Recondition Valve Stem Seals?

[Folsoml]

My K1100LT has a pretty good amount of smoke coming from the exhaust when it first starts up.  It stops after a few seconds, so I'm thinking the problem is valve stem seals.  It seems like a monumental task to change them out.  Is there anything that can be done to recondition them?  Oil additive? 

[Scott_]

It's more from oil leaking down the rings when the bike is parked on the side-stand. Normal by design. Worse on the older 2V bikes. You may also find it worse with synthetic oil as well.
You may find the more you park it on the center stand, the less it happens and/or its not as pronounced.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

+1 on Scott's reply.  Smoke on start up is from oil getting past the rings while the bike is parked.

Valve stem seals smoke all the time and actually get worse after the engine has run a minute or so.  You will also see a lot of oil consumption(like 500 miles per quart).

You are right about it being a bitch job.  I just did mine, and with fairing removal, seal replacement, reassembly and dealing with a broken head bolt have about 35 hours over a month invested in the job.  Not to mention about $300 in parts, tools and supplies to get the job done.

You don't want to go there if you don't have to.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Regarding seal conditioners: IMO, they are intended for shady used car dealers to temporarily hide bad engines from unsuspecting buyers.  The solvents in these additives ultimately destroy the seals eventually making the leakage worse and widespread.  Avoid them.

[Folsoml]

Looks like something I'll learn to live with.  The only thing is, I never leave it on the side stand.  It has been on the center stand the entire time I've owned it (about a week now).

[Martin]

Folsom as Scott stated it could the oil, have another look after your first oil change. Check your oil consumption. It could also be lack of use., a mates bike that had sat for a while before he bought it, smoked profusely. He was talking about re-ringing it, but it started to settle, and now only smokes after being left on the side stand or after sex.
Regards Martin

[Folsoml]

Hopefully you're right!

[Scott_]

Also note about the consumption comment, BMW considers 1qt per 1000 miles acceptable. I burn a little less than that with both my LT's but they both do burn it. Mine are in the range of 1500 miles per qt.

[gazman]

If your not into centrestands try while your still on the bike as soon as you turn it off lean it to the right for a few moments this will help minimize the oil trapped behind the pistons

[rbm]

Make sure you're not overfilling the sump.  Oil level should be halfway up the inspection window with the bike on the centrestand and engine off.  Any more is too much.

[Folsoml]

It could also be lack of use., a mates bike that had sat for a while before he bought it, smoked profusely. He was talking about re-ringing it, but it started to settle, and now only smokes after being left on the side stand or after sex.

It's looking like you were right.  Very little smoke now that I've put some new miles in the engine.