Oil draining question.

[stevo as b4]

Im finally going to be sorting my ZX6R out this weekend, since im not working or having other things found for me to do.
The question i have is:
The bike has not been ridden or the engine started since Jan04, the bike was put away clean and its been hooked up to my optimate so the battery should be fine.
Now i know i need to change the oil and filter, but seeing as the engine has not been turned over or run for over a year i would expect the top end to be completely dry of oil. So should i drain the old oil cold which is never the best way to get all the old oil out, or should i try to start it and let it warm up, so that i can drain the oil more easily? If its best to get it running first, then how can i firstly turn the engine over on the starter without it firing up, as my bike's starter does not operate with the kill switch off? I assume that just starting it normally could mean there's a good chance it will be starved of oil, and may damage the engine.
Also i want to drain and flush the cooling system, so should i do this before i prepare to run the engine, or wait until ive drained and refilled the oil, and the engine is cold again?
Lastly i want to change the front fork oil, but looking in the manual it seems theres no drain plugs in the forks, so i will need to remove them completely. Is there any way to do this, as i dont have a front paddock stand, just the NWS one that attaches to the swing arm spindle. If i cannot safely remove the forks then i will have to leave this job to a shop i suppose, but i guess its quite time consuming, and therefore costly!
Thanks!

[loply]

I believe you can lubricate the engine by running the starter motor but not allowing the engine to start?

Or is there some other method?

One way or another I imagine you can get through this situation without igniting a bone dry engine.
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Yamaha SZR660 Caution to the wind, the throttle pinned!

[stinkwheel]

I don't know if this is right but I would be inclined to change out the oil, it should all be sat in the sump ready to drop out. Correct me if I am wrong folks.

Turning over without starting. Leave the fuel off? Don't switch the choke on? Leave the ignition off and short across the terminals of the solenoid with a bit of metal to turn the starter over without poweriing up the electrics?

I would leave the coolant for now. As long as there is something along the lines of coolant in there and up to the level. One thing at a time and all that.

Fork oil, big syringe and a long bit of pipe to suck it out.

Did you put fuel stabiliser in the tank when you laid it up? If not I would junk what is in there, put fresh stuff in and allow it to run through the float bowls by opening the carb drain screws for a short time with the fuel tap on prime. Unstabalised unleaded will have gone totally rancid after 12 months in your tank, if in doubt, smell it.
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I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[carnislick]

it shouldn't cause any damage being starved of oil. it'l start pumping almost instantly and if it's just ticking over it wont get too hot for a while and by the time it does oil will be well circulating.

if ur reaallly worried i guess u could tip a bit of oil down the top of the cylinder where the spark plug goes in, probly just be worse than just starting it up like i sed though.

Paul
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Paul

[Kickstart]

Hi

I would change the oil, but get the engine started first. The old oil will have already done any damage it was going to do (with use it becomes slightly acidic, and attacks bearings and the like over time). Once the oil is warm then change it.

I would be tempted to crank the engine over for a while before starting it. However I suspect that you will have to crank it over for quite a while before it starts anyway.

All the best

Keith
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