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Changed the rocker gaskets on my rear cylinder. Now it's smoking.

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Old 01-04-2015, 04:57 PM
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Default Changed the rocker gaskets on my rear cylinder. Now it's smoking.

I changed the top and bottom gaskets on my '07 using the Cometic setup. It was relatively easy. Before anyone asks, yes the pushrods were down and easily moving.

I cleaned up the residual left from the old gasket using carb cleaner and WD40. Both on the head and the rocker boxes. After I buttoned everything up I let it sit an hour. I started the bike for about 30 seconds and turned it off. An hour later a 1 minute heat cycle. After another hour I ran the bike and let it idle. The garage was opened and it was cold. After it warmed up it started to smoke. It's a light white smoke coming out of the top. No oil seems to be leaking. There doesn't seem to be any strong odor to it. It did it again after I started the bike this afternoon idling for about 2 minutes.

Is there a break-in that's causing this? Is the carb cleaner and WD40 burning off? Did something go catastrophically wrong?

The engine sounds fine.

Thanks
 

Last edited by baka1969; 01-04-2015 at 05:00 PM.
  #2  
Old 01-04-2015, 04:59 PM
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I'm going to guess it's simply a little residual oil burn-off...that stuff gets everywhere and can be hard to get it all cleaned off. Keep an eye on it, but you should be OK.
 
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Old 01-04-2015, 05:07 PM
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yup what he said - its all the left over crap burnin up
 
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Old 01-04-2015, 05:55 PM
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Originally Posted by baka1969
Is the carb cleaner and WD40 burning off?
In my case, the WD40 burning caused a lot of smoke after we changed the head gasket of my front cylinder a few weeks ago. It'll just burn off and go away.
 
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Old 01-04-2015, 06:11 PM
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Go for a short ride and get it up to operating temps. If its not leaking you should burn off the residue.
 
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Old 01-04-2015, 06:31 PM
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Thanks


It's pretty much what I thought. I've changed the gaskets on my last Sporty (Hey, who doesn't have to change leaking gaskets on a Sporty?). I just wanted to be sure I didn't do something catastrophic. Once you make sure the pushrods are in the down position before removing the bottom rocker box, it's fairly straightforward and tough to do anything really drastic. I hope. lol
 
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Old 01-05-2015, 12:03 AM
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Probaby crap you sprayed on. Give it time. And double check your torque values on the rocker cover bolts.dont over do it. The threads are like butter.
 
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Old 01-05-2015, 02:58 AM
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Originally Posted by cvaria
Probaby crap you sprayed on. Give it time. And double check your torque values on the rocker cover bolts.dont over do it. The threads are like butter.
Believe me, I learned from a previous bike that the bolts snap like twigs. I had misread a torque value and "bam". After more years of experience and patience I go in steps using the torque wrench.
 
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