Motorbike Engine Explained

I bought an old SV650 engine so I could take it apart and take a look inside. This video is a basic explanation of how the engine works together to create drive in my v twin. Big thank you to AJ- thanks for helping me make this video!

[@suspectii]

The SV650 was my first bike and a few people before me had it as their first bike also. I bought it with 80k miles and sold it to a friend for his first bike. I learned all maintenance on it and had to at one time or another replace the clutch, the intake boots, the radiator, the fuel petcock valve and overhauled the carbs. I REALLY wish this vid was around then. I had a book, some tools and a crap ton of courage. I still miss that bike. Thanks so much for this. It was great!

[@theone2be33]

So peaceful to listen to you

[@joshuafarnsworth2809]

You're a great teacher! Not many people are good at simplifying compex concepts in a way that anyone can understand, but you succeeded.

[@andrewpaulcooper]

A complex topic succinctly explained, as you usually do. Great to see you posting again.

[@TamsenCooper]

Thanks for the nice comment, It took a while to put together but I really enjoyed it!

[@jameswambugu5527]

What a teacher, was looking for somebody to explain or teach me motorbike mechanic. Thank you so much madam I salute you.

[@hh750x]

Hi! Finally, at the age of 64 someone shows me, and explains, in a good way, how a clutch works inside the machine. Thank you ! :-)

[@TamsenCooper]

You are welcome! Thanks for watching, and taking the time to drop me a comment, I really appreciate it

[@oneluckycat]

Best intro on an engine I've ever seen, I'm going to show my son. Thanks Tamsen

[@TamsenCooper]

Wow, thanks!

[@stephencory2904]

Great stuff, many thanks. I have a K3 with 33k miles and suspect I need to check valve clearances and also have an upcoming clutch replacement so it was good to see inside the SV engine. After your explanation the clutch does not look quite so scary now.

[@TamsenCooper]

I am very pleased it was helpful and that you enjoyed it. Thanks for taking the time to comment, it is appreciated.

[@willbrodhead7359]

That was great, really clear explanations, too. Thanks from California!

[@riturajborpujari7108]

Have seen animation videos showing how engines work and all. But to see an engine taken apart... to see how everything fits in; its a different experience altogether. Great video

[@EdA-dp3nk]

thank you for such a clear explanation of how a bike motor works. As a someone that is a new to motorcycles and looking to purchase a bike this is very informative... as I try to get familiar with how the engine works on a bike.

[@TamsenCooper]

Pleased it helped, thanks for watching, hope you have hit the subscribe button, more videos are coming soon!

[@kevinlindsay296]

Really good demo. Far better than some videos done by guys! I wanna build a chopper with a V twin so an SV could be a good donor. Knowledge very limited and there’s little out there in the way of courses. This type of video is one of the more useful ones I’ve viewed. Hopefully find out some more about ignition and timing. Thank you.

[@brad3201]

Ever end up building that chopper?

[@runnervxr210]

This lady is a very good teacher

[@joellehner6643]

Thanks for the explanation, Tamsen! Did a great job at connecting all the jobs of the individual components into a single working unit.

[@Nunx69]

I have the same SV ... and that was soooooo cool to see !! Thank you so much !

[@TamsenCooper]

Pleased you enjoyed it! It was good fun filming it, and I learnt a lot too!

[@JohnMarchan]

Thanks for sharing! I rode an SV for 6 years without ever having seen what the inside was like.

[@subtlegroove9867]

Tamsen Cooper is back, yay!!

[@TamsenCooper]

Thank you! *Smiles*

[@ralphvalkenhoff2887]

I just bought a 08 SV650 and am so excited you took the time to show the workings of this motor. Thank you so much. Loved it!

[@TamsenCooper]

Glad it was helpful! It was pretty cool seeing the inside for myself too!

[@kyle6521]

Best Sv650 content creator. Your videos have helped me tremendously with my sv650 thank you

[@gregpettit1439]

Thanks Tamsen! I've worked on these things for 40 yrs.or so, and I can tell you, many people do wonder, just what is in there? Especially on a water cooled motor, that from the outside, there are not many clues! Well done!

[@JorgeRojas-ik7ly]

Awesome video Tamsen Cooper! The (2001) sv650 is my second bike. Since owning it, I’ve pretty much seen all your videos. They’re really helpful and awesome!Cheers from Bronx, NY!

[@TamsenCooper]

All the way over in New York, that is pretty cool! Thanks for your nice comments I am so pleased you have found them helpful.

[@oscartravis5740]

I'm watching every video I can on this subject and this was brilliantly explained, thank you 🙂

[@anthonyscott16]

Excellent tutorial! Thanks so much for the wonderful lesson. Have a great day.

