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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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25 Apr
Fuel Tank
Without a doubt one of the biggest challenges has been the development of the custom SV650 fuel tank.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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05 May
Full Strip Down before Rebuild
Full strip down before rebuild of the SV650 project bike.
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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.
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01 Sept
SV650 Rebuild
With all the parts back from the powder coaters, it's time to start the SV650 rebuild.
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23 Oct
SV650 Finished and Photographed
Finally got the Suzuki SV650 finished and photographed by my friend Anna Llewelyn.