Starting an engine for the "first" time.

[User Name]

After having the engine out of my bike to replace the valve seals, it's all back together and back in the frame. I'm just waiting on some PAIR valve block off plates and a few miscellaneous bits before I can fire it up. Just wondering if there's any tips or things to watch out for when starting an engine after it's been more or less drained of all fluids.

I always fill my oil filters with oil before installing them so the engine isn't running dry while it pulls the oil from the pan and through the filter. Would spraying a little WD40 in the cylinders provide any measurable lubrication before the oil gets pumped up? What about the coolant, any tricks there to get it all flowing ASAP? Obviously I'm going over everything and making sure all the hoses and clamps are on right and tight... The warm weather is on it's way and I can't wait to get this thing back on the road.

[Grashopr]

I personally pull the plugs and turn the thing over with a drill on the crank a few times to get oil to the top end before I 'start' it... also I run 5w20 oil in it for a few hundred miles, but that's me, and I dont know much.

[Choco]

^exactly correct, and a great idea....most damage is done in the first few second of turning over when the journals are dry.

my father got me into the habit of using vaseline on all bearings during a build, which helps reduce the damage. if possible, you can just turn the oil pump if possible to at least fill the oil runners.