[@thisguy8100]

Literally about 15min out from doing my first work on my sv and these help sooo much! Thank you!

[@TamsenCooper]

How did your first job go? What were you working on?

[@quorrexnoway9127]

If every teacher in school had such a soft and calm voice and explained every subject with your enthusiasm then A+ would be the lowest grade xD Awesome Video!

[@TheMorgster]

What an awesome video. Best explanation I’ve seen of how a motorcycle engine works

[@brentsmith4394]

Brilliant video got an SV 650 myself gives me the confidence to have a go thank you

[@tharindudanushka4709]

one of the best explanation video about motorbike engine on youtube. Very simple. Easy to understand. Thank you!!

[@menmentantan5591]

I have a (1999) SV-650S（41,000KM)and he started to make dry sound from front cylinder. (Chi Chi Chi Chi ~~) You gave me a opportunity to study English and Engine Stricture at once.Many TKS.

[@prathapchandra]

best explanation for how a clutch works! looking for more such videos.

[@sonyyoung1036]

Clear explanation of how the engine functions and its related components. Super job!

[@ramwax]

That was a well explained engine video I ever seen, without any computer graphics, thanks:)

[@richmighty1752]

Great video! I love the sv 650 so this was brilliant to watch. Thank you!

[@TamsenCooper]

I am so pleased you enjoyed it, thanks for taking the time to drop me a comment!

[@mistabubble1858]

That was very interesting, thank you. I have to check my SV valve clearance soon. It's great to see the actual mechanism so clearly.

[@TamsenCooper]

I am really pleased you enjoyed it, I will make a valve clearance video, but I wanted to see inside first, and it was pretty fascinating to see how it all worked!

[@mistabubble1858]

It is amazing. All those parts with such tiny clearances, whizzing around together at high speed. They make a lovely noise too :) Thanks again. Very much looking forward to your valve clearance videos.

[@agavehouse]

The SV650S totally rocks..the torque and engine breaking makes it my urban commuter bike of choice for journeys under the hour...longer rides and the bikes is a tiring beast !

[@FrostBlg]

Very nice video and good explaining. Seems easy to maintain. Got an SV650 myself quite good bike.

[@TamsenCooper]

Thanks- I think the SV is a cracking bike, looks great and is lovely to handle! Thanks for watching!

[@eduardoayala8454]

That was awesome! I appreciate you. Clear and educational. I had fun watching u pull it apart and explain everything

[@sarah4531]

Great video! I just bought my first 600cc bike and this was really useful to get the gist of how the engine works. Thanks!

[@jiminfield6303]

Brilliant tour of the engine with very clear explanations. Thank you.

[@dominiccanis406]

One of the best explanations of combustion engines on KZbin!

[@Rhunyen]

Great vid. Takes the mystery out of the basics of a moto engine.

[@ErikAndTheMadness]

Awesomely insightful. I'm starting to learn about bikes now and this has been the most enlightening presentation. Thanks for explaining it all so clearly and simply.

[@TamsenCooper]

Thank you for leaving such a nice comment, I am really pleased you enjoyed the videos!

[@pauldavies5199]

That’s quite possibly the best video I have ever seen on youtube! Thanks for making it and very happy to see you back

[@TamsenCooper]

Wow, What an incredible compliment, thank you very much for watching and taking the time to comment. (It has proper made my day!)

[@daddydan1000]

Excellent video after watching this gave me the confidence to change the front cylinder head on my bike

[@isabellesackville-west7817]

This is fantastic!! I have been trying to learn more about motorcycle parts and specifically how the engine parts assemble together and function so that I can help my dad rebuild his Bandit and this is BY FAR the best explanation I have seen. Thank you!! :D

[@thomasende1543]

Juhu! Finally a new video of you. A great explanation of how the SV engine works. Thanks and keep it up.

[@TamsenCooper]

Thank you, I am so pleased that you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@Marcinciecierski629]

Hello, greetings from Poland, thank you very much for your help and nice movie. 👍👍👍I changed the timing chains and everything is fine, thanks to your movies. Good job 💪💪💪.

[@TamsenCooper]

I love hearing from people in different countries! It is amazing how far away people are and watching these videos! I am so pleased it helped and thank you so much for watching.

[@haithamsherby7134]

great and elaborate video, many thanks from Egypt!

[@pissingeverywhere]

Impressive! I'm still stuck on how the clutch works, but it was excellent seeing how the stuff literally works on an actual engine.

