champion Carl Fogarty is reving up, ready to converge on the Houses of Parliament, in a bid to raise thousands of pounds for the NSPCC. He's looking for riders of modern and classic motorcycles and scooters to join him on this unique 'ride of a lifetime'.

The Paliamentary Review Ride is being held by the All-Party Parliamentary Motor Cycling Group, sponsored by specialist vehicle insurance broker Footman James and vehicle-care company Autoglym.

Meeting at Noon, and led by Foggy, the motorcycle cavalcade will leave ACE CAFE LONDON, with a traffic-stopping escort of outriders from the Metropolitan Police Motorcycle Tasking Team, allowing uninterrupted passage through Central London to the Palace of Wesminster.

Every biker taking part is being asked to raise funds for the NSPCC, the official charity of the Foggy Petronas Racing Superbike Team. The first 150 individual entries accepted, who raise at least £100 each will be entitled to Tea, on the Terrace of the House of Commons, immediately following the Ride, a momento presentation from Foggy and a tour of The 
House, conducted by MPs from the All-Party Parliamentary Motor Cycling Group.

Foggy says: "Last year's inaugural event created a traffic-stopping spectacle for those watching and gave the bikers and MPs who joined me, including Minister of State at the Home Office Hazel Blears MP and Steve Pound MP. Our Met Police motorcycle escort gave us a clear 'run of the road' all the way from the Ace Cafe to Westminster. It certainly made me feel a 'king of the road'!"

"The event raised £15,000 for the NSPCC, which I was able to hand-over to the charity at the International Classic Motor Cycle Show at the Birmingham NEC in November. Now I'm hoping more bikers than ever, will want to be part of the same experience in 2004, by riding with me and raising money for the NSPCC on the second Parliamentary Review Ride".

Pop in and collect an entry form from ACE CAFE LONDON. or contact event organiser John Cole: Tel: 01934 811116/Email: jcole170@aol.com 

Looking forward to your taking part.

Kind Regards

Linda Wilsmore

Ace Cafe London

Hej! Here is my scooter! Modifications like you see - certainly best is "stand" made from a chair by myself. 

Best regards. Kris

I thought there was something odd about that stand. Can't top my fence post job though!

Hi there John! The mushrooms are from the Italian firm LLS. www.lls.it  (English motorbike-pages, if the link works:) http://shop.llstitanium.com/cgi-bin/llstitanium.storefront/405ab4a100b20f6927180a00000e05c8/ChangeLanguage/EN 

Got them through a dealer here in Sweden which helped me get a really good price when I arranged a group-buy with 7 brethren SV-owners. I don't know if LLS has a British dealer, but I guess that they should. They have lots of candy for motorbikes, and they are also a sponsor of Yamaha Racing. If you get to the crash-bung part and read the listing for different bikes you will se that they have written "Necessary to drill the frame" on some bikes. They do not mean that, it's Italian for "Necessary to cut the fairing" You can get a complete crank-case screw set in anodised aluminium for around £30, according to my dealer.

Best regards!

Anders

Hi John,

I have had a copy of "How to disable your ignition retarder" on my computer for ages now. Superb idea, but I was just too lazy to start dismantling the bike to get at the wiring. While browsing another SV site (I feel so ashamed at being unfaithful) I came across a method of doing the same thing without removing any body work! (Unless you count the rear seat as bodywork). Not only did I take notice of all the details, I went straight out to the garage and did the job in about 6 minutes flat! I know it only releases about an extra 1BHP but the sharper throttle response is well worth the effort. Big thanks to the Guy who put the information together (Can't remember which site it was on) and I hope he doesn't mind me passing it on.

Kevin Smith Wheeltrax Motorcycle Tours <kevinsmith#wheeltrax.com>

This download was 2mb in size, so I've reproduced it here. As usual to protect Kevin and I, Do this at your own risk.

