Can't remove oil bleed screw

[Padowan]

Reading the Haynes manual, after an engine overhaul I need to bleed the oil system. I can't get the bleed screw out from behind the filter, it seems stuck fast.

Can I just bleed through to the oil return pipe, or will I end up with an air lock somewhere if I don't do that first bleed step?

Any advice appreciated. The bikes been off the road for months and I'm itching to start her up!!

 

[Padowan]

No ideas anyone? I didn't split the casing but did remove and drain all the rigid lines etc on taking the engine out.

I've only managed to put 1.5L oil in up to the sight glass so there's definitely some space somewhere that needs to take about another 800ml.

 

[Padowan]

So in absence of any advice either way and after looking at the oil system schematics, I decided that as I didn't split the casing, I would just bleed it back to the return pipe. I disconnected this and span the motor over with the plug out several times, topping up the oil as I went, managed to get another ~500ml in before it started coming out of the return line. Re-attached the return line and then started her up - took a few goes before it ran, but it fired up eventually and sounded sweet. Lots of smoke from various exhaust parts that got covered in oil, but otherwise perfect.

After stopping I managed to get another 500ml of oil into the tank which gives a total of ~2.5L, which from the book is just about spot on.

Now I just need to work out why the horn has stopped working before I put her in for an MOT!!