barn find

[michael]

A friend bought a 1985 R80. Bike has been idle for approx. 6 yrs. I know to clean the carbs, gas tank, adjust valves, etc. What would be the best procedure for the engine before I attempt to turn it over?

[dougie]

I would say make sure it has oil, take the spark plugs out, rocker covers off, put it in top gear, and use the rear wheel to turn the engine over. See how it feels and listen for anything suspicious.
If that checks out, put the sparkplugs in their caps and ground them to the engine , then spin the engine with the starter to make sure oil is getting to the rockers, and again have a listen.

[Jean]

When dougie says "oil" he means oil in the engine, the transmission, and in the rear drive.
After 6 years and who knows what, you can't afford to ASS-U-ME anything .
Likewise, depending on where it's been stored (really in a barn?) you ought to check for nesting materials in the air intake.

[Scot]

put the sparkplugs in their caps and ground them to the engine , then spin the engine with the starter to make sure oil is getting to the rockers, and again have a listen.

I don't think ya wanna do that. The electronic ignition doesn't like it.

I can't tell ya what'll happen, but I distinctly remember that it's a no-no with electronic ignition.

[ME 109]

I don't think ya wanna do that. The electronic ignition doesn't like it.

I can't tell ya what'll happen, but I distinctly remember that it's a no-no with electronic ignition.

I remembered that after cranking my engine for 15 or so seconds with no plugs on the leads........

I did it when I rebuilt my engine after the oil bypass spring thing. Nothing happened. Lucky I guess.

[dougie]

put the sparkplugs in their caps and ground them to the engine , then spin the engine with the starter to make sure oil is getting to the rockers, and again have a listen.

I don't think ya wanna do that. The electronic ignition doesn't like it.
I can't tell ya what'll happen, but I distinctly remember that it's a no-no with electronic ignition.

It is a "no-no" to spin the electronic ignition airheads with the starter (ignition on) without having the plugs fire. That is according to the Haynes manual.
I always put the plugs in the caps and have them grounded by a wire clipped onto the cylinder.
Have done that many, many, many times.

[Jean]

AS long as there are sparkplugs in the leads and they are grounded to the engine, the electronic ignition should not be harmed. The harm happens when you disconnect a lead and there's no place for the spark to go! As in; making one cyl dead for carb adjustment.
It is easier on the ignition system to make a spark in atmospheric pressure than under compression, actually.

[Scot]

I stand corrected.

[Major Softie]

It's okay. You can sit back down now.

[dougie]

But you have to sit in the corner Scot.
To be fair, I once did spin it over about 3 or 4 revolutions before spying my ground wire dangling on the floor.