Firstly make sure you have the right tools Small electrical screwdriver Electrical insulation tape or shrink-wrap Tweezers

1. Remove the rear seat of your bike.

2. Locate the ignition control box.

3. Unplug the ignition control box connector.

4. You must now identify the two wires on the multi plug that control the ignition retarder. 

a. Red wire with a yellow stripe 

b. Green wire with a blue stripe

5. With the tweezers, release each wire in turn by gently easing the small black tab on the connector block away from the wire. Push the wire through the block using the screwdriver.

6. Use the insulation tape/heat shrink to prevent a short of the system.

7. To make a really neat job, and to stop the wires chafing on the frame, tie wrap the cables back to the wiring loom. 

8. Replace the multiplug and seat, job done! To be sure everything works as it should run the bike and go up and down the gears (1st, 2nd, 3rd) to check for any misfires etc. This is made much easier if you have use of a paddock stand.

Hello John.

Just wanted to share some pics of my 2002 SV650S which I have tried to customize the way I like it (It´s now more custom than my friends Suzuki Intruder...)

Mods I've done: 

• Powerbronze Undertray
• Powerbronze Solo seat.
• Powerbronze Airflow screen
• Peugeot 206 front indicators
• Some fake carbon mini indicators for rear 
• Custom cut silver squares in a checkered pattern. (around 250)
• Tires: Avon Azarro SP46 ( I think?) 
• Fender extenda
• Akrapovic full system
• Rejetted carbs, lifted needle.
•  Makes 71.6 bhp.

Best regards. Anders. <anders.tornberg#ette.com>

You didn't mention the crash mushrooms, I've not seen this shape before, looks good.

Hello John

There is a Sprint (straight hillclimb) at Hoghton Tower near Preston on Sunday 25th April and I would love to see more SV650s take part. It costs you about £40. You only need leathers and a recent helmet. oh, and a zip-tie for your sidestand. Brilliant fun. I will do you a full article if you are interested? (articles are always welcome)

Vtwins do well on the hill. It's only like setting off quick from a redlight but its great to beat some bigger, faster, expensive machines. If anyone wants to know more, contact me. David Stowe 01772 719406 or david@stowehouse.freeserve.co.uk . Be quick - the closing date for entries is April 9th and you'll need me to photocopy my application forms, post them to you...

Other items I am constantly playing with my SV...stiffened the forks and altered the geometry for under £20, fitted a highlevel can (£15 plus a can)...designed and built a full digital dash (inc shiftlight)...one off bikini fairing + bellypan, and many other mods as you can see. (I can sort of see the image is a bit small, but even so I can attitude to this SV, tell us more we want details and bigger photos ;-)

I hope to be a useful contributor to the site. Later.

David

Hi John,

Here are some pictures I found on the www.mototuning.com  website, I thought they might interest you... they were taken at the annual Paris tuning show.

Definitely interested. Very Nice. Thanks

John,

Recently purchased a non-slip pillion seat cover from Triboseat ( www triboseat.com  ). This product fits neatly over the existing pillion seat pad due to the design it uses a drawstring to hold it in place rather than more permanent staples, although after the first use I did secure it in place with a couple of screws. My pillion can highly recommend it, no more slip sliding around under acceleration or braking, and I can certainly recommend it as rider, no more pillion crashing into my back when I pull on the brakes!

The price is £19.99 including p&p and was received within 48 hours of placing the order. All models are catered for. I've attached a couple of pictures.

Whilst I was in the photographic mood I took a snap of my stable of vehicles not many other people can claim to use a 1971 Alfa Romeo Spider Junior as a winter hack! (Seems like sacrilege to me, taking a pretty Italian car out on our salty roads)

Best Regards

Barry Walker <bicky#walk21.freeserve.co.uk>

Mariner

Hi John....

Just thought id tell you about the brilliant service i had from HEL performance hoses. I bought 2front lines from them and got next day delivery, it came to £50.00. Next day i read on the website that some chappy had got a discount for mentioning the hornet owners group so i called HEL back.

