Hello all,

First post here, I inherited a 1979 FLH from my Dad and I recently got it back on the road. I took it to a shop to get it up and running after sitting 5 years once they finally got it running it smoked like a train after a 10 minute ride. I had them rebuild the top end so it's now .040 over new rings, new pistons, and a head job. After all that, it still smokes...... Basically just as much as it did before the rebuild.

The owner assures me it's oil in the exhaust and it'll burn off, I have a hard time believing that. The bike runs great and idles well but after riding for 10-15 minutes it has a stead stream of white smoke out the tail pipes, enough to smoke up my garage.

What do you guys think? Could it actually be oil in the pipes burning off?
Cory

 

i would take it for a hour ride and then drive by the shop that did the work and have him give it a look

together you will see whats happening - an hour ride at speed will burn out any left overs - if its still puffing he has to explain but an hour should do it

 

I think that's the plan for this weekend, I've been riding it about 20-30 min a day lately mostly around my neighborhood not really a long ride. I had already taken it back to them and his response was "well the oil could be in the exhaust baffles in which case it may never stop......"

 

check your plugs...if they look clean it could be the exhaust...

 

after the ride ask about valve seals and what type the tin or were they the newer style rubber ones

after the hour ride on a hwy nothing will be in the exhaust

like MAGO said check the plugs if they are clean then remove the mufflers and wash out with gas and try again

 

Depending on what Baffles are in place... they could indeed hold Oil for a very long time indeed... BTDT
But, depending who rebuilt the Engine... better... who assembled the Engine...Easy to build a "Smoker" ... even if it was Prepared properly... Improper Assembly... Oil the rings for instance, guarantees a Smoker in my Experience..

 

New top end and smokes? Take it back or find someone that knows how to do the work. Were the rings installed upside down? Ring end gaps all lined up? Piston to wall clearance? Ring end gaps? Valve seals not sealing? Can't believe after the running time you mentioned that it could be residual oil in the exhaust.

 

Sounds like your mechanic is an idiot.

Did you get your old parts back from the rebuild?

 

Oil seeping into the valve guides...?

 

I know it is a Bit Different, but, I have an E-Motor with a bad Guide seal on the rear cylinder... smokes when cold... as it warms up... it quits... Just like the old '74-74"... no seals at all... so.. a bit of smoke till it reaches operating temperature..