Valve job alternative

[1034am]

I need some opinions please. '89 gs w/13,000mi burns oil on start up only. A lot, for a good 30sec and will choke the entire garage. When warm is fine, doesn't seem to burn oil afterwards.  Tried 20w oil w/no results. Pulled head off for valve-job & was shocked at the >$500 tag. My research has shown its probably only the rings anyway (head is true/flat.)
Since the head is off, any advice on things I might do myself? I'm thinking scotch brite pad & rotorary tool on the underside of cylinder head (besides rings/gaskets.)
Thoughts??

[The Buddha]

Rings are sticking just when cold check it. You could free them up.
My guy will probably do the head for 1/2 that or maybe even less. If you want to call him, PM me, I'll give you his number, but I have to call him ahead and let him know its a head he's semi familiar with.
Cool.
Buddha.

[Atesz792]

Rings are sticking just when cold check it. You could free them up.
My guy will probably do the head for 1/2 that or maybe even less. If you want to call him, PM me, I'll give you his number, but I have to call him ahead and let him know its a head he's semi familiar with.
Cool.
Buddha.

I love how things work exactly the same way on both sides of the pond

[1034am]

Thanks, I might do that...

[Suzi Q]

You can lap the valves yourself pretty easily while you have it off.

[Watcher]

Burning oil isn't a valve issue, it's a ring issue.  If the head is true, you have good compression, and the valve clearances are right, I wouldn't touch the head.

Maybe send the jugs out to get honed, since they'll be off to do the rings anyway, get the next size up rings (.005+ IIRC), and if you feel like it take the pistons off the connecting rods and wire brush off any carbon deposits so you have a nice clean piston going back in.

[1034am]

So, if I get the cylinders honed I'll need to get a different spec ring kit? Ok. I'll check the cylinder w/micrometer and see if it's out of spec.
What about wire brush or scotchbrite pad on the head? Asking for trouble?

[Watcher]

So, if I get the cylinders honed I'll need to get a different spec ring kit?

Yes.  Honing the cylinders physically removes metal.  It doesn't take much off but the honing combined with the natural wear the engine experienced would require +sized rings.

What about wire brush or scotchbrite pad on the head? Asking for trouble?

Go for it.  No harm in cleaning off all the carbon deposits.  Just make sure to use caution around the valve seats.
Anywhere that sells guns will have a brush kit with some phosphor-bronze brushes.  They're much softer than steel ones, those will be much less likely to cause any kind of damage, but they'll still be more aggressive than Scotch Brite.  Some brake clean and elbow grease will get that job done.

[1034am]

Thanks for the help! I could not have gotten this bike running without the help from everybody on this site. Much appreciated.

[The Buddha]

Something like - if you're over .2mm over spec, you'd have to go to .5mm over I think.

Cool.
Buddha.