john you are right we did clean the fuel system from the tank forward, i was conscious of the cost of a dead tank needing transport all the way to your place.
don't over think priming the fuel system, just crack a union after the filter and suck it through with a cheap plastic bulb pump (like the ones you get on an outboard)
you can't really double declutch on the way up the box, only works on the way down due to loosing speed. you need to learn to stick change. it's quite easy and you'll be super slick once it's mastered. engage clucth, move gear lever to neutral, flick any steering tiller back, engage next gear. release clutch. simples
