What to check before you start up the engin

[Sora]

I have a 175 duel twin that I'm fixing up and was wondering what I should look at/replace before I try starting up the engine for the first time.

[rwgibbon]

No matter what else you do use a oil gas mix.

Good luck and enjoy.

Randy

[mnmrider]

Do you mean premix at first to make sure the oil pump is primed?
Marc

[rwgibbon]

Correct.

[Sora]

How much oil should I mix into the gas?

[BS Mechanic]

I'd go 20:1, but the exact ratio isn't critical, you want enough to cover for the injection pump on startup in case the pump has an issue.

Just good insurance against damage if the pump isn't working!  As soon as you're sure the pump is sending oil to the engine you can switch to straight gas.

[Sora]

Is there anything else that I should do?

[rwgibbon]

Have you checked or changed your transmission oil?
(I use straight 30 wgt. motor oil)

Is the inside of the tank clean or have you added
fuel filters?

Have you checked for spark and cleaned your carburetors?

Randy

[Sora]

Yes I did all of those. Also should I add fuel filters or are they not needed?

[BRT-GTR]

          Fuel filters are never a bad idea, especially on an old bike. A single mesh filter was originally fitted to the fuel tap, reserve pick up tube only, the short one but most owners fit one to both pick up tubes, extra insurance. 

  You don't say if you have rebuilt the engine. Would it spin over when you got the bike. The chrome bores tend to chip or bubble if the pistons are sat for a long time. Lift the heads and check if you haven't already done so. Does the clutch free up ? Ignition timing reset ?

    You should then be good to go.                                         Brian

[Sora]

No I have not rebuilt the engine and I still need to free up the clutch and set the ignition timing.