Topic: Can't seem to get oil flow after oil change?

[neurotoxin312]

I did an oil change on my 1976 CB550 and can't seem to get oil flow. I don't want to start her up unless I am absolutely sure that there is oil running. Bike was running perfectly fine before.

I check the tappets on cylinder 1 & 4 and I don't see any oil over the rockers. I also spent about 5 minutes kick starting the bike to get things flowing, as well as using the starter.

[flybox1]

on my CB750, if i really want to get all the old oil out of the system before new goes in, i'll pull the plugs and kick the bike over to expel any old oil sitting in the pump and lines.
this creates a problem as once the bike is started, it takes a while for the system to prime and get oil up top.
to protect the top end during re-start, and, assist in priming the oiling system, i'll always pour one quart in through the tappet covers.  the rest goes in the oil tank. 
the oil pressure light goes out withing seconds of starting.

IIWY, i'd drain off some of the oil, and pour it up top. . . and then just start it.

[70CB750]

Two things:

After oil change I crank the starter for 40-50 seconds to make the oil light go off.

On my project, I wanted to check if oil was delivered to both sides of the head.  I used popsickle stick - got a back of those in the shop, very handy - and stuck it through the valve adjustment hole alongside the valve spring down to the top of the head.  I pulled it out and there was oil on the end of the stick - verified it was safe to run the engine.

[neurotoxin312]

Very interesting ideas. I do have an oil pressure gauge that I can connect and use but I am not sure what that will tell me. I expect the pressure to start to lower once oil starts flowing?

I'll pouring some oil over the valves and start once I am finished and get the tank on the bike.

[flybox1]

dont worry about the pressure gauge, just start it.
if your light doesnt go off in 5-7 seconds, shut it down and investigate.

[neurotoxin312]

My bike did not come with an oil pressure light installed. The cluster was removed at some point. Is there anyway else to tell?

[Bodi]

Remove #1 or #4 exhaust tappet cover, look in with the engine running. If you see oil splashing around, there is oil getting up there. That doesn't tell you if the oil pressure is good but at least lets you know the pump is working.

[MCRider]

Remove #1 or #4 exhaust tappet cover, look in with the engine running. If you see oil splashing around, there is oil getting up there. That doesn't tell you if the oil pressure is good but at least lets you know the pump is working.

In my experiemce with a CB750, you don't have to look in. It will splash out rather quickly and make a mess.   

[neurotoxin312]

Well then I hope to get that "WE STRUCK OIL!" feel when I start her up next week!

[Vinhead1957]

Crank it with the kill switch in the off position and the plugs out if you are worried.

[Cqyqte]

on my CB750, if i really want to get all the old oil out of the system before new goes in, i'll pull the plugs and kick the bike over to expel any old oil sitting in the pump and lines.
this creates a problem as once the bike is started, it takes a while for the system to prime and get oil up top.
to protect the top end during re-start, and, assist in priming the oiling system, i'll always pour one quart in through the tappet covers.  the rest goes in the oil tank. 
the oil pressure light goes out withing seconds of starting.

IIWY, i'd drain off some of the oil, and pour it up top. . . and then just start it.

+ 1 for this method!

I too have a CB750 and have had difficulties getting oil pressure after changing the oil and filter, so I follow this method of pouring a liter of oil in the valve adjustment hole and then crank the motor over with the coil disconnected.  Usually two cranks with the starter and the oil pressure gauge starts to climb.

[Don R]

 On an engine that was oiled a few minutes ago I'd just start it up, on a known dry engine that has sat for an extended period I use a tool made to add compressor oil to an auto AC unit. I adapt the fittings to the gauge adapter on the end of the oil galley, put the oil in the tank, add compressed air and the pressure light will go out for a minute or two while the engine is oiled. I turn it over while oiling it too.

[Garage_guy_chris]

Well I have now primed started and changed the oil on my 750 once and i have a few things to add.  750's are dry sump and that creates a little more complexity with a simple oil change unlike every other bike honda made in this period which are wet sumps.

on my CB750, if i really want to get all the old oil out of the system before new goes in, i'll pull the plugs and kick the bike over to expel any old oil sitting in the pump and lines.
this creates a problem as once the bike is started, it takes a while for the system to prime and get oil up top.
to protect the top end during re-start, and, assist in priming the oiling system, i'll always pour one quart in through the tappet covers.  the rest goes in the oil tank. 
the oil pressure light goes out withing seconds of starting.

IIWY, i'd drain off some of the oil, and pour it up top. . . and then just start it.

1. Regarding ^ this post, I wouldnt worry too much about getting every last bit of oil out. In my opinion this is just likely to cause the oil pump to loose its prime and cause extra run time to re-prime that extra run time with little to no pressure is more likely to cause damage then some old oil that didn't make it out. No matter what you do theres always gonna be oil that doesnt make it out. 

on my CB750, if i really want to get all the old oil out of the system before new goes in, i'll pull the plugs and kick the bike over to expel any old oil sitting in the pump and lines.
this creates a problem as once the bike is started, it takes a while for the system to prime and get oil up top.
to protect the top end during re-start, and, assist in priming the oiling system, i'll always pour one quart in through the tappet covers.  the rest goes in the oil tank. 
the oil pressure light goes out withing seconds of starting.

IIWY, i'd drain off some of the oil, and pour it up top. . . and then just start it.

2. This is a good idea, especially on a 750 it gets oil to the valve train, cam chain and in the pan so the scavenge side of the pump stays primed after a oil change

3. Don't particularly worry about the top end the damage will occur to the crankshaft bearings much sooner if being starved.

4. When you change the filter you replace it with the filter housing empty this takes a second to fill after a oil change, if you want to avoid this prime the engine after every oil change. On a 750 one can accomplish this on the right side oil gallery plug on the other 4's im not sure.

[Dunk]

Not sure about a 550 but on my 750 after doing top end and oil pump it took forever to get oil flowing. I pulled the galley plug out the right side by points cover and backfilled with oil while on the side stand. Crank a bit with plugs out, fill galley some more, etc... Eventually got oil flowing out that hole, plugged and cranked until oil in the head, then installed plugs and let it fire.

[rotortiller]

I have always drained the oil, changed the filter, installed fresh oil, started the bike and watched the oil light go out. I do this on all bikes and cars. I have never squirted oil in tappet area or tried to get the oil light out with the kick starter etc. at oil change time. Running at idle for 5-10 seconds or so after an oil change won't hurt a thing waiting for the pressure to come up. There should be a good coating on the tappets from the last use, like while you warmed up the oil for replacement! LOL

[PeWe]

I have always drained oil, remove filter-new filter, new oil. Use el starter untill oil pressure and start it.
Sometimes just starting it with my eyes on the oil pressure lamp ready to switch off after 10 sec without pressure with running engine.
Never a problem.

[70CB750]

I have always drained oil, remove filter-new filter, new oil. Use el starter untill oil pressure and start it.

The K0 and the K3F, both get this veruy same treatment, works every time.