Can’t see the bike for smoke

[Short-edd]

Hello Chaps,
I started my bike this morning (83 tenere) she sounded ok but I had blooms of white smoke from the exhaust (to the point I could not see the bike or the drive way) it faded away after a minute or so.
I took her for a 20 mile run, no problems although she was a bugger to start after I stopped for a coffee (no smoke this time).
Should I be worried, and what would you do next?
Edd.

[Mezo]

How long since you last ran the bike? and/or have you topped it up with oil recentley?

Mezo.

[Short-edd]

Hi Mezo,
last went out around 4 weeks ago,I did noticed the oil was a little low and topped it up.
I did to get a little white smoke on start up but it down to the cold weather.
Edd.

[Mezo]

Im thinking some oil has passed through your valve stem oil seals? have you reconditioned the top end since you owned the bike?

Im guessing if you ran the bike every day there would be no smoke but as its been sat for a few weeks the oil has seeped in to the combustion chamber & when you fired it up it gave you the James Bond smokescreen effect.

Mezo.

[Short-edd]

The previous owner said he had rebuilt the engine last year, but based on the rest of the rebuild I would take that with a pinch of salt, as I don’t believe his spanner skills are that good.
There is an annoying chatter / clicking at the head, some say this is common on the XTs I don’t know.
Do you think it’s worth my sorting these stem seals, or bite the bullet and strip it down and start a methodical rebuild of my own (he says bravely).
Edd

[xtrider]

For me, "recent rebuild" means a full tear down and fix the "rebuild" . half the time they just changed a leaking valve cover gasket or something like that and say it's been rebuilt for more money. The smoke could be as Mezo says ,overfilled oil, or slightly leaking seals. I'd run it for a bit to see if things get worse and pay attention to the ticking, sometimes it's normal, other times it's an early warning call. To replace the seals, the head has to come off, unless you can pressurize the chamber and get the springs released, then reseated afterwards.




.

[Mezo]

Do you think it’s worth my sorting these stem seals, or bite the bullet and strip it down and start a methodical rebuild of my own (he says bravely).Edd

For know Edd just suck it & see, if it persists or the noise gets louder then its time to have a lookey inside, id take off the head to do the seals as you can check the valve seat condition as well & have a good look at the cylinder bore while your there, check for any serious bore scoring.

Its not that big of a job & they guys on here can talk you through the process, but you would need a few specialist tools or at least the loan of them (valve spring compressor, piston ring compressor, tourque wrench, socket set).

Mezo.