[@TamsenCooper]

It was really good fun to take apart! I am pleased you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

[@madeleinegillett5892]

Your clutch is made of 4 main components, the inner basket, outer basket, drive plates and friction plates. The outer basket spins constantly with the movement of the piston via a series of gears meshed together. The inner basket is attached to one of the gear shafts and does not always move. The friction plates have little pads on them which are used to grip onto the drive plates when the clutch is engaged. The friction plates fit into the outer basket and the drive plates fit into the inner basket and so when the clutch is engaged and the clutch plates are spinning, they make the drive plates spin and thus the inner basket and gear box spin as well. The whole clutch is held together by bolts with a spring put between them and the clutch cover. These springs mean that the friction plates and drive plates are constantly held tight together so they all spin. When you pull on the clutch lever, it pushes a rod, known as the psuhrod, through the middle of the inner basket and it pushes against the clutch cover. This extends the springs and takes the pressure off the friction plates so that they are no longer able to spin the drive plates with them. When you let the clutch out again, the rod retracts and the springs pull back in to put pressure on the friction plates which in turn, make the drive plates spin with them. The reason there are so many plates is because a motorcycle clutch has to be compact and only larger engines are able to use a single friction and drive plate, like a car engine.

[@Rodztar13]

Best explanation I've found on KZbin yet! Thank you very much!

[@TamsenCooper]

Thank you Juan. I hope you like my other videos too. Thanks for watching!

[@RIDDLE0MASTER]

Very clear and informative! I like that you demonstrated on an actual engine, rather than using diagrams or fancy 3d animations.

[@AynZ72]

Thank you for taking the time to explain.. More bids for beginners please..

[@stakar970]

Sv650 first generation for ever. Tamsen we want to see a total rebuilt recontraction of sv650 from crankcase to top end it will be the best video ever for sv650 funs

[@BlackThor15]

Thank you so much for sharing such amazing video, I wish there were more, well done!!

[@eugenereisch2047]

Brilliant video, Tamsen! Looking forward to viewing your other videos

[@TamsenCooper]

Thanks Eugene, I have some good content coming up!

[@markymark4357]

Very well explained & documented, I’ve learned a lot. Thankyou

[@razu1976]

This is the coolest video I've seen in a long time. I've also never *really* understood how clutches actually work. Now I know!

[@LorenziLéo]

That's really cool! Thank you for that, I already kinda knew how an engine works and all, but still didn't put my hand into my SV as it do not need it (except valve clearance soon). Seeing it like that makes it very easy to understand, and makes me less afraid to take things apart!

[@TamsenCooper]

Your comment is exactly why I take the time to film these videos! My entire aim was to make it easier to understand and take some of the fear away! Thanks for taking the time to post such a lovely comment.

[@francescooper5619]

A great investment getting the extra engine, very clever way to see inside your engine safely x

[@Leave_Nothing_Stock]

I just bought a 2001 sv650 thats in pieces for my first bike/project. Your videos have been a great help in figuring out where all of these boxes of parts go. Was wondering if you could do a video on the parts of the transmission and how they fit together. Thank you for all your videos

[@TamsenCooper]

Hi, that sounds like an amazing project! You are not anywhere near Cornwall are you? If so I would give you a hand! I will add the transmission to the list as that would make a great video! Thank you for your nice comment.

[@ahmedabbas3998]

Lucid explanation from this cute lady. Thanks.

[@TheMotorcycleMuse]

Great introduction to opening up and looking at a motorcycle engine

[@Niamhcotts]

Great to see you do most of your own maintenance 👊

[@TamsenCooper]

Thank you, I do love taking things apart and seeing how they work! Thanks for watching.

[@zshawn676]

finally found one that explain it clear as crystal after looking so many

[@mehditaheri2190]

the best bike engine dissection ever. Many thanks

[@ziddikhan]

Superbe,,very well technically explained,,A big thanks from 🇫🇷 Hats off

[@Apollo949]

I've just bought an SV so your videos are useful because I'm not familiar with them. I also have an FZ1.

[@jinanthabandara6127]

Perfect explanation Thank you very much!

[@martinw2893]

Great stuff. .that was pure alchemy to me but really interesting. .love my sv and great to see you back tamsen

[@TamsenCooper]

Thank you, pleased you enjoyed it.

[@blaisewyant5237]

Greetings from Toronto. Thanks so much for this very clear tutorial. Not sure I’ll take apart my Tiger 800’s engine but your video helps me understand what the heck is going on in there:)

[@talsakivibez4891]

Thanks for the informative video entering motorcycle repair tech school trying g to get ahead! Thank you and good health to you 🙏🏽

[@eighttracklover1]

Great to see you back!

[@TamsenCooper]

Thank you!

[@rogerwilliams4742]

Well done! Very easy to understand.

