After rebuilding the top end im seeking some advice on how to get the oil circulating, I've tried just using the starter motor but it doesnt seem to work, i haven't tried running the engine as it has no oil in it! How do you guys over come this?

How i did mine, i opened the inspection hole on the left cover & poured a load of oil direct in to the sump, then cranked the starter (with spark plug removed)

Not sure how others do it but it was just common sense to me to prime the pump.

Obviously you have to lean the bike over to the right to pour oil in, then screw the inspection cover back & have the bike upright when you crank it (not on sidestand)

Mezo.

Also be careful you have not put to much oil in the engine, a very common mistake.

Mezo.

Thanks for this Mezo
I see what your saying, if its good enough for you then it's good enough for me! seems a little odd I can't find anything written in the clymer manual (and I had a proper man search for the info)
Would be good to read others views / solutions on the subject.

Here are some posts on the subject.

http://www.tenere.co.uk/forum/viewtopic ... &view=next

http://www.tenere.co.uk/forum/viewtopic ... &view=next

http://www.tenere.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=1981

Mezo.

Top man Mezo
Thanks for pointing me the right way, used your method for priming the oil pump, worked a treat! cant help but think the timing chain is rubbing against something metal.
p.s I sent a donation towards the help i get from the forum.
Thanks mike.

anyware wrote:p.s I sent a donation towards the help i get from the forum.

Ahh so it was you, i searched your email but no results, thanks.

Mezo.

I'm coming in on this post a bit late, but my tale is worth telling.

I decided to do a full oil change on my 86 Tenere. I drained the sump in the normal fashion and while the bash plate was off I decided to drain the oil tank by disconnecting the oil feed at the crankcase. After it fully drained, I reconnected the pipe and topped all the oils up and began the process of bleeding the oil filter .... After a minute of running still no oil. I took the filter out - bone dry! I took the tappet covers off and poured loads of oil in. Tried again .... no oil. By this stage I'm getting quite worried. How could an oil change trash an engine!!

In the end there was no short cut. I took the clutch casing off, then stripped the clutch and hand primed the pump. Reassembled the clutch, clutch casing etc and tried again. The wait for oil was agonising, but it came with gusto in the end.

Lesson - when doing an oil change, drain the sump from the sump plug and the tank at the tank drain plug - do not empty the oil pipe to the engine. I've since done several oil changes (leaving the oil pipe well alone) without incident. Phew!!

One way out of that is to lean the bike to the right (not on the side stand) so the air bubble can go away upwards, out of the engine channel (which is horizontal, from oil line entry to the oil pump) and throuh the oil line into the tank. That removes the airlock over time, at least if the oil has room temperature or more.

Good you found YOUR way out of that.

Andy