POSTINGS  FOR NOVEMBER 2002 

HELLO TO ALL AT SV 650 .ORG I HAVE A SV650S 2001 UK SPEC WHICH I AM MORE THAN HAPPY WITH BUT WOULD LIKE TO UPGRADE THE SUSPENTION [FRONT FORKS] . I HAVE RECENTLY BROUGHT SOME PROGRESSIVE FRONT SPRINGS FOR THE FRONT FORKS BUT HAVE BEEN LED TO BELIVE THAT PRE 1988/89 USD FORKS FROM A RGV 250 WOULD FIT THE BIKE WITH NO MODIFICATIONS IS THIS TRUE. ALSO WITH THE PENDING LAUNCH OF THE 2003 SV WITH FEUL INJECTION WILL WE BE ABLE TO BUY THIS AS AN AFTERMARKET KIT TO FIT TO OLDER BIKES AS I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO RIDE MY BIKE TO WORK 365 DAYS A YEAR THIS WOULD CURE THE CARB ICEING I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING YOUR COMMENTS WOULD BE MOST WELCOME ,BY THE WAY BEFORE I FORGET GREAT WEB SITE KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

Tracey, I've no idea about the RGV fork, but someone else here might know.  Fitting the EFI to the older model will be expensive and tricky. As well as fitting the throttle bodies, the exhaust, sensors and engine management units will also be required. I could be wrong, but it might be easier to trade up to the new bike.

Hi, Bemsee are going to be running a new race series in 2003. It's called 'MiniTwins' and allows for any four stroke, two cylinder machines under 650cc. Tuning is not allowed, aside from an exhaust, filter and jet kit so should provide some close racing. I have included the latest rules and regulations in case anybody is interested. Thanks, Mike

This has already been covered below (1st Nov) but I thought it worth repeating. Click the icon for the rules and regs. John 

Hi John, I was wondering whether the new headlamp bowl from the 2003 SV650 will fit on our 'old' naked bikes? I would really like to fit the new chrome item. Has anybody taken a close look at this? The main problem with the SV650 headlamp assy. is that the height adjuster bracket lies below, whereas the Bandit item (another option which I looked into) has its own on the left hand side. Hope the new bike can fit. Looking closely at this picture I found on your site seems that this is possible.

Stephen, I've no idea whether these headlights are interchangeable. Can't say I looked too closely at the naked SV. I'll post this, but I think it's too early to get a good response considering the lack of 2003 Sv's. You might have to wait until they appear in the dealers. Regards John.

John, I think my experience below in buying a euro import would help some people. Rody Thanks for sending this in. Make sure imports are converted properly before you buy. Not sure what the police would do if they stopped you with this problem, but they might do you under the Vehicle construction and use regulations. (I'm not sure I got that name exactly right) John.

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I bought my SV650S from Taz Motorcycles in Peterborough in Nov '02. The sales guy said it was imported from Holland with the lights and clocks modified to comply with UK road laws.

After a few days riding I noticed the headlight conversion was not done properly. It still slants up on the right a bit, and a few oncoming cars flash me because they thought I had high beams on

I spoke with a Taz service mechanic and the he tried to fix it by sticking a "deflector" (ones you buy at Halfords) on the headlights to cover the top right side. Riding back home in the rain, the deflector lasted 1 whole day. Called Taz again to complain and went thru the drill of speaking with the service guy, his supervisor, the sales rep who sold me the bike, and eventually the sales manager.

Before speaking with the sales manager I read the UK "trading standards" laws and found out that if a product is not "fit for use" the consumer is entitled to a full refund. In this case the bike is not fit for use on UK roads because of the euro slant headlights. Arm with this information I asked the sales manager for a new headstock. At first he wanted to split the £300 cost 50/50, but I said I won't pay 1 pence to fix the problem. He talked to the general manager and eventually agreed to do the conversion for free.

Kudos to Taz for getting the problem resolved. They tried their best not to replace the headlamps (dip the beam more, use deflectors, splitting the cost 50/50) but armed with consumer laws I managed to enforce my rights.

I've searched sv650.org and svrider.com for similar stories but I only found a few bits and pieces. Hopefully this story can help people who have bought or are considering buying euro imports.

John,   looks like I missed you on Friday, I met up with a guy called Ian (Stones) who said he had met you and Kev.   Not a bad show, didn't like the SV much and I hate to admit I did go and look at getting an RSV 1000 yesterday!!   Anyhow, here is what I got up to at the bike show.  thought it was rude not to!   sorry they are quite large pics, best to keep the quality and detail in them I feel!!!   Cheers   Pete  I'm not surprised you missed me, I think you may have missed the bikes too ;-) Here are some of the fairer attractions of the bike show.

