blown head gasket (probably)

[i.p.phrealy]

So... bimbling along on my Honda VT500, heading back to Mrs Phrealy's (pending) house via the M42 we were about 2 miles from the exit and as I was overtaking a lorry I lost all power and noticed quite a lot of blue/white smoke in my mirrors.

cue, pulling onto the hard shoulder for a quick look and noticed that there was oil seeping out of the side of the engine, just below the head.
my phone died at this point so no photos but it's pretty obvious the head gasket has gone.
so I have made a mental note of what I need to get to sort it out, have I missed anything:

gasket set.
fresh oil and filter,
fresh antifreeze.
my tools!

is it worth checking with a compression tester to be sure before I start ripping the head of?

anything else I have missed?

any advice or tips on swapping a v-twins head gasket gratefully received.
____________________
it is impossible to lick your own elbow...
and if you just tried you need professional help.
Finally allowed a big bike 19/03/14!

[moonzoomer]

Check the radiator and header tank for oil contamination to confirm a blown head gasket which I doubt is the problem, I suspect you have a ruptured broken oil feed pipe, the oil feed pipe on the VT travels from the left hand side of the crankcase running between the pair of cylinders before splitting into two to supply the cylinder heads so check for rot on the pipes or a broken damaged union before going the cylinder head route.
Have a look around the two banjo bolt connections inside the V of the engine as well as looking for damage to the oil feed pipes themselves, see pic....
https://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n604/mawlarky/oilpipe_zpsd4ddcb52.jpg

[Pete.]

Since it lost power under load I'd be hoping it's the head gasket. If it lost power due to losing oil pressure from a ruptured line the damage will be much more expensive to fix.
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[i.p.phrealy]

as i said, i saw oil being forced out between the front head and the barrel, which is why i thought gasket.
it lost power in the same way my old peugeot 406 estate did when its head gasket went.
____________________
it is impossible to lick your own elbow...
and if you just tried you need professional help.
Finally allowed a big bike 19/03/14!

[moonzoomer]

Follow the oil supply line from bottom left of the first pic until it splits between the barrels, the second pic shows the oil feed into the rear of the front cylinder (centre of pic), this is possibly where the problem is , a small mirror and torch might be helpful due to lack of room between the barrels.
https://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n604/mawlarky/MVC-260S_zpse54991c0.jpg
https://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n604/mawlarky/MVC-261S_zps43015c4c.jpg

[Boxing]

Has it been getting through a lot of coolant lately? If so it probably is your head gasket. I check my coolant before every ride. Along with chain, tyres and bolts.

[Teflon-Mike]

I seem to recall it had no coolant in it when he got it.

Cylinder-Rebores / RM Motorcycles Tenlon's Road.

If it is HGF and sounds likely... best to get the head skimmed as course.

If it was run for however long without coolant, it's been 'going' for a while, and it wont just be the gasket getting old and tired and letting go, it'll be thermal expansion 'creep' in the metal warping the head.

Do you need any help?
Have you compression tested it to confirm?
We have compression testers here, if needs.

Check Haynes, dont know if those have stretch studs that have to be replaced with the gasket; but it is the era Honda were very keen on thin-wall die-pressure casting which is very sensitive to correct torque settings and sequences to avoid flex fractures.

Not going to Bassets tomoroow night then, I take it
____________________
My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[i.p.phrealy]

Moonzoomer, I'll have a look at the pipework when I go and look at the bike (currently in the inlaws garage), but it was forcing oil out of this point of the engine casing:
https://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y475/i_p_phrealy/MVC-260S_zpse54991c02_zps2212fe32.jpg
yep it was low on coolant when I bought it, I topped it up and it had been fine.
looking like i'll be scouring ebay for a replacement engine then.
____________________
it is impossible to lick your own elbow...
and if you just tried you need professional help.
Finally allowed a big bike 19/03/14!

[i.p.phrealy]

No Tef, no Bassetts for a bit now.

Bike is in Curdworth.
____________________
it is impossible to lick your own elbow...
and if you just tried you need professional help.
Finally allowed a big bike 19/03/14!

[moonzoomer]

[i.p.phrealy]

I'm in the Midlands, between Birmingham and Nuneaton.
____________________
it is impossible to lick your own elbow...
and if you just tried you need professional help.
Finally allowed a big bike 19/03/14!

[moonzoomer]