Re: Oil Burning when cold.
 

Does it actually use much oil,ie do you have to top it up a lot?If not it might be no big deal.

Re: Oil Burning when cold.
 

You sure it really is oil burning & not water vapour ?
Oil burn wouldn't vary that much when engine heats up. ( would probably get worse ? )

Re: Oil Burning when cold.
 

Does it do it just when the choke is on?

Mines started doing this, and its a very reliable engine(as I just bloody bought the damn thing from a reliable source) but just on choke. It stinks to high heavens and billows out smoke like no tomorrow, as soon as it hits 3k revs. Once off, perfectly fine, no smoke on riding, and no smoke if I stop somewhere and start it again.

Re: Oil Burning when cold.
 

If it is oil(white smoke), then it's your valve seals. When the engine gets hot it aint a problem because the valves etc expand and seal. As your engine cools it contracts and excess oil runs down the valve stem. If it was the rings it would just pump out white smoke all the time.

Re: Oil Burning when cold.
 

I'd suggest this isn't quite correct.

One of the common issue is that when the engine gets up to temperature, any oil making it into the combustion chamber (assuming that this is actually the problem), starts being burned completely in the high temperatures. It's still being burned, and consumed, but you can't see the product of incomplete combustion (smoke), which you can when it's cold.

For now we still have to establish that it's actually burning oil, and that if it is it's not just down to some oil in the air box or similar. We're a way off condemning the valve train components.

Jambo

Re: Oil Burning when cold.
 

If it smokes when you open the throttle its probably the piston rings. On the other hand, if it smokes when you close the throttle (on the over-run) then its the valve seals. Either way the smoking and the burning of oil will increase with time. For the time being, and as jambo suggested, better make sure that its actually burning oil before going to the trouble and expense of renewing your piston rings or seals.

Re: Oil Burning when cold.
 

It is definetly burning oil, the smell is distinctive. Dizzy you may be developing the same problem Im having because it was only on choke is how it started for me. Only thing is that now its for a little while after I've switched off the choke too. Oh and I only notice it when the throttle is closed, I cant see any smoke in my mirrors while riding nor can I smell anything until Im stationary.

Re: Oil Burning when cold.
 

The best way to check whether its the valve seals is to have a mate of yours follow you and notice what happens when you close the throttle at junctions etc. If the exhaust smokes as you close the throttle from speed then its the valve seals. Opening the throttle up as you would do on the motorway wouldn't cause smoke unless its the piston rings. A mechanic friend of mine correctly diagnosed this problem on my BMW R100RS and fixed it by changing the valve seals. What mileage has your SV done? I ask this because valve seals are more likely to need replacing on higher mileage engines. As I said in my last posting, if it is the valve seals then the smoking will get progressively worse with time making it obvious that they need sorting.

Re: Oil Burning when cold.
 

Just noticed, I meant to say valve guides and not valve seals. Sorry.

Re: Oil Burning when cold.
 

Zen, open throttle smoking is often caused by dodgy exhaust valve stem seals. Closed throttle intake valve seals and rings can go either way... often both. :)

Cheers