First start after long storage.

Hi all, just bought a kz 1000 m1, 1980.
It's been dry stored for 23 years, any recommendations on the best way to spin it over for the first time. Dont want to do any damage.

new oil, new gas, make sure it turns over by hand, pull the spark plugs and look at them carefully to see if there is any damage indicating a previous issue. Then crank it for several seconds with no spark plugs in it till the oil pressure light goes out. then start it up as normal. If you want to be extra careful you could pull the valve cover off first and lube up the cams before cranking it at all.

Put a teaspoon of oil in each cylinder and turn it over with the plugs out first.
Steve

Thanks Steve, can I turn it manually some how or off the starter ??

If you don't want to use the starter just put the bike in gear and turn the rear wheel. Ed

You can use a 17mm wrench on the crank under the timing cover. I wish I had done that when I got my bike running after 15 years. Could have saved a piston.
Steve

I would do a complete Tune up. Carb overhaul, oil change and valve adjustment. The pouring of oil into the cylinders and over the valves/cams is worth doing also. Don't use the starter until you know the pistons are free and the cylinders are lubed. If there is a kick start, use that to turn the engine over until some oil is moved through the engine.

Yeah, good advice. Plan on doing a complete overhaul at some point in the future, but first I need to check that nothing is seized. Gonna be a long slow process cos of work etc etc..