The last few times I started my bike I have been getting smoke emitting from where the pipes connect to the motor. I'm not much of a motor guy so please excuse the terminoligy. The smoke is coming out of the front cylendar only. Is there a gasket between the pipe and the motor that is bad or could it be a head gasket issue or rings?
The bike starts and runs fine and there is not any unussual noise coming from the piston.
Please help I am afraid to ride it with it smoking like that.

Thanks

 

There is a gasket in the exhaust port; replace it or tighten the flange nuts. However, the smoke will start coming out of the tail pipe once you addess the exhaust port issue. If the smokin only occurs on startup, valve guide seals have gone south. If it smokes all the time, you have other issues.

 

Yes, there is an exhaust gasket between the header and the cylinder. It crushes when you put a new pipe on, and should be changed everytime you remove and install the header (Some opinions vary on this)

If I were you, I'd go grab new exhaust gaskets for a few bucks at your local HD and change them. It easy, cheap, and won't hurt anything as well as being the most likely cause. If it still smokes after the change, then pursue further.

 

Thanks guys I just pulled the pipe off and that gasket is toast. Will pick one up tomorrow and try it out.