Parked MK3

scotnort75

scotnort75

Joined
May 26, 2016
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Hey folks,

I have a M3 that has been sitting parked for around 4 years.

Should I pull the spark plugs and put a little oil in the cylinders before starting this season?

Or will turning the engine over a few times without the ignition on be good enough to lube everything before starting? (without pulling the plugs and adding a little oil in the cylinders)

The starter motor will still turn the engine over if the kill switch is engaged but the engine won’t fire on the MK3’s.

What do guys suggest for starting a bike that has been parked for a few years?

Cheers!
 
...and drain the sump and put the oil back in the tank.
Very likely to blow a LH crank seal if you don't.

When you do first kick/electric it over - personally I'd do it without plugs first - and listen very carefully.
Cheers
 
4 years sitting I be doing a complete oil change/service, fresh fuel and a full going over, new brake fluid, clean the carbs the works, but that's me, not knowing where you are and how it has been stored, so a full going over before any start up and ride.
 
kommando said:
A spot of oil in the cylinders would do no harm but more importantly put some oil in the top so oil feeds down onto the camshaft which will be dry and more in need of oil than the rings.
Click to expand...
Hey kommando,

When you say put some in the top, what do you mean?

Also, much (quantity) in the cylinders and top?

Cheers.
 
zotz said:
The cam sits in a trough that retains oil does it not?
Click to expand...
The trough got smaller over time, it was at its worse once the Combat with its HI lift cam so all crankcases were machined for the bigger cam. Not sure if they reverted to a bigger trough for the 850. Anyway even if it was reverted I would not be hoping in 4 years would have not emptied it
 
scotnort75 said:
When you say put some in the top, what do you mean?
Click to expand...
Take an exhaust rocker cover off and pour 1/2 pt of oil in, replace rocker cover.

For the cylinders a spoonful in each spark plug hole and turn the engine over a few times on the kick start with the plugs out to spread it around.
 
robs ss said:
Probably the most critical lubrication joints on the whole bike! I would trust the "trough".
But, but - it was supposed to...
Click to expand...

I've always wondered how much of the trough was necessary on the Commando engine that leans forward unlike Dominator, Atlas, etc. upright engines and if the bike is parked on the side stand then the oil in the trough will mostly drain away.
 
Last edited:
The oil trough hardly exists on my MK3, and if I ever split the cases again, I will see whether it is possible to reinstate one, just for the cam lobes on that initial start-up. There's not much room, as there's the clearance for the big-end bolts to consider.

Whenever I wish to run a bike after a lay-up, my preference is to remove all three head inspection covers while squirting lots of oil onto the rockers and pushrods, then remove the sparkplugs, and take the bike for a walk in top gear, followed by draining the sump. I also do something similar with my old Guzzi and Velo'. It baffles the neighbours.
 

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