I told them that i was a member of the sv650.org website, and straight away they said that they would knock 25% off the cost and credit that difference back onto my credit card...

Fantastic service, friendly staff, next day delivery and all this for £37.50. The closest i got with Good ridge was £140.00!!!!!

Best regards,

(getyerkneedown)

Joe D Lillie <jdl#blucher.co.uk>

Think I'll be paying them a visit

Hi John I thought you might like a picture of my bike for the site. As you will see it's a bit alternative, no sleek undertrays or carbon huggers for me oh no. A complete set of Givi hard cases (not all there in the picture, didn't want to cause too much of a shock) lets me go off hill walking and lock the bike gear safely (-ish) up while the bike is parked. Sharp eyes will also detect the 'Bikesliders' crash protectors, thanks Peter K.

A surprisingly good lightweight touring bike as well as all its other uses. Is there anything you can't do with one of these? (I'm sure there is but someone will come along and prove us wrong)

Ken McCulloch (kenmcc#blueyonder.co.uk)

Edinburgh

Hi john,

I was looking on the SV site and noticed that a guy called 'Kev' has just put on the same undertray and blinkers that I have on my bike (see nov 03 images). I've got some info for 'kev'. The rear blinkers do look good and are very functional but because of the wires being exposed mine have started to get damp inside and one of them now doesn't work. I fixed this by removing the back end of the bike and undoing the end of the undertray. Then with some careful drilling mounted them to the side of the tray. Put it all back together and mounted my number plate using half of the arse-end bracket. I'm pleased to say that after all that pissing about it looked even better than before. I'll try and attach some pics, they're not brill because the whether is shit.

Chris Charles-Hill

I gave the photos a good scrub and they look reasonable now. I've marked where the wiring travels.

Hi John

Just wanted to send you a pic of my bike now I have the hugger on it and the Remus Revolution can. I've taken the baffle out of the can and it sounds fantastic.

I also wanted to say thanks for your services and offers page too, its saved me a fortune on tyres. I went to JHS and got some Avon soft compound SP's which were about £60 a pair cheaper than I was being quoted anywhere else. And the tyres are great, I'd recommend them to anyone - now I can really throw it around...

Glad to see the site back up and running, keep up the great work.

Andy (andy_heppleston#hotmail.com) 

Glad you made some savings. I don't get much feedback on the services and offers, so it's nice to know that someone has benefited.

I have a page on my site: http://www.johndotcom.com/sv.htm 

Been riding since September 2002, this is my first bike. I can't wait to upgrade someday to a SV1K. But honestly, I'm torn between that or an I4.

It's okay, I have alotta time before I need to make that decision.

J (john#johndotcom.com)

Originally John sent these photos with not much text to go with it. I guess Mia is the umbrella girl.

John, just found your site, excellent...still trawling through all the postings. Thought you might like to add this shot to your collection, sorry its a bit over 100kb don't know how to reduce it, its myself and my daughter on my 2000 SV.

Keep up the good work

all the best

John Masters

Hi John,

Just trying add a couple of pictures to the "oops I got carried away" post in Tuning and Tweaking to show what the finished result looks like. Can you help ???

Its not a work of art but I'm sure it'll make the likes of Sid Squid laugh anyway

Cheers

Many Thanks Steve Hopkins - 

thanx for your reply. just got back form a coupla days of daytona bike week. 98% harley but cool vintage racing @ the tri oval and the corporate demo rides were great. too short of inseam for the tuono but the moto guzzi rosa corsa and the bmw 1200rs were everything you would expect.. no ducati representation, also saw valentino r.s' repsol v5.all the trailer queen types couldn't believe i rode my little nekkid all the way form across the river from augusta ga ( home of the masters and the godfather of soul james brown) to daytona 8hrs probably going a bit faster than i should 108 to 114 max @ stretches, gotta go lube my smoking chain. all my best to you svers accross the pond. mike

Hi John As promised here's a photo of bike with the Givi A700 screen, logo radiator cover, carbon look fork guards and a pair of mushrooms just in case. Darryl

John,

as promised another more routes for people to look at if they fancy more than just the one ride out. I noticed people had mentioned other well known roads so i have tried to include some of these in this route.