[@stephenmorris7368]

My sv running on one cylinder after I check the basics like the spark plugs etc what else should I look into its a 2005 fuel injected sv. Started one day and it's just ran on one cylinder any ideas?

[@josephgbocchino]

Thank you for doing these great videos, you are doing a super job, very clear, very good camera angles.... you rock...

[@leeayoub4854]

Love this video. I'm new to motorbikes because of $$$ I'm 42 and fiiiiinaly got my first bike suz sv650s I believe. But this was awesome and I could understand.. well best I can but I learned heaps..😮😮

[@1963opera]

Awesome explanation , thanks Tamsen and what a great bike the Sv is lovely .

[@TamsenCooper]

Thanks Robert, the SV is a fantastic bike, it has helped me learn how to ride and given me the confidence around maintenance. Thanks for watching and thanks for subscribing, I hope you like my other videos too.

[@smeggysmeg2837]

awesome explanation, particularly on how the clutch works.

[@ArronAdams1990]

I didn't want this video to end! lol I'v got a 99 sv that I'v owned for a few months it's been temperamental to say the least, I'v watched nearly all of your videos as i want to get to know my sv the best i can, this video was fantastic! will you be posting more videos about the sv? Thanks :)

[@TamsenCooper]

That is very nice of you to say, thank you. Yeah I have plans for some more videos coming up...

[@cosmozellman]

This is perfect, thanks you so much! Your videos are so informative and easy to follow, please keep it up!

[@TamsenCooper]

Thank you, I am so pleased you liked it. Thanks for taking the time to post a comment, it really is appreciated.

[@JohnRandall1066]

Oh Lovely. Thank you for the video. I really like how you're into actually explaining it all. This was a very helpful little refresher for me as Im hoping to do one or even 2 restorations on my suzuki VX800 and VS750 engines, while I study power tech at the Bristsh columbia institue for technology. I tore them down a few years ago, and only know have access to all the special machines I need to build up from split crank cases.

[@DrDinkle]

1:25 "Brilliant" Your whole channel is brilliant! I appreciate you making very easy to understand videos all about the SV. Good teacher right here :))

[@mountainbearoutdoors]

such a good bike, after 12 years since I let my old one go for a bandit i am about to get a new one.

[@Matthews_Media]

Would love to also see a full rebuild video of this to show us how we can do it at home!

[@michaelarnaldo7810]

Excellent breakdown! Thank you

[@alangrant5278]

I was curious if the face matches the cute voice. Confirmed! So pleased I found this channel. Great videos. Thanks.

[@billdone2199]

Best explanation of this style. Also has that super calming voice 🙂. Could you make more videos?

[@TamsenCooper]

Thank you! Working on new videos as we speak!

[@roncondon7445]

Great video!! It was thoughtfully performed. Your enthusiasm for mechanics really shows in your videos. Thank you, and have a nice day

[@commissarkitty3553]

Great video very clear and straight forward

[@phillarge7167]

Great video, shame you stopped when you did. I was hoping you'd carry on to take the crankshaft out. Bearings have apparently gone on mine. Still runs but noisy.

[@MegaMadal]

Brilliant videos. Very informative. Could watch you all day. 😊

[@billybaker8529]

I have a 05sv650s ihad to change my stator in now my transmission won't engage idk what would have went wrong watching your video has given me a great view of the inside of my motor

[@gamerexvoid2251]

Trying to get into engineering, this really helped me out

[@TamsenCooper]

Engineering is a really cool field to get into, I hope it goes well for you. Thanks for watching!

[@Demonhuvud]

Thanks! You're a great educator!

[@timtravasos2742]

Superb explanation. Thank you.

[@justanothertechie]

That was a great video ! Thank you so much Tamsen. I own Strom 650 XT and it has the same engine as SV650 ( if i am not wrong ). This video helped me understand what is where and how everything is connected which makes the bike move. Loved it !!!!

[@TheTonedfit]

And she's back! Don't leave it so long next time please!

[@TamsenCooper]

Thank you, it feels great to post a new video, thank you for your nice comments.

[@edgarsosa8741]

Thank you for explaining it in such a simple way! great video.

[@TamsenCooper]

Thanks Edgar, I am so pleased you enjoyed the video, thanks for taking the time out to post such a nice comment!

[@lucashucci4207]

brilliant video, thank you so much 👏

[@samsont2884]

I NEVER INDERSTOOD THE CONFIGURATION AND FUNCTINALITY OF ENGINE TILL THIS VIDEO; GREAT VIDEO KEEP IT UP

[@TamsenCooper]

Thanks Samson! I am so pleased it helped. I must admit, it was a lot of fun taking it apart!