Ok my DS starts & runs just fine now, but when I first start it for the day it blows white smoke from the cylinder area. It also blows it out the exhaust while riding, but it seems to gradually quite.

What is wrong with this thing now?

 

I just put a new head gasket in it..........oh about a week ago.

 

Are you sure you toqued it to specs and installed it correctly and put everythign back right, because that is definitely what I would think is wrong. Also maybe you just got a lemon of a gasket, sorry dude that crap sucks.

 

Im really get sick of this. It wouldnt be so bad if I could get parts & if there was someone around here that actually knew anything about the bike. I like the bike, but if Im gonna have this hard of time with it I might aswell buy something else.

 

when you replaced the head gasket, did you replaced the stud nuts as well or did you reuse them? after 1 use those nuts will not hold the torque. they are standard nuts (not hardened) so you can buy them at any hardware store. might cost you an extra dollar.

yes, it did happen to me.

just my .02 [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Im gonna buy some new nuts tomarrow & try that.

What should the torque be?

Also are you talking about the nuts on the end of the big studs that go all the way throught the jug to the cylinder?

Thanks, I really appreciate the help I get on the forum, I would be lost without it.

 

the torque on the four head bolts, yes the long ones is 44 ft.lb. the 4 bolts are 24 ft.lb. and the stock nuts pop before you get the torque you need. most bike shops have them they are a flanged type the standard nuts won't fit. you can also get a manual from alba on line. they also carry a lot of parts. woods also can help a lot, or gary at tvi. it sounds like water in the combustion is why the white smoke.

 

White smoke could also be oil. Here is how you can tell.
If its antifreeze (head gasket leak) the white is steam and it will disipate shortly after it leaves the pipe. If its oil the smoke will linger in your garage until you air it out.
Of coarse you can smell the difference too.

 

Word of sound advice to you. Do not use any lube except for a little dab of oil on those threads before you tighten down the nuts. Torque it down in seven pound increments in a crossing pattern. Also Ron Woods has enformed me that the 44 ft. lbs is to much for those head bolts, he says around 30 lbs. is enough but I torqued mine to 40 that should be good enough.

 

Thanks, I havent gotten around to changing them yet. Maybe today.