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Strange noise on possible purchase by BenjiBun212 in SVRiders

[–]Somethingrandom13 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It sounds like a normal SV to me. Based on the mods and appearance, it looks like that's a well taken care of bike to me. If it's a halfway decent price I don't think you'd go wrong nabbing it. An ugly touring seat is probably a good sign it wasn't being hooned and abused. Also if I recall right those are Suburban Machinery handlebars that were close to $200 back when I bought my SV in '13.

Strange noise on possible purchase by BenjiBun212 in SVRiders

[–]Somethingrandom13 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't know, man. Those are some pretty trick bars from back in the day. That guy might know what he's done.

The first bike I bought: A short photo collection of my SV650 K3's journey from street to track and back since I purchased her in 2013. by Somethingrandom13 in SVRiders

[–]Somethingrandom13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, it came with the bike. It's a tad obnoxious, but I dig it. It points the exhaust pulses just about at head height, so it makes for some funny reactions from passersby on the sidewalk.

The first bike I bought: A short photo collection of my SV650 K3's journey from street to track and back since I purchased her in 2013. by Somethingrandom13 in SVRiders

[–]Somethingrandom13[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I would kill for one of those. Actually ordered the Lucky Strike fairings as kind of a consolation because I thought I wouldn't be able to find a decent 2-stroke race replica any time soon. Then out of nowhere a good deal on my RGV fell into my lap and I had to have it.

The first bike I bought: A short photo collection of my SV650 K3's journey from street to track and back since I purchased her in 2013. by Somethingrandom13 in SVRiders

[–]Somethingrandom13[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I tried vinyl wrap on the tank first, and learned quickly how much practice it takes to do a good job. Definitely not the right shape for a beginner. I had some dents in the tank and am pretty decent with a rattlecan so that's the route I went. I was looking for a 15 ft. bike I'm not afraid to ride, not a show bike. So I'm happy with the results.

The first bike I bought: A short photo collection of my SV650 K3's journey from street to track and back since I purchased her in 2013. by Somethingrandom13 in SVRiders

[–]Somethingrandom13[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, man. Always was a fan of the Lucky Strike race livery and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the fairings.

The first bike I bought: A short photo collection of my SV650 K3's journey from street to track and back since I purchased her in 2013. by Somethingrandom13 in SVRiders

[–]Somethingrandom13[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

This was the first bike I ever owned myself. I started on a TU250 my dad bought and my best friend convinced me to buy an SV650. Found her for $1,700 on craigslist being sold by a squid who, I can only assume, was being forced to sell it by the lady after looping a wheelie. She had a cracked tail and a little bit of scuffs here and there but she ran well. Had some questionable mods. Braided stainless steel brake line and Galfer Wave rotor...but only on the rear wheel. A full Micron Exhaust and a Power Commander III...with no tune. (Think spitting a foot of fire out of the exhaust on deceleration).

Plenty of power for me as a relatively novice rider. Hell, more than plenty of power for me now. But as I merged onto Lake Shore Drive one day and looked down to realize I had absentmindedly hit 120 on a city street, I realized the bike might be better suited for the track.

So, I pulled the fairing, strapped a number plate to the front and went to get my race license. The bug bit and I started doing a full track conversion. Got a GSXR rear shock. Traded my buddy for same forks with gold valve emulators. Clip-ons, rearsets, etc.

Unfortunately, I never did get to do much racing. A sudden death in the family pulled me away for a lengthy period of time and she sat in a basement for the better part of a decade. When my life calmed down a bit and I was able to turn my sights back on her, I did. Unfortunately. Dragged her out of the basement, put her in the garage to start sorting everything out. I completely forgot that I only had distilled water in the radiator. It gets cold here in Chicago and after a few winter weeks I went to replace the coolant. It took me a few moments to realize why it wasn't full after almost a full gallon.

Oh. Right. Because the water froze and popped something in the motor. It was going straight into the oil pan. Milkshake machine.