Could you do the honours again and transfer it to an autoroute map. (I'll try) 

Start :

Meet up at Buxton tarin station which is on the A53 just outside the town centre.

Pick up A5004 (Long Hill) heading for Whaley Bridge.

After a few good miles and at the bottom of the hill take aright turn at the traffic lights.

This is B5470 heading for Chapel -en-le Frith.

Go through centre of Chapel and turn left onto A624 headin for Glossop.

Continue on A624 through Hayfield and Little Hayfield.

When you reach the traffic lights in the centre of Glossop,turn right onto A57 heading for Sheffield.

You are now at the start of the infamous SNAKE PASS.

Enjoy the road and the views and take care on some of the sharp corners for about 13miles.

At this point you will have the Ladybower Reservoir on your right.

At the next set of traffic lights (just after crossing over the reservoir) take the right turn onto the A6013 heading for Bamford.

Stay on the A6013 until you come to a T-junction and the turn right onto A625 heading for Hope and Castleton.

Continue on A625 until you get to Castleton. As you have almost left the village there is a mini roundabout and a coach/car park on the right. Maybe a good place to stop for refreshments. Lots of pubs , cafe's and souvenir shops.

Castleton is the only place in the world where you can find the purple stone "blue john" lots of the shops sell souvenirs made from it.

When ready continue on A625 up through the very steep and spectacular Winnants Pass. The road comes to a T-Junction at the top of the pass.

Turn right onto A625 heading for Chapel en le Frith.

Continue until just before Chapel you turn right onto the A6 which is the bypass for Chapel, heading for Buxton.

Stay on A6 until you come to a mini roundabout on the edge of Buxton town centre.

Turn right and after about half a mile you are back at the train station.

If people are interested in other things than just bike riding???

Then there is lots to do in the area and I will be happy to pass on any info

Dave aka CHOG

I've been speaking to Chris about a special offer for SV650.org readers. I'm just waiting for a logo for the "Services and Offers" section. Meantime feel free to take advantage of Chris's offer below. John 

Hi again

Thanks for that. Here's a special offer for your offers section: We currently have 24 types of standard non-corded plugs on our web price list - the first 24 types listed, from EAR SOFT FX to FORM. Our normal Test Pack (20 different pairs (our choice) + Carrybox) is £12.00. Special offer for your members is £10 for 24 pairs (should be one pair of each of the first 24 pairs - but if we are out of stock of one - rare, but it can happen - we'll put in another pair - probably something else) plus a Carrybox. A bargain!

Cheers

Chris

Hi John,

The current issue of the Used Bike Guide features a large article on the SV650. It is in the shops now, priced £2.50. I wrote the letter below to the editor, Brian Tarbox. I think it says it all. The website http://www.usedbikeguide.com  has a link to the sv650.org site, but with a silly comment about "wanting a TL1000, but the wife wont let me." (Yep people tend to snear at the SV for some reason) I was going to mention it, but decided not too. I will if he replies to my e-mail.

************************************* 

Hi Brian, I was initially worried when you took over the UBG and UMG. But on reflection, the previous incumbents were getting lazy. So keep at it.

The SV article is good, and I do like the way real owners are used for reports throughout the mag.

I had an early SVS until late last year when I sold it to finance a house move. Still bikeless, but hopefully not for long. Previous bikes I have had include a Honda CB200, CX500, VX800, Zephyr 550 and the SVS650. The SV is not a perfect bike by any means, but it is a good base model to start with. It does not suit everybody, and it is also easy to buy the wrong model, i.e. buying a naked one when the faired one would have suited you better.