Hi John, After the bother with St. Albans Dyno James Holland sorted it all out and managed to squeeze 88BHP out of the bike for me. Here's some pics of it for your site. Regards Jack. Looks good and should go good with 88bhp.John

John, Found this site while checking for fixed camera's. Should be of interest to anyone riding in North Wales, especially if we have another ride out there next year. http://www.arrivealive.org.uk/home/  Also here is another site people may have already seen, but for those that have not, it should give some useful info on the types of camera's etc (BTW did everyone realise that the M6 North J5 - J7 has SPEC's camera's in operation, the type that always take a picture regardless of speed and measure your average speed to the next camera. They don't work with bikes though :) .....) 

http://www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk/  Cheers Doug  Thanks Doug.

Hi John, A couple of pics of my bike with the Headlight Mesh from Julian Sarboiu, it's reasonably easy to fit, provided time and care is taken, don't scratch the fairing!!. Saw the new SV/SVS 1000 at Phillip Island last month, most comments I heard were not too complimentary about the styling, March 2003 we get them here in Perth, so we'll wait and see. Compliments on the Site, a credit to you and a bloody fantastic bike!! Cheers, Chris

John,   I feel I must take point on your comment of the ZX6RR. Beauty as they say is in the eye of the beholder! As you know from previous postings my wifie rides an SV which I of course use at the moment as my Kwaker ZRX1100 was removed from my garage by a Thieving toerag. Now I love riding the SV, but  I myself have only owned the Big K since 1983. I went to the show to look at the new SVs with a thought to buying the 1000 as I have been so impressed with Cath's 650, sorry to say now you are talking about an ugly bike!!! (as I have said Beauty is....). So it is back to the Big K with the New Z1000 and I don't really care cos If I want to have some 'small time fun' I've still got Caths 650 to blast on!! Nice fotos from the show and lots of detail on the SVs Keep up the good work Mark I quite agree, my tongue was in my cheek as I wrote that comment. I like the new Z1000 though, that does appeal to me.

Thought these pictures of my sv650 might be of interest. They certainly interested me. I've written back to John asking for more detail.

John, We recently sent you some pictures and details on a new product we where producing and you very kindly posted the information on the site (see last month in Archives), any way we now have prices for the billet cylinders. The price for Brand New billet cylinders to turn your 650cc machine into a full 750cc including all relevant parts needed to make the conversion which include, pair of billet cylinders, H/D stud kit, head gaskets, and piston kit £1499.00 including vat, fitting will be £250.00 including vat.

We also have a couple of special offers until 20/12/02, limited numbers of frame slider kits (white only) reduced to clear £51.99 including vat. (When they are gone they are gone)

Also we can offer for the same period the following as supply/fit only (so cannot supply parts only at these prices); M4 alloy can system, (high or standard) stage 3 jet/air filter kit fitting of all parts and full dyno set up. £720.00 including vat (normally £799.00) Thanks. JH

Kev and I made our annual pilgrimage to the Birmingham Bike Show. I think we both enjoyed it more than last year for some reason. We met up with Ian Stones, who had already been to the show. He gave us a quick tour of the good bits and treated both of us to a pint, cheers Ian.  After lunch Ian went off to look for a jacket whilst Kev and I browsed the rest of the show.

Some nice new bikes are coming to the UK in the spring including the SV of course. I was disappointed in the Ducati 999, didn't look finished to me. The new Kawasaki 600 also looked ugly. 

A close up look at the new SV showed some improvements but also had a few disappointments. Do the designers think that we all live in California? Why doesn't Suzuki GB hassle Japan about the plain stupid things like the front mudguard. It looks even shorter than previous. The exposed rear subframe is going to rust just as badly as the current model, the only difference being is that it now everyone can see it, great!  I can see the first essential purchases being a fender extender and a hugger. Here are some SV specific shots showing some of the detail changes. I'll post the other NEC shots on a separate page.

John, Thought I'd send you a few pics of the "latest phase" updates I've made to my SV.

It's now yellow (I noticed ;-\) and the tank has been molded to match the MV tail. I did the work in Bondo then made a mold from the tank and made a carbon fiber part that was bonded onto the tank (after removing all the Bondo), smoothed in and, ta-da!, it looks pretty good. (I agree, the transition from tank to rear bodywork looks very impressive)

The front end  has Race Tech springs and Gold Valves. Tires are Dunlop D208.

The shock reservoir is now mounted under the seat. (looks very neat)

Next phase is: Full carbon fiber MV replica gas tank and 1/2 fairing with MV mirrors, totally revised exhaust system, wheel updates, Wave rotors, steel front lines, a custom carbon chain guard/hugger and those custom decals.

