Hi wingnprayer,

All most sounds like you have some very old gas or some other bad subtance in your tank. This can happen very easly at the pumps these days.

I would try to get as much of the what ever is in your tank out and add some fresh gas from a trusted source with a little Seafoam addaitive. While your at it....change to a fresh set of spark plugs and take her for a ride if you can.

There you have it. That's what I think. Others might have different thoughts.

Thanks Dennis. I don't know if we can get Seafoam here in the UK. I've searched on all the normal UK automotive websites and can't find it. We have something similar (I imagine) called Redex. Maybe I should give that a try.

I agree it could have been cruddy petrol or possibly just a bit of condensation in the cylinders being cleared out. I wouldn't be concerned unless it becomes a lot worse. My Goldwing will puff out a bit of smoke on starting on the odd occasion. I haven't been able to pin down what causes it, it only occurs once every other month or so and only for one start up. It doesn't use any oil between changes either. So basically I ignore it.

I believe what you are seeing is water vapor from the catalytic converter.

When the engine is shut off some water condenses and collects in the muffler. Then wwhen you start up it gets vaporized by the heat.

A catalytic converter converts carbon monoxide + heat to carbon dioxide + water. Do a search on "catalytic converter water"

this is normal, I believe, especially when its colder outside. Mine does it.

Hope this helps.
MaxB

A few toughts......White means water...Black-blue-isch means oil...Black means maybe to rich gas...Oil ...check sparkplugs, decreasing oil-level..To rich gas...check sparkplugs and decreasing MPG.
..
When the white smoke don't go away when de motor is warm...a bad cilinderhaed-joint.Water comes in the explosionchamber.
Decreasing coolant level.

Sounds to me like a bike that doesn't get much use. (As stated). Quite symptomatic of carbon build up and when the engine is running it is clearing out a carbon condensation mix.

A good run a highish revs will clear any carbon and any moisture that has built up in the engine and exhaust system will be removed too.

Bike were made to be used, when not, like all things mechanical they don't like sitting idle.

Thanks Waspie, you are probably right. Sadly I've just spent a month out in Thailand and now the UK Winter is in full swing, so the poor old SWing isn't likely to get much use for a while. However if there is a sunny day sometime soon (BIG IF) then I'll take her out on the Motorway.

I also think she needs a new battery since as stated I'm still using the 01 original and it sounds like the starter motor is having to strain when turning over. Perhaps this also means a weaker spark??? but then I'm only guessing, being I complete mechnical Philistine.

How about, rip out the stock exhaust can and get yourself a free flowing exhaust.... That'll take care of the catalytic converter, (and the white smoke with it....!) Plus it will sound much better....

As to starting and the battery... mine (03) is a bit like that, but fine if I leave it on charge overnight... I shall need to get a new battery soon I think...

And what's with the winter riding....? That's one of the times when scoots really excell over bikes..... I use my scoot more now in all but snow and or ice ( I draw the limit there!) and the bike tends to come out only if the weather is OK.... I could maybe forgive someone for not riding their bike as much in the winter, but not riding one of the best maxi-scoots on the planet..... Well that's not good.... you must be spending way too much time in Thailand!!

Thanks for the advice Bernado. Sadly I am 100% wuss these days and prefer the comforts of a car for the Winter months.

Re Thailand, I was out there shooting a number of videos for the charity I work for. It's a shame this great country is mainly known for it's sex trade. Thai people are some of the most friendly on the planet and have a patriotism towards their country that (IMHO) is unequalled... even in the USA. It's just a shame that half of the Westerners visiting Thailand do so for this sex industry.... but who does that reflect most badly on?