Topic: Is this anywhere near normal? 550K0 smoking.

[Dimitri13]

I just discovered it today, because my right mirror was angled downwards enough to see my muffler.

So I put my GoPro on my helmet backwards and did some riding. After looking at the muffler in the mirror and watching the video, I've concluded that it'll only smoke under these conditions:

The big puffs of smoke came from giving it agressive throttle after decelerating.
Not sure if you can tell in the video, but there's small streams of smoke from decelerating.

There seemed to be more smoke coming from higher RPMs (7k+) than lower RPMs (5-7k), and no smoke at even lower RPMs (<5k).

I've done a compression test and all the cylinders are near factory (125-140 iirc), and I only have one small leak from the head cover side cover. I'm also not low on oil.

Video coming soon because apparently it takes about an hour to upload 60 seconds of 1080p HD video...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2sm0CI0JPQ

[lone*X]

Your video isn't working for me but from your description it may be valve guides/seals.  How many miles are on the K0?  When you chop the throttle at speed the slides close in the carbs but your speed is keeping the engine turning which relates to increased vacuum during the intake stroke as no fuel/air can come from the carbs.  The increased vacuum pulls engine oil down past the valve guides if they are worn and the exhaust stroke then pushes the oil mist out thru the hot exhaust, causing smoke.   If the bike runs OK, doesn't use an excessive amount of oil, and your plugs don't foul, then don't worry about it. 

[Retro Rocket]

Your video isn't working for me but from your description it may be valve guides/seals.

+1 to both ....

[Dimitri13]

Yeah, the video was still uploading. It takes FOREVER to upload something to youtube. 1 minute took almost an hour. Forget about those 15 minute videos -.-

The engine only has about 22k on it. It runs fine and doesn't use an excessive amount of oil, and the plugs seem fine (other than running rich/lean from tuning). Come to think of it, I was chopping the throttle on/off when I noticed and recorded it. Guess that solves that. I'll keep an eye on my oil level more closely though.

[Tews19]

You really cant even notice anything... If you never put up the concern, I was thinking you are showing us a glimpse of the horrible riding weather ........... But like the others said, when somking like you state, guides/seals.

[bryanj]

Valve stem seal or rust mark in the bore from standing

[Danno]

it is sucking up oil into the combustion chamber on decel make sure you are using the right type of oil for the bike I am not going to say what type of oil as there are as many opinions about that here as there are buttholes (everybody has one)

it is possible that the guide seals have hardened and are leaking a little as said  by others if it is not fowling plugs I would not worry about it till it does  however it does seem to be oil

[Dimitri13]

Alright, thanks guys.

If it gets any worse I'll look into replacing the seals.

I'm not saying or asking which oil is better, but switching from conventional to (proper motorcycle) synthetic can cause issues with gaskets, seals, and o-rings, correct?

And are these the seals? If they are, thankfully I have them in my gasket set. If not, does anyone have a picture of it?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HONDA-SOHC-CB500-CB550-CB-500-550-VALVE-SEALS-VITON-/230739902193?hash=item35b92b7ef1&item=230739902193&pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

[bryanj]

Thems the ones but if you pull the head to do them you relly need to pull the cylinders too and do the base gasket and "O" rings as the same nuts hold the lot down