Quickie SV650 Fuel Cut Off

Storing your Generation 1 SV650 for awhile? We all know modern gasoline causes problems when left in the carbs. You'd really like to drain the float bowls before storage but it's a MAJOR pain on the SV because the carbs are tucked up under the tank so tightly. Here's a quick but functional alternative solution.

I installed a lawn mower fuel cutoff valve just upstream of the vacuum operated fuel pump on our 2000 SV650. The cutoff valve is about $5 at Advance Auto Parts (in the lawn mower parts section). I'm sure other auto parts stores have them too. That plus some additional fuel line is all that's needed. When I'm ready to store the bike I simply turn OFF the fuel supply and let the bike run until the carbs are dry. Takes about 2 or 3 minutes for the bike to "run out of gas". FWIW, most likely one cylinder will drop before the other. Try to keep it running as long as possible.

Installing the cutoff First remove the two chrome allen head screws at the front of the tank and prop it up to give yourself some working room. The hose on the left of the cutoff valve in this picture is the OE fuel line from petcock. I simply pulled the fuel line off of input side of the fuel pump and inserted the cutoff valve inline. An addtional few inches of 1/4" full line completes the connection. As you can see, I used a zip tie to keep the valve from moving around. Be sure to observe the correct flow direction on the cutoff valve (there's an arrow on mine). Don't be concerned about the loop; the fuel pump has more than enough suction to overcome the loop.

All Done! With the fuel tank lowered into normal position, the cutoff valve is barely visible but is easily accessible if you know it's there. It might even be considered an anti-theft device since the bike won't go more than a block or so with the fuel turned off and most likely a thief isn't going to go looking for why it quit.