Archive

SV650 Build Journal April 2013 – October 2015

Every build entry written by Nick Graveley over the course of the project, in the order it was written. Long-form and image-led.

2013

7 entries

  1. 15 Apr

    Start of a new project!

    WOW, the start of a new project! This blog section recounts the development of my stripped down SV650 single-seater project.

  2. 09 Jul

    Bike sourced, stripped and in the new workshop

    The bike is sourced, stripped and in the new workshop. In the last couple of months I've managed to source a 2003 model SV650 in reasonable condition.

  3. 18 Jul

    Preparing the buck and starting clay work

    Preparing the buck and starting clay work. Before starting to put clay on the bike, a secure base, or "buck" has to be prepared.

  4. 21 Aug

    Time to start roughing in the design

    In the last post, I'd just started to load up clay. Now it's time to start roughing in the design I had sketched out previously.

  5. 30 Sept

    Clay development

    Development in clay lets you try out all sorts of new ideas quite quickly. Whilst roughing in one idea, I'll often see something that sparks another idea.

  6. 29 Nov

    Finishing the clay

    Having gotten the design to a place I was mostly happy, it was time for finishing the clay and to copy the design over to the right hand side. It would undoubtedly need some tweaking, but once you can see both sides it's far easier to make a good judgement.

  7. 04 Dec

    Taking moulds

    With the clay complete, it's time for taking moulds, and crack on with making some actual components.

2014

5 entries

  1. 25 Apr

    Fuel Tank

    Without a doubt one of the biggest challenges has been the development of the custom SV650 fuel tank.

  2. 05 May

    Airbox Design Change

    One of the biggest issues I've had with the design to date is the airbox cover which was to incorporate a friend's development TFT display for the speedo.

  3. 19 Jun

    Finishing the Bodywork

    After finishing the bodywork and fuel tank and putting the bike together it was apparent that there was a significant issue with the running of the bike.

  4. 20 Jun

    Slovakia Ring test

    After the mammoth journey to the Slovakia Ring test, we were ready to hit the track. To say I was nervous, is a massive understatement.

  5. 15 Oct

    Making the bike legal

    So in making the SV650 road legal, I've made several modifications since the Slovakia Ring test. Firstly, the rear number plate carrier, which also carries the mudguard and lights has been added.

2015

5 entries

  1. 24 Feb

    Headlight fairing development

    The last big job (or so I thought!) is to get the headlight fairing made. This would involve the usual process of clay modelling, and then taking a mould off, with the exception that this would have to be a double sided part to allow the headlight to be bolted in.

  2. 05 May

    Full Strip Down before Rebuild

    Full strip down before rebuild of the SV650 project bike.

  3. 25 May

    Aluminium fuel tank

    I pressure tested the tank to 1 bar of pressure, so although the surface isn't 100% perfect, this aluminium fuel tank is well constructed and fuel tight.

  4. 01 Sept

    SV650 Rebuild

    With all the parts back from the powder coaters, it's time to start the SV650 rebuild.

  5. 23 Oct

    SV650 Finished and Photographed

    Finally got the Suzuki SV650 finished and photographed by my friend Anna Llewelyn.