Uh-oh!

Got the bike almost fully assembled today. Rewired the E/I and set the timing. Installed new spark plugs. Adjusted rocker clearances to specs. Installed the rocker feed oil lines. Installed new oil filter and filled with oil. Installed carb manifold using loctite on the inner cap screws. Installed the carb which I had previously cleaned. As it was getting late I put the battery on the charger and called it quits. Only thing left to do is install the fuel tank and connect the fuel lines. Start up tomorrow night after work. Just in time for the first cold snap of winter.
 
Larry S said:
Got the bike almost fully assembled today. Rewired the E/I and set the timing. Installed new spark plugs. Adjusted rocker clearances to specs. Installed the rocker feed oil lines. Installed new oil filter and filled with oil. Installed carb manifold using loctite on the inner cap screws. Installed the carb which I had previously cleaned. As it was getting late I put the battery on the charger and called it quits. Only thing left to do is install the fuel tank and connect the fuel lines. Start up tomorrow night after work. Just in time for the first cold snap of winter.
Click to expand...
Before starting it I would kick it over a bunch to prime the crank with oil so those big ends aren't starved at start up, or use the hand pump the workshop manual shows
 
Larry S said:
Just in time for the first cold snap of winter.
Click to expand...
Good luck! First starts: big grin, poker face, or big frown - I wish you a big grin!

It sounds like we are stealing your heat. Today is supposed to be in the 80s (+20 over normal) in the DC metro area. Our cold snap is coming on Halloween.

Forecast: today, 82 for a high, the 31st, 49 for a high and showers all day (when is it not cold and rainy on Halloween?)
 
BERT said:
Before starting it I would kick it over a bunch to prime the crank with oil so those big ends aren't starved at start up, or use the hand pump the workshop manual shows
Click to expand...
Tip , leave the spark plugs out and kick a lot to get the oil moving .
 
I forgot that I still had the exhaust to hook up so I got that installed. I need to prime the crankshaft before I start the bike. What is the easiest way to do this? The workshop manual says to use a banjo on the timing cover with a pump to prime the crank. How much oil will it take? I’m kinda worried about this as I don’t want to screw shit up at this point. I’ve got too much blood, sweat, tears and cash invested in this bike and I need to get it right.
 
Did the cam and followers get any cam lube before the top end went on? It sure helps. AT LEAST a good oil drenching. You can pour oil down the rocker/valve pockets and it will slowly work it's way down.

You can also "flood" the crankcase with a couple of quarts of oil, rotate it slowly with the kicker, then let it sit overnight. In the morning, drain the engine, make sure the tank is at the proper level, and have a go...
 
Larry S said:
Also how long before I start to see oil return to the tank after start up? Worried about this.
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If you filled the filter and you have some oil in the crankcase, it will be 30-60 seconds, if not, longer.

As grandpaul says, I pour some oil in each exhaust rocker area which makes sure the cam and tappets are wet and there's some oil in the crankcase. Lots of people kick them through a lot - I don't bother, but I use assembly lube on everything in the engine while building and I do kick them a few times once I've put oil in the tank to make sure the oil is in the pump.
 
Larry S said:
I forgot that I still had the exhaust to hook up so I got that installed. I need to prime the crankshaft before I start the bike. What is the easiest way to do this? The workshop manual says to use a banjo on the timing cover with a pump to prime the crank. How much oil will it take? I’m kinda worried about this as I don’t want to screw shit up at this point. I’ve got too much blood, sweat, tears and cash invested in this bike and I need to get it right.
Click to expand...
Prime the crank with a pump oiler before installing the timing cover.
Failing that, do what you mention above.
4.3 oz.
 
Larry S said:
I need to prime the crankshaft before I start the bike. What is the easiest way to do this? The workshop manual says to use a banjo on the timing cover with a pump to prime the crank.
Click to expand...

I've used an ordinary pump oil can and a small piece of rubber sheet with a hole in it as a 'gasket'.

Larry S said:
How much oil will it take?
Click to expand...

You've split the crank so you should have a rough idea how much oil it will take to fill the sludge trap (plus a little for the oil gallery) but approximately 200cc or so. When full, you should feel an increase in resistance to the pumping, then keep the crank close to the TDC position if the engine isn't going to be started fairly soon after priming to prevent the oil from draining out of the crank.
 
All advice above is accurate. For my piece of mind, I remove the plugs and kick it over until I see oil returning. Maybe 25 kicks before I see return.
 
Or, turn it over (plugs out) with the electric starter as it's an 850 Mk3. Personally I wait until the engine has started before checking the oil is returning although (partially?) priming the spin-on filter speeds up the return.
 
Or you could put a 1/2" drill with plenty of steam and a handle for your left hand on the crankshaft nut. This works really well. Hold on tight.
 
She lives! I fired her up today after alot of hand wringing. I filled the crank as L.A.B. suggested. Opened the petcocks, choke on and hit the starter button. It fired up right away but it was still an intensive time waiting on oil return to the tank. It only took about 20 seconds for oil to return. The bike ran great and sounded good. I didn't take it for a test ride because it was raining and 38 F. First halfway decent day it's on! I'm still elated about the results so far. Thanks to everyone that helped me get this bike up and running again! Larry

Sorry no video.
 

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Larry S said:
She lives! I fired her up today after alot of hand wringing. I filled the crank as L.A.B. suggsted. Opened the petcocks, choke on and hit the starter button. It fired up right away but it was still an intensive time waiting on oil return to the tank. It only took about 20 seconds for oil to return. The bike ran great and sounded good. I didn't take it for a test ride because it was raining and 38 F. First halfway decent day it's on! I'm still elated about the results so far. Thanks to everyone that helped me get this bike up and running again! Larry

Sorry no video.
Click to expand...
Great job !

BTW, having run it, you should check the head bolts before riding…
 
Larry S said:
She lives! I fired her up today after alot of hand wringing. I filled the crank as L.A.B. suggsted. Opened the petcocks, choke on and hit the starter button. It fired up right away but it was still an intensive time waiting on oil return to the tank. It only took about 20 seconds for oil to return. The bike ran great and sounded good. I didn't take it for a test ride because it was raining and 38 F. First halfway decent day it's on! I'm still elated about the results so far. Thanks to everyone that helped me get this bike up and running again! Larry

Sorry no video.
Click to expand...
Nice work 👍👍
 

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