83 KZ1100 LTD Puffing a little smoke?

I was thinking about buying an 83 kz1100 ltd shaft drive, with 28,700 miles. It is on sale for $1650, it seems to be in good condition, except the seller says that it is starting to puff a little smoke from the right pipe. I was wondering what that could be and how much it would cost to repair? Should I ask for a lower price? I'm currently on an 83 kz750 chain drive. Thanks for any input! Btw, would there be a huge difference in power and weight between the 2 bikes?

Smoke could be valve stem seals or piston rings. Does the owner list the compression for the cylinders?

Hopefully the valve clearances have been checked lately or there is a good chance of burning valves/valve seats.

robert1083 wrote:

I was thinking about buying an 83 kz1100 ltd shaft drive, with 28,700 miles. It is on sale for $1650, it seems to be in good condition, except the seller says that it is starting to puff a little smoke from the right pipe. I was wondering what that could be and how much it would cost to repair? Should I ask for a lower price? I'm currently on an 83 kz750 chain drive. Thanks for any input!

With only 28,700 miles, the smoke may result from worn valve stem seals (especially when engine is first started and for a mile or so until things warm up). Not a big deal.

Oil burning from poor compression due to piston/ring/cylinder wear would continue smoking on and on.

With smoke only from one pipe, I would guess poor valve stem seal. A compression test would be more enlightening.

Good Fortune!

If it was rings, you would see more smoke when you get hard on the throttle, and it will do it even after warmed up. Valve stem seals usually more smoke at startup then goes away as it runs a while. Would definitely do a compression check.