Oil level and engine noise

13k Serviced sept last year, oil changed a couple of weeks ago.

I've checked the oil and regularly topped up:

Admittedly I've let the oil go to the low marker a few times but never run less than 500ml to top up to make the full marker.

Recently I believe it has started to make a funny noise from the engine... I'm trying to upload... https://www.dropbox.com/s/ay7f3k4x2k...%2038%20pm.mov

This is bike level:


This is the marker on the sight glass:


So I will be topping up again... But that was half way between low and full two weeks ago, I do 100miles a week so only 200miles ago it's dropped to that level.

She also smokes on startup but it clears after 200-300 yards.

I started her up after work today and put my hand on the exit pipe of the zorst and no oil splattered on my hand but there was a bit of water vapour.

Also on the way to work today, she coughed/spluttered/twang/ting type noises, I lost some power and the bike slowed down, this only lasted a couple of seconds and power resumed, this happened twice in a 10mile journey but on the return trip home after work all fine.

So can anyone hear any strange noises? Or am I just being paranoid?

Is she burning oil?

Piston rings?

What was that splutter all about? Spark? Coil? Argh!!!

I hate diagnostics.....

That was 300 ml to full...

[Bibio]

how often are you doing a full oil AND filter change?

Every 3k or less, that last one was only 2000miles

[NTECUK]

You are checking the oil with the bike hot.

Typically after a ride and let sit for 15mins after, admittedly I filled her up this morning when it was cold... But it tends to vary sometimes hot sometimes cold, either way it's always as level as I can get it.

[Biker Biggles]

Oil is going somewhere so it is either burning it or leaking it.Are all the crankcase breather pipes properly connected,and is there a lot of oil in the airbox?Anything leaking out around the gearbox sprocket?
If it is definitely not leaking then it must be burning it.Its getting to the mileage for a valve clearance check,but is that mileage genuine?If all else fails then it may just be one of those engines that uses oil.If so you just need to keep it checked and topped up.

I will be checking the bike for leaks tonight or tomorrow... Afaik everything is connected but again I will check. I had the sprocket cover off the other day but it was so full if crud I could not tell so i will clean that out and check again.

Yes genuine mileage as I've had the bike from new.

It might well be one of those that just eats oil

Mark-SV has confirmed that my bike sound is normal (as in his sounds like that too) so either it is normal or we both have the same prob

Keep the input coming guys

Appreciate the help.

[NTECUK]

If you ran it in too gently the rings can shine and gum up

I ran it in using the extremist way, range of varying engine speeds, intervals of short duration high rpm etc...