My riding buddies are all encouraging me to just buy an MV but, hey, anyone with money can have one of those...! Ride safely, Chris Baker

This is a very impressive conversion, the attention to detail is superb. As Chris says, anyone can have an MV, there's only one of these. Just not sure about that colour. See also the original article in the articles section. 

Greetings! Time and trends have moved on, and both the design and content of our website had become outdated. Therefore we have completely reconfigured and redesigned our site! Our new official home page can be found at: www.akrapovic-exhaust.com  We are no longer using our old address at www.akrapovic.com , to which we no longer hold the rights! We would like to ask you, to update a direct link on your website to the current Akrapovic home page. We hope that both you and our customers will be satisfied with our new website, and that it makes a successful presentation of our work, products and achievements. We know that the Internet and websites are media of unlimited possibilities which require constant attention and development, therefore we will continue to improve and update our website! We wish you happy reading and viewing!    Respectfully yours,  the Akrapovic exhaust system technology team No I'm not getting a free exhaust from this plug but I know a few of you use this system and thought you might be interested. John (links page also updated)

John. Here are some pics of the SV 1000 from the show. IMO the new 650s looks horrible, they have squared the rear tail fairing off. I still prefer my 2000 SV, in fact it's the best bike I've owned. Regards. Steve. Thanks for these Steve, should see the thing in the flesh myself on Friday.John

My 2 year old SV that's done 36k miles, it's done a fair few trackdays, some trips around France and winter of commuting, still goes like stink though! I've had the suspension tweaked by MC techniques, and a Renegade exhaust fitted, and she still makes 74bhp at the crank!! It's been a brilliant first bike, thoroughly recommend one.

I hope you don't have these yet. just some pics culled from Bike. There are new colours and slightly adjusted styling, little bit more angled. glad to see the change in management didn't mean a huge change in design also. And yes, it's been that long since my last visit. As for me, hopefully I can solve my financial situation and be back on two wheels next year. And the Thou' will definitely be the one I think.   Enjoy.

John Saw your message about winterising and tyres which prompted me to reflect on what I have used over the 24,000 miles I have covered. As an old fart who started when scraping the tips of the toes was an achievement due to tyre grip I don't go round dragging my knees but do get complaints from those following that I don't slow down for the corners. 

My first experience of radials had been on a Revere which managed 15,000 plus from an AV 232(?) Avon designed for medium weight bikes (not now available as far as I can tell from their website). While I knew that I would not get this sort of mileage from the type of tyre required by the SV I had hoped for 5,000 at least with careful use. Below is a list of mileages achieved (rear only, fronts generally did a bit better). 

Original MEZ 4 - 3732 miles. No problem with these as tyres but the poor mileage was alarming for a harder compound tyre. 

Dunlop D207 - 4965 miles. Good mileage for a softer tyre but the profile took a bit of getting used to and the canvas was showing at this distance (it had been a long holiday trip).

Avon Azaro sports touring - 4286 miles. I have used and liked Avons for many years but these were a disappointment with the occasional loss of grip. Most of this distance was covered with an emergency plug in the tyre, albeit inspected frequently, and this seemed not to be a problem even at speeds which would have been highly illegal on the road in this country. 

Contisport - 3748 miles.(eek-John) I had high hopes of these, with the supposed harder middle strip, but, whilst good tyres with no handling problems (despite the slating by MCN), the mileage was poor. I met the Conti man at a show and he explained that it's not really a harder middle but a soft middle with a very soft outer. 

Michelin Macadam 90 - 6590 miles and more to come.

Great. A good tyre to ride and, on a camping trip to Italy, it coped two-up with everything from very hot tar to the inches of snow at the summit of the Sommelier during the Stella Alpina. A bit squared off now but no more so than the others were at less than half the mileage. I see no reason to change to anything else if I can get more of these superseded tyres. 

Having said all that about the Macadams, the guy in the office car park with the BT 020s on his ZX 1200 has done 5,000 with very little apparent wear, so these much dearer tyres may be worth a try. Keep us informed on progress. Cheers Peter

Well the Conti is fitted, so too late to turn back now. I'm not overly concerned about mileage. I'm looking for a tyre that gives me confidence above all else. For interest the mileages on my Sv rears are, Mez - 5212, Avon - 4425, Avon -4787, Conti - ?  It's a pity the Macadam is now longer available. Not sure how the replacement Road Pilot compares.  John

Hi John, I just had some work done by James Holland, and we found some disturbing news with regards to the work done recently on my bike by another firm called St. Albans Dyno. St Albans has done more damage to my bike than good.  I received the bike with a butchered undertray, no Dynojet kit which I paid for, threaded screws and a ridiculously bad exhaust system.  Last but not least, the extortionate price tag for the work of a muppet.  I was wondering if you know of a good way of me warning others, not necessarily sv owners of him. Regards Jack 

It's a sad fact of life that there are cowboys in every profession. The best I can do is post your warning here. Off the top of my head, a couple of things you could do is contact the local trading standards officer. They might already have a file on this guy, also drop a copy of the letter to some of the bike mags including MCN. It would be foolish of any publication (inc this one) to slag off a tradesman based on the evidence of one customer, they might leave themselves open for litigation but again they may have had other complaints and feel that they are on safe ground to make accusations of rip-off service. If anyone is thinking of going to this company for some work, I'd do some checking on their previous work first. Thanks for the warning Jack.