I personally should have bought a naked one, because of problems with my hands going numb, but that's how you learn. I raised the bars by 60mm, but it is a bloody difficult job. If you wish to see how, please go to my website at: http://www.angelfire.com/va2/tonyp2020/ 

One problem I found, not mentioned in your article about the SV650S is: There is only one earth cable for the whole of the front end (everything that moves when you turn the bars) and this can become corroded in the large multiway connector under the LHS fairing. Erratic tacho's, front cylinder missing occasionally (feeds the tacho its signal), slow indicators, dim lights, etc. can all be traced to this problem. I bridged out the large connector with a second earth cable, using a spade connector and 2 short pieces of wire.

Top tips. Starting with the cheapest.

Visit http://www.sv650.org  Really surprised you did not mention the website. Run by a guy called John, it has a forum and lots of links all about the SV650 and now SV100. If you want top ten tips, just post the question there and stand back.

The UK spec carb models have carb heaters, but the thermostatic switch (a black piece of plastic about the size of a £1 coin with 2 yellow cables sticking out from it) should be cable tied into the loom under the petrol tank on the RHS side of the RHS of the bike. However it often ends up tucked nicely between the 2 cylinders, where it keeps nice and warm and does not do its job. I had mine stuck out into the airflow between the tank and frame. Sorted.

Keep the carbs balanced. Stops erratic engine behaviour.

Move the needle in the carb up one notch to cure lean running.

Fit a front fender extender. Keeps water out of the front spark plug and stones away from the radiator.

Fit 60/65Watt bulbs in the faired version. Original's are 40/45Watt. The loom will cope, the battery will cope unless you mostly do a slow speed, stop/start commute, when you should switch the bulbs off altogether.

Fit better tyres, the bike is too light for the original OE metzlers fitted to the carb models. Not that there should be many left now with OE tyres.

Fit uprated front springs. Later models came with front fork spring adjusters, which can be fitted to earlier models.

I sure other people will supply their own tips.

If you intend to publish motorcycle webpages address in the mag or online, one to consider adding is: http://www.handleitorloseit.com/ 

I have a story published there in April 2003, and I even have a real live pair of underpants with the friendly slogan "Handle it or lose it" slogan on the front. Not allowed to wear them in public, in case I get hit by a bus.

Cheers Tony

Hi john, there doesn't seem to be much interest for this in the forum but thought you may like to know that if I can get a minimum order of around six people I can get windowed clutch covers made up for the SV by a very reputable motorbike shop in the UK for around £150. I haven't got any photos of this as mentioned above I do need a minimum order before they can be down for costing reasons!

Anyhow just thought someone may like the idea other than me!

Regards Gav <gavincraddock22@tiscali.co.uk>

Give Gavin a shout if you fancy this idea 

The aging carolina rokstr, i never could play like duane allman but 52 years and six suzukis later i'm still rockin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good to hear from you. I can barely get a tune out of my guitar.

Hi there

I see that there has been quite a lot of comment about ear plugs on the site. We stock over 40 types. As we are England's leading supplier of ear plugs to motorcyclists (we have supplied MCN and Bike and Ride and PB and Superbike and the police and many more) would you like to add us to your links page? In particular, our Earplug Guide could help some people (it's due for an update, but the URL will stay the same, so not a problem) - this is at: http://www.members.aol.com/lucydellearplugs/guide.htm 

And if you would like to add us to the general links page as: http://www.members.aol.com/lucydellearplugs/  then we will give people who quote SV560.org a 10% discount on any order over £5. (I've done this)

If you would like to work with us on a promotion, we can offer a very special deal on our TestPack. Let me know what you think!

Cheers

Chris <LucyDellEarplugs@aol.com>

I have written back to Chris asking for a logo for the "Services and Offers" section

Hi John, l love your web site it's like my bible :). l just bought a new Sliver SV650s and l love it. What is the spec's of the new SV eg BHP and topend mph??. Is it Different?

Here are some pictures of my new SV all standard :( soon will change and old SV.

If ya look very hard at my fsd bellypan on old Sv you can see were a put a sticker of your web site.

