I Googled the matter to pass along a good procedure since I have heard so
many different methods. Some say use a warm engine others say cold. I
prefer cold. Some  squirt a little oil in each spark plug hole. I do not.
I have always removed all the spark plugs first. These guys don't:
http://www.2carpros.com/dia/how_to_check_compression.htm
I also hold open the throttle while the engine cranks. A couple of times I
attached a battery charger to try and keep the voltage even.
Good Luck,
Ken Lewis

On Thu, December 31, 2009 1:06 pm, Stephen Cebula wrote:
> I'm looking at an 84 Westy on Saturday.  The guy want $6500 for it.  It
> looks really clean but has 170K on the original motor.  He sent me a copy
> of the compression test he had done in 2007 when he bought it.  It shows
> 140psi on all 4 cylinders.  I'm planning on having another one done when I
> go look at it.  What would be an acceptable number?  I've heard 145-190.
>
> Thanks,
> Steve
>
>
>
>
>