Motorcycle Repair: 1985 Honda CB 650 Nighthawk, honda cb 650, valve seals

Question
Hey Chris, I am looking at buying this bike for about $750. It has about 50,000 miles. The current owner say that while idleing it smokes a little and that is has a little oil leak. He didn't say where the leak was. So what do you think it would take to fix the smoking problem. I don't know much about motorcycles. So any info would be greatly appreciated like how to repair and if I should just not buy it. Thanks Kendall

Answer
Hi Kendall.

This sounds like an internal engine leak.  Perhaps valve seals, leaking piston rings or a leaking head gasket.

How difficult or expensive it will be to stop the oil leak, and thus the white smoke, is hard to say without seeing the engine and checking things like compression and valve seals.

Start by getting the repair manual and going through it.  By the description that you gave, it doesn't sound like a huge problem, but if it leaves a big cloud of white smoke when running, then don't get the bike.

For $750 it doesn't sound like a bad deal if the bike is in good shape, still runs and is clean.

Good luck and ride safe.
FALCON