Nearing the end of my first proper restoration project (1964 B40) and was wondering if anyone has any advice on the first engine start after a complete rebuild. Although Im confident everything is where it should be (!?) im conscious that when I start it for the first time things could go horribly wrong!. Any advice on how to reduce the risk of it all going BANG would be gratefully received.....
I always make sure that the top is off the oil tank so I can see the oil return , sometimes takes a while , and leave the carb open so that I can choke it if necessary . But im sure yours will be fine .
I like to take out the spark plug and crank the engine for a few minutes to push the oil around.
You may even see a drip or two come out of the return pipe which is always reassuring.
As above leave the oil cap off so you can make sure the oil is returning properly.
Dont be alarmed by the smoke coming off of the engine. It'll soon burn off. Listen to how it sounds. Check for oil leaks,
a torch is handy for that.
Run it for a few minutes once you're happy with it then check your gears select ok.
Let us know how it goes
:)
I think take the plugs out and kick it over a couple of dozen times
Mike 8) 8) 8)
One other thing I always do on an engine rebuild is to pour a 1/4 of a pint into the sump . speeds things up a bit .
All of above but I found that kicking it over a few times with the plug out doesn't really do much to prime the top end.
I was told in the past to put the bike in gear with the plug out and push it up and down the road a few times to prime the valve feeds.
If you leave one of the unions loose then you will see when the oil is reaching the top end. I was surprised how far I had to push my B40 until oil reached the top of the feed pipes!
I followed this procedure for the first start of my Victor after its rebuild. All went well.
http://www.triples.co.uk/articles/articles/sleepbeast.htm
Best of luck,
Rob
I would always reassemble and engine with oil on all the parts that need it , some oil on the piston and rings and cylinder, 1/4 pint of oil in the sump.
Oil in the pump, on big and small ends, rockers, cams etc. All working parts should be oiled.
Oil in the tank, and slacken the bottom hose until oil starts to seep out.
At the first start, in fact when you first kick it over, the oli in the sump will prime the pump and all will be well.
Mick
Many thanks for these replies. I have now started it and......all went very well (!) and so I now have a fully running B40. Looking forward to the weather improving so I can give it a full 'test'!
Nice to hear that another old BSA is up and running, well done.
Thought you might like to see the finished item :)
Looks gorgeous Alex! Where did you get the paint and chrome work done and wold you recommend them?
Cheers,
Bernie
Thanks Bernie.
The painting was done by Johnny at New Life Systems in Lincoln 07828 252514. Excellent, would highly recommend (but not cheap!)
Chrome is all either newly purchased (exhaust system) or cleaned up original. Mudguards are alloy that I have polished.
It was a great first project that I have loved doing, looking out for the next one now!