Is an engine rebuild due?

[David M]

I bought a 2007 GS500F recently (manufactured in Spain). The previous owner has trashed the bike and neglected the maintenance and I only able to discover a lot of problems after riding it for few weeks.

One of the chief problem is that almost all the engine oil gets burn up after a 300km run (average 100kmh (around 5k rpm), occasional 140kmh (>6k rpm). There's no leakage and neither there's visible smoke from exhaust.  I wasn't aware of the depletion in engine oil until half way of a 1,200km return trip.  I must have gone a good few kilometers without engine oil and was only aware when the engine started to make a knocking sound (like a slow constant typewriter).. i afraid i may have damaged the bike further.  i nursed the bike home with constant topping up of engine oil.. (need about 200ml every 100km).

I'm based in Cambodia and as far as I know there is only 1 example of the GS500F in Cambodia. I would need to mail order all parts I need for the repairs and appreciate other members' experiences and advices.

My mechanic suggested a total rebuild of the engine citing that the previous owners may not have run-in the bike proper and subsequent owner may have trashed it.  Also with me running the bike for more than 600km before realizing the engine oil has depleted has made matter worst and the knocking sound may be the valves.

Any members had this problem before? What's the fix other than a total engine rebuild?

The bike just reached 20,000 miles.

Thank You.

I would also appreciate if any could provide me with a link to a technical repair manual for my mechanic reference.

Thank You.

[xunedeinx]

Typewriter sound is the valves.

If its burning up that much oil, probably rings or valve seals.

Is the exhaust smokey? If not, maybe it IS a leak?

[crzydood17]

put a coffee filter over the exhaust and rev the engine... if there is oil burning it will show it.

[weedahoe]

I have been down this road and it is usually cheaper and faster to simply buy a replacement engine