Regards,

Wesley Kenny <wesley#memorybank.ie>

Dublin Ireland

I have been back on the board for a while after a six month gap on an R1100S (big mistake). Anyway I picked up one of the last old shapes (which I prefer), and have started to mod it. I fitted a Powerbronze undertray (3rd one I've fitted to various bikes) and got some Motrax Micro indicators (legal) which look well cool. No probs with fast flashing speed, very bright and flexy stems incase you catch one. I made a blank plate to fit on the inside of the fairing to mount the fronts without moding the fairing, out of the mudguard I cut out for the undertray. The undertray looked very orange as it was not colour matched but is hardly noticeable. I am well chuffed with the result.

Kev <wheatleykr#blueyonder.co.uk>

Greetings from sunny South Africa.

Happy birthday to the site. I hope you guys continue to grow. I was looking at your Rideouts and they look like fun. I purposefully have not joined any motorcycle club here in Durban as I once (long ago) had a rather nasty experience when riding with a club (on my initiation ride...) and I decided there and then that I would not join. (!)

I came across the attached Yuasa battery manual and thought that it may come in handy for someone. I found it on the www.Yuasabatteries.com  site. On the site (a US site) there is also a lot of info about understanding motorcycle batteries. You may want to place it in your info section.

Keep up the good work and please do not give me any more frights like the one I got when you server went down earlier this year......(Didn't do my health a lot of good!)

Regards, Dave

630kb download. I'll place this in the SV_mauals page also.

Hi John, I would really appreciate it if you could post this for the March issue:

Dear fellow SV enthusiasts,

No hype, no bull, just a fantastic price offer for a 7 night half board touring holiday in Germany. From an unbelievable price of only £448-00! you could be riding the curves of the Rhine and Mosel valleys, having the experience of a lifetime on the Nürburgring and savouring the delights of the best of German cuisine.

What's the catch?..... There isn't one!

Check out our package tours for 2004 HERE and get to know the real Germany.

Safe riding,

Kevin Smith Tours Director

Wheeltrax Motorcycle Tours Hauptstr 46a 57627 Astert Germany Tel/Fax 0049 2688 988848

The SV is finally back together again and I've just been for a test ride around the village. Nothing fell off, nor were there any dreadful noises. I left all the bodywork and mirrors off during this ride, just in case I had to delve back into the innards. Strange how small the bike felt without it's clothes. It's amazing how familiar the bike felt, even though I haven't been on it for at least two months, it felt like I'd never been away.  I did have one minor slip of the rear wheel on this short sorté, nothing serious but enough to remind me that the tyre was new and I should be cautious.

I've been taking photos of the various things I've been doing to the SV, so I can update the SV restorer article. Time, or lack of it has been an issue this month, but I will get around to it.

The lack of time spent on the site is due (in part)  to the amount of time I have spent messing with my PC. I took the plunge to move to XP a couple of weeks ago. That caused a few wrinkles to sort out. It just takes so long to get everything back to the way it was and working the way it should.  The move to XP was prompted by the arrival of Broadband in our village. I thought I'd have less hassle with XP that I would with Win98 (first edition). In fact I bought an ADSL modem for someone the other day and the list of included drivers only goes down to Win98SE.  BB will make life a lot easier for me. The extra bandwidth will make backing up the forum much easier and downloading email quicker too.

On the subject of emails. I had a few photos sent to me this month with content like 'Hi, Stick this in the gallery please, regards Fred'  Not exactly verbose.  I'm not going to stick photos in the gallery unless there's something interesting about the owner or the bike. We've all seen a bog standard SV before.  I always reply asking for more information before I post, if I get no response then that's as far as it gets.  I'm not looking for an autobiography but it would be nice to have some background on the owner or the bike. </moan>

Spring is finally appearing around here, despite the recent batch of snow. I'm seeing and hearing more bikes on the roads as they emerge from their winter hibernation. I'm looking forward to scrubbing that tyre in.

Drive safe.

John

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