oil leak.a very very long shot

[zman]

Head gasket is leaking on cylinder 1.Are there miracle way of stopping or reducing the oil loss without having to change the head gasket?

I know theres not much hope.But you are a clever bunch of chaps so may be

[Jeff Saunders]

What makes you think the issue is the head gasket?

Most oil leaks come from the tach drive - the oil then works it's way across the head when the bike is left on the side stand.

[zman]

hi jeff
its def the head gasket.You can see the oil round the head at the side & back.Its also burning oil.But she runs like a dream.

[hillbilly]

replace the head gasket,and it will be better.or try putting an extra washer on the studs and tighten up more,but then you might snap the studs.
no easy fix this one.

[Jeff Saunders]

hi jeff
its def the head gasket.You can see the oil round the head at the side & back.Its also burning oil.But she runs like a dream.

While it's possibly the head gasket, it sounds much more like the tach seal from what you said. When riding, the oil is blown through the head and will appear all over the tensioner assembly and even on the top of the engine cases. If you want to make sure, clean the oil off with a good degreaser, then once the engine is dry, spray the gasket and tach drive area with foot powder and take for a short ride.

With the burning oil - are you leaving a trail under load (rings), or just when you shut the throttle when engine braking (valve guides/seals)?

[zman]

had not considered it may be separate faults.
To add to this then.When the bike starts up[on the first turn i may add] there is a big cloud of smoke for a few seconds.
I original thought the head gasket was leaking into the barrel.But may be the oil is getting past the valve seal.So theres a build up when left over night as it seeps past .

[Jeff Saunders]

The cloud of smoke on startup is typically worn valve guides or the valve stem seals. When the bike is sitting, a small amount of oil will make its way past the valve into the bore. If the smoke dissipates quickly, I would leave it alone until you need to pull the head off for other work. You will also see a trail of smoke when you shut the throttle at higher rpm and use the engine braking to slow down. By shutting the throttle, you create a vacuum in the cylinder as it tries to draw air through a closed carb - it will suck oil past the valve.

If you grab hold of the tach cable where it goes into the head (right front of the head) and get oil over you hand, it's likely to be the tach oil seal and/or the o-ring. You can remove the tach drive from the head to replace both. It's a fairly easy job - 10-15 minutes. We carry the tach seal and the o-ring, but you should be able to source from Z-Power or other local suppliers.

[zman]

Thanks for all your help Chaps.Leek now found.It was from the back edge of one of the head bolts.You could hardly see it.Now sorted.
As for the valve seal,It stops smoking after a few seconds and burns very little oil.As you said Jeff will leave till i need to take the head off.Anew cam chain is on the horizon so will do it then.[Winter time].