Motorcycle Repair: sudden oil and smoke, valve seals, 1982 aspencade

Question
1982 aspencade GL1100 ww/55000 miles. No previous oil leaks. after being parked over night found a puddle of oil under right side that appeared to be comming from the drain hole in the exaust. Upon starting it discovered the right side exaust to be producing lots of white smoke. Am I looking for a piston ring problem or possibly an O-ring or vaulve seal problem. Still runs great.

Answer
Hi.
 Your problem could be any of those things.  To find out which one, you will need to do a couple of things;

1) Compression test.  Find out if one of the cylinders is losing compression.  That could indicate either a valve out of adjustment or a ring on it's way out.

2) Check the valve adjustment.  If all is well with that, then it could be an o-ring or valve seal.

3) Visually inspect the o-rings and valve seals.  Check them against the parameters in the repair manual for wear.  If they are good, then we are back to rings as the most likely culprit.

Start with those and see what you find.

Good luck and ride safe.
FALCON