I'm getting ready to start my 850 for the first time in a few months. Most of what I've been doing was cosmetic cleaning but some things are new like the oil lines to the head. Just wondering if I need to "prime" anything or maybe just pull the plugs and kick it over a few times to get some oil in the new lines up to the head ? Thanks, Glenn.

I'd certainly do at least the latter given new oil lines to the head. And I'd check them to make sure oil was flowing out of them....

BrianK wrote:I'd certainly do at least the latter given new oil lines to the head. And I'd check them to make sure oil was flowing out of them....

How would you do that? Just kicking it over, would that produce enough oil pressure to move the oil? I have a brand new engine and this spring I will be starting it for the first time. I'm interested of course in knowing for sure there is oil moving. Any comments would be great, and maybe for both of us, what weight oil to begin with? In the normal running of the engine I plan on 20-50, the 50 is a recommended weight from the 70's but seems way to thick for starting in the temp range of 50 degrees. I think a modern mutli grade makes sense with the correct sg rating for the zinc, I think thats right(?)

BrianK wrote:I'd certainly do at least the latter given new oil lines to the head. And I'd check them to make sure oil was flowing out of them....

Kicking it over sounds like enough.

Blissfull ignorance I never did anything like that ever Just kicked it and went. One spring, I guess there was so much oil in the crankcase, about one liter came out of the breather

Name witheld to protect the guilty

Jeandr wrote:Blissfull ignorance I never did anything like that ever Just kicked it and went. One spring, I guess there was so much oil in the crankcase, about one liter came out of the breather

Name witheld to protect the guilty

Wasn't going to admit it, but I agree and do the same. Never had any problems. Just check inside the oil tank lid to make sure there is oil returning with the engine running, means the pump is working.

I have a oil pressure gage so I will know when I have oil pumping, Think I'll just drain the oil from the sump replace clean oil in the tank kick it through a few times & go. You guy"s crack me up. especialy you Jean, I had just finished re- looking at the build pictures of your cafe racer when I read your post about drilling rocker spindles and you saying your not a good machinest! That made me laugh!!! P.S. I want you to make me a set of rearsets like those for my 850. I'm fairly sure I could live with the quality of your work... Glenn.