oil burn, HELP!

R

Rgorrila

New Member
I have a 78 cb550k cafe racer which I purchased last summer. It has around 10,000 miles. As ive been riding, ive noticed major blue and white smoke after about 30 mins of driving. It only happens when the bike is very warm. Ive been told different things like I need to rebuild the top end completely, Ive heard i may need new rings and pins, a valve could be stuck. Do I need to buy a whole new piston kit? Or if the pistons are in good shape can i just get new pins and rings? I havent pulled the top end off yet to see the condition but im trying to get a better understanding of whats going on here.
Its my first go round with vintage bikes. please have mercy!
 
When was the last time the oil was changed and what type/ weight was used?
 
I havent personally changed the oil. It was done when i got her last summer in august..right now im putting 10w 30 cycle oil in there. Just to add. Im also not sure how much im really burning all I know is after about 30 mins shes a mosquito machine.
 
Do a compression test. A cylinder leak-down test would be helpful, too. These tests will determine the health of your pistons/rings/cylinders/valves. If compression and leakdown are OK, then it could just be valve seals. If you have clogged oil drain passages in the cam case, you would get smoking like you describe, and no rebuild would be needed.

If anything I said here doesn't make sense to you, Google it, and you will learn more. ;-)
 
In my experience with 550's they don't burn much oil, even when they have quite major problems.
Check oil isn't overfilled, bike has to be upright (yes, people do check on side stand and add another couple of quarts ::) )
Check engine breather isn't blocked or kinked (it's tube coming out of top of engine)
Oil will drain down cam tunnel, there are no other drains I remember?
Use 10w/40 oil
 
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