VF 500 burning oil from #1 Cylinder

I have a 1986 vf 500 which is burning oil like crazy. The bike runs great except for the trail of smoke out of my pipes. The smoke goes away when I take out the spark plug from #1 cylinder (left rear) The plug is black but not dripping with oil. there is oil splatters comming out from the exhaust pipe though. I did a differential commpresion check on it and holds compression fine (100 psi). Could it be an oil ring or could it be the rubber seals around the valve stem. I have checked the seals on the 2 exhaust valves and they are ok. I never checked the intakes though. I was just wondering if the seal was cracked or not there if it would cause a lot of burning oil to happen. I really don't want to take the engine apart if I don't have to. Another question, can you take the piston out without taking apart the engine? by taking the oil pan off and dissconecting the connecting rod from the crank and just push it up the cylinder?

Actually it could be either the valve seal or the rings. The seals are the easiest to check. As far as an easy way to change the rings, I don't think a bottom entry would do it. The top part of the head does separate from the block. I've only seen it done this way. Could also be a scored cylinder wall allowing oil to get by the rings. If that is the case, a whole cylinder job would be in order. Getting it bored and honed to the next size up, new piston and rings to fit blah, blah, blah, labor....

I hope it isn't the 'whole enchilada', but going by it's age it wouldn't surprise me if it were.

In talking to the honda dealer, It could be both rings or seals but if it were seals on the vavles, the smoke was supposed to go away. Anyways I have pulled the engine, split the case and now putting in new rings, seals etc. I hope this works, Spring is coming. There is still snow on the ground here in Canada.

Here's a thought: are you absolutely sure it's oil?
I had a perished diaphragm in the fuel tap on my VF500, and it meant it was sucking neat fuel in though the vacuum tube (connected to #1 cylinder) and running REALLLLLYYY rich.
(Then there's the converse problem - the vacuum pipe cracks, and it runs like crap because it sucks air in!)

dalesiemens, Mar 14 2006, 04:26 PMIn talking to the honda dealer, It could be both rings or seals but if it were seals on the vavles, the smoke was supposed to go away. Anyways I have pulled the engine, split the case and now putting in new rings, seals etc. I hope this works, Spring is coming. There is still snow on the ground here in Canada.

Where are you located?

I have an 1985 VF500F that I am currently reassembling. I totally disassembled the motor and gave it a ring job and took the heads apart and last evening I spent a lot of time (still unsuccessfully) with cams/camshaft chain/tensioners etc.

I'm Located in Manitoba just out side Winnipeg. Does anyone know where to get a gasket set from my 86 vf 500? I can order individual gaskets but it will end up costing a fortune. I ordered a set from "Old Bike Barn" but the order is back ordered min. 6 weeks. That's a long time, I wanna go riding now!