engine smoking

Hi everyone.

I went to view a CB500 today and when the bike had been idling - from cold - for a few minutes it began to give off smoke. Not clouds and clouds - but visible wisps. It was not particularly strong smelling - but I would guess it was oil. I wasn't really keeping my eye on the ball and didn't take it up directly with the owner - he seemed like a pretty decent guy, though, so I can ring him and ask about it tomorrow. Other than that I thought the bike seemed good for the money.

So my question is simply this: has anyone got any ideas what may be causing it? The bike is low miles, and appears almost new. I noticed that there's this video on youtube - and it seems to be a similar issue:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYRmgyZmsMs&list=UUpPPOm_RZZUxtMrPbzgDgIA&index=8&feature=plcp

Just a thought, but as it's getting a bit colder recently, are you sure it isn't simply a bit of condensation?

Mine do the same in the mornings.

Yeah - might well have been. I also thought - as soon as I'd posted that - it was probably just some wd-40 kind of stuff. My 125 does it all the time, after getting a spritz of something like that. I'm just having a case of buyer's jitters here - getting a little nervy, and becoming slightly dunder-brained along the way. Christ, it can be really difficult to be level-headed when going to see a bike - especially if it's a good 'un. Not to mention if the seller seems like a nice guy. One minute you're casting a critical eye over fork seals and so on, the next you're in the kitchen reminiscing about TZR250s, or something.

just make sure you always remember that they all SEEM to be nice guys,hey they want your cash and (Maybe) they want to get rid of a lemon.
Having said that I agree with the condensation theory,it is very likely,can you test ride and see what it is like after a short run

Sadly not. Anyway, the deal's been done - but thanks for the reply. All I can really do is hope now!

Even if it is some kind of leak (say.... heating water leaking from kackered rubber pipes around the carbs onto some hot bit of engine)... you will be able to find out what it is and (probably) fix it.

As other have said, it may also be absolutely nothing of any consequence, either way, you'll probably be OK :)