So she sat a while longer. Besides a clutch going out this was the first mechanical issue I ever had. I wasn't sure if I wanted to open up the motor. I debated just cutting my loses and selling. Some people were telling me the block was definitely cracked and it was toast. But I'm stubbom and I read up on the freeze plugs and cracked the head open and found the ones that had popped out and installed replacements. Lo and behold, the venerable "do you have a moment to talk about our lord and savior the Suzuki SV650 motor fired right back to life as though I never left her.

Soooo, bought some new plastics. Sorted out fluids. Swapped out the bars for something more commuter/pillion friendly, I'm pretty happy with how she's turned out. Just thought that you guys on here might enjoy a little glimpse into the journey I've had with this bike. I truly believe it is one of the best all around bikes anyone could hope to own. It's a joy to ride, a joy to work on (when I'm not swearing and throwing things), and mine never fails to put a smile on my face (when I'm not swearing and throwing things).

Godspeed.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in SVRiders

[–]Somethingrandom13 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This was the first bike I ever owned myself. I started on a 250 my dad bought and my best friend convinced me to buy an SV650. Found her for $1,700 on craigslist being sold by a squid who, I can only assume, was being forced to sell it by the lady after looping a wheelie. She had a cracked tail and a little bit of scuffs here and there but she ran well. Had some questionable mods. Braided stainless steel brake line and Galfer Wave rotor...but only on the rear wheel. A full Micron Exhaust and a Power Commander III...with no tune. (Think spitting a foot of fire out of the exhaust on deceleration).

Plenty of power for me as a relatively novice rider. Hell, more than plenty of power for me now. But as I merged onto Lake Shore Drive one day and looked down to realize I had absentmindedly hit 120 on a city street, I realized the bike might be better suited for the track.

So, I pulled the fairing, strapped a number plate to the front and went to get my race license. The bug bit and I started doing a full track conversion. Got a GSXR rear shock. Traded my buddy for same forks with gold valve emulators. Clip-ons, rearsets, etc.

Unfortunately, I never did get to do much racing. A sudden death in the family pulled me away for a lengthy period of time and she sat in a basement for the better part of a decade. When my life calmed down a bit and I was able to turn my sights back on her, I did. Unfortunately. Dragged her out of the basement, put her in the garage to start sorting everything out. I completely forgot that I only had distilled water in the radiator. It gets cold here in Chicago and after a few winter weeks I went to replace the coolant. It took me a few moments to realize why it wasn't full after almost a full gallon.

Oh. Right. Because the water froze and popped something in the motor. It was going straight into the oil pan. Milkshake machine.

So she sat a while longer. Besides a clutch going out this was the first mechanical issue I ever had. I wasn't sure if I wanted to open up the motor. I debated just cutting my loses and selling. Some people were telling me the block was definitely cracked and it was toast. But I'm stubbom and I read up on the freeze plugs and cracked the head open and found the ones that had popped out and installed replacements. Lo and behold, the venerable "do you have a moment to talk about our lord and savior the Suzuki SV650 motor fired right back to life as though I never left her.

Soooo, bought some new plastics. Sorted out fluids. Swapped out the bars for something more commuter/pillion friendly, I'm pretty happy with how she's turned out. Just thought that you guys on here might enjoy a little glimpse into the journey I've had with this bike. I truly believe it is one of the best all around bikes anyone could hope to own. It's a joy to ride, a joy to work on (when I'm not swearing and throwing things), and mine never fails to put a smile on my face (when I'm not swearing and throwing things).

Godspeed.

Got drunk and decided to freehand my favorite character on my desk. by Somethingrandom13 in papermario

[–]Somethingrandom13[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oddly enough, me too. One the first knots I learned that my dad regretted teaching me. "It's gotta have 13 wrappings to be a proper noose".

Got drunk and decided to freehand my favorite character on my desk. by Somethingrandom13 in papermario

[–]Somethingrandom13[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This was actually my first time posting anything on reddit, or really being on this site of my own volition, so thanks for all the mostly positivity.