Topic: Will the oil light go out just from cranking?

[Scott S]

 '71 CB500

 I have the engine in the frame, fresh battery, fresh oil/filter, plugs, wires, caps, etc. Basically everything I need to make it run except fuel.
 I kicked the engine over several times once I added oil. When I got the battery installed I checked to see if the starter works (it does) and have turned the engine over many more times with the starter button. (Man, that stock starter seems kinda wimpy, but it'll drain the battery down but quick...good thing I have a trickle charger).

 The red oil light on the idiot panel stays lit. Will just turning the engine over be enough to make it go out or does it need to run to actually build oil pressure?

[MRieck]

Did you pull the plugs when cranking it?

[Scott S]

 No, I did not. I did pull one to check for spark. I guess that would make it easier to crank, huh?
 Will pulling the plugs allow me to turn the engine over fast enough to build oil pressure?

[Scott S]

 Pulled the plugs and cranked it over with the starter and the oil light goes out. Woo-Hoo! It will go out when I kick it over a few times, too.
 I'm getting closer and closer to firing this thing up for the first time in nearly 30 years!

 That brand new battery seems to lose it's punch pretty quickly, though. I'll keep and eye on it and return it if it doesn't act right.

[cookindaddy]

This is all good. I'm about to do the same thing.

I saw a tip that as well as what you are doing (making sure the oil light goes out) is that you should pull one of the cam covers for each cylinder and make sure that the oil is getting all the way to the top end when you do the cranking. You should be able to see oil pissing out of the rockers at each position. Makes sure all the passages in the head are clear.

[Steve F]

This is all good. I'm about to do the same thing.

I saw a tip that as well as what you are doing (making sure the oil light goes out) is that you should pull one of the cam covers for each cylinder and make sure that the oil is getting all the way to the top end when you do the cranking. You should be able to see oil pissing out of the rockers at each position. Makes sure all the passages in the head are clear.

Yeah, that's a good idea.  TIP: Don't remove the caps on the EXHAUST side or oil will run all over the place....only remove the intake caps while running/cranking. (don't ask me how I know this).   
Steve F

[cookindaddy]

Ah yes! Thanks

[midnightrider]

I'm getting ready to crank my '72 CB350F (not running for 12 years or so), so should I follow this procedure as well? 
What would be the step by step procedure for first time (in a long time) cranking?

Im gathering this:
-have new oil in the bike
-remove plugs and crank engine - checking for oil light to go off
-remove intake valve tappet covers to check for oil making it all the way up while cranking
-replace plugs and try to start it

Do I have this right?

[cookindaddy]

That's the way I understand it.
I think that you can have the caps removed at the same time as the plugs. The oil light going out and the sight of oil in the top end should happen about the same time if all is well.

[scottly]

I'm getting ready to crank my '72 CB350F (not running for 12 years or so), so should I follow this procedure as well? 
What would be the step by step procedure for first time (in a long time) cranking?

Im gathering this:
-have new oil in the bike
-remove plugs and crank engine - checking for oil light to go off
-remove intake valve tappet covers to check for oil making it all the way up while cranking
-replace plugs and try to start it

Do I have this right?

In this case I would also squirt some oil into the plug holes to lube the pistons.

[Scott S]

 I did that as well as squirt some oil on the tappet adjusters when I adjusted the valves.
  (It goes unsaid that I did pretty much a regular tune up along the way. New plugs, oil filter, coils/wires/caps, set points gap, etc.)

[scottly]

Fire that puppy up!

[bucky katt]

mine will flicker off and on with the kickstarter and goes off almost immediately when i hit the button.