Speed Triple T509 Valve Seals

Hi all,

I took on a 1998 Speed Triple T509 as a project and have been working my way through the simple stuff (oil, filters, coolant etc). However there is a smoking problem, blue/grey from the exhaust not loads but enough and although it dies away when the engine is warm you can see it again when the engine is revved.

I'm thinking (hoping) its the valve seals, has anyone replaced these on this engine? if so is it easy, any tips?
Or has anyone paid to have it done? if so could you let me know how much it cost you please?

Sorry if this has been covered, I've searched and searched and can't find the answers.

Cheers,

Mike.

 

I was really hoping it wasn't rings. That's I'll check the breather.

 

Thanks for the replies, what is it that makes you think rings though? I would have thought that would give thick smoke all the time rather than light smoke at start up and revs?

 

A little update, Crankcase breather off and its full of oil. Ordered new rotary seal and gasket for the cover. I really hope its as simple as that!

 

An update on this, I replaced the crank case breather seal copying the way the old and visibly knackered one was. No change, blue smoke everywhere! whipped it back out and turned it around...almost smokeless! it's impossible not to damage those seals when you remove them so I ordered yet another one, put it in the opposite way to the one that was on the bike originally. It did still smoke a bit so I took the bike out for a short and careful ride (5 miles no more than 40mph) and no smoke, not at idle and not under revs.
Started the bike up the next day, it was cold and the only thing from the exhaust was vapor and that burnt away quickly. since then I've serviced the brakes and taken it for a couple of test rides and there is no smoke at all.
Plenty of people assured me it was the piston rings, pointed me towards low mileage engines for sale and recommended garages for a complete rebuild...two morals to this story:
1. Don't panic, try the very easy stuff first.
2. Just because something is installed on your bike doesn't mean it's done correctly. Especially if the bike is 20 years old!