John, I thought the following may be of interest. How to install a wireless doorbell to use as a remote silent alarm 

1. Buy a decent wireless doorbell - I got mine from B&Q for £30, it has a 200m range - the range you need obviously depends on how far your garage is away from your house, but bearing in mind that you will need to transmit through walls then go for at least twice the range you think you need. As far as I know the maximum is 200m - therefore if you garage is more than approximately 100m from your house then you are on a non-starter, also if you have buildings between your garage and house then that may cause problems.

2. Fit the door sensor - I currently have an up and over garage door specific door sensor - it is basically an easily adjusted mercury tilt switch. I will be replacing it with a push to break switch as the mercury one is not sensitive enough - it allows the door to be opened quite a way before making contact.

3. Adapt the transmitter - this is the bit I had the fun with, I first tried to bypass the internal push button and wire it directly into the door tilt switch - this did not work due to some obscure radio interference problem. So I then removed the internal batteries, extended the contacts outside the transmitter and used a switched (by the door switch) pack of AA batteries to suit - 6V in my case. This has the advantage of being cheaper than the internal CR2032 batteries and lasting longer.

4. Mount the transmitter - choose somewhere as close to the house a possible, bearing in mind that it will not like transmitting through walls - mine is mounted on the ceiling meaning an almost line of sight to the house. 

5. Wire it up to the door switch - make sure that the cables are a covert as possible. 

6. Mount the receiver - again, obviously as close to the garage as possible, mine is hanging from the window frame closest to the garage. 

7. Relax - safe in the knowledge that if somebody opens your garage door, you will get a nice doorbell sound in your house, allowing you to step outside with a suitable sized Maglite (obviously not for assaulting someone, but to enable you to see where you are going :) ) Andy

John,  I have been busy working trying to get this put together with Tim, and we really need to get as much response as possible. I will keep you posted will any further news. James Holland

MiniTwins
Are coming to Bemsee for the first time in 2003. An outline 18-day program visiting many major circuits in the UK is being drawn up. Everyone serious about racing a MiniTwin with us in 2003 should complete this form (click on icon below and cut and paste into your email) ASAP and return it either E-mail or snail-mail to me
TiM Jones, Oaklyn, Nash Lee Lane, Wendover, Bucks. HP 22 6 BG.

Regulations are being finalised to include any 4-stroke twin up to 650cc. Standard frame, forks, yolks, wheels, swinging arm, brake callipers in accordance with Supersport type regs. Race bodywork and exhaust is permitted and no slick tyres are allowed. This will be a great fun series with minimum budget.

An ideal series for the complete novice, clubman, or experienced rider alike. Compete at a good standard with a more user-friendly machine.

Entry fees for the complete championship will be just over £1200 for 2 races per championship round,(36 races in all). Trophies to the first three riders and championship honours at the end of the season await.

On top of this, the rider must have an ACU Road race License, Bemsee club membership by the start of March ‘03 and have registered their interest in the series through this form NOW.

Non-license holders should contact Bemsee (01304-831714) and start the ball rolling to be in good time for the 2003 season start. Please copy, forward and distribute this form as you see fit.   Be part of the fun from the word GO!

Apologies for the lack of updates towards the end of October. There was a problem with the email server and I had no access. I'm assuming that anyone who may have written would have had their emails bounced. If you have written recently and I haven't replied, assume the email got lost and please resend.

Not much to report on a personal front. I finally got the rear tyre ordered and it will be fitted this weekend. Whilst cleaning and winter proofing the bike last weekend I noticed that the front tyre is looking a bit sad too. Plenty of tread in the centre but the right hand side is looking low.  With this in mind it seemed a good time to consider another brand. I find the Avons a bit too light on the steering.  I was considering the Michelin Road Pilot but in the end I went for a ....Contiforce. Why? Well some colleagues at work had used them on their SV's and found them similar to the Bridgestones for grip and wear but cheaper.  I checked out some reports on the web and got plenty of good vibes. Time will tell. I'll give the front another month and then swap that to match 

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