Head Gasket Repair?

I had recently slid my bike going about 15mph, I didn't really think that it could have done too much internal damage but now whenever the engine is run for more than 5 minutes, white smoke comes out of the right side exhaust. Most people are telling me that it's a cracked head gasket and tell me it's quite costly. My bike is a 1987 Yamaha FZX700 with low miles for its year and in otherwise great shape....probably worth ~$1,800.

How much would it cost to fix the head gasket and is it even worth it at this point?

Is your bike water cooled? If so, white smoke could certainly be the result of coolant leaking into the cylinder. By the way, laying the bike down wouldn't have anything to do with the gasket leaking. And a cracked head forces combustion pressure into the radiator which causes it to overflow or the radiator to swell up like a poisoned pup.

Try loosening the radiator cap so that it doesn't build pressure in the coolant system and try running it then. If there's no smoke, then it probably is the head gasket leaking. Even if it doesn't, try retorquing the cylinder head first. Be sure to use a torque wrench so that you don't strip any studs. The torque specs are probably for a cold engine, but if at all possible, warm it up first before torquing the head. I've found that evenly torqued head bolts often end up being unevenly torqued when the engine is hot. If that doesn't work, then you might replace the head gasket with a new one.

I would make sure it is cracked. A pressure test is quick and simple way to sort it out. I think if anything related to the engine oil leaking in, would cause a dark blackish smoke I hope it helps!

you can take the heads off yourself and replace the gasket or gaskets if it is one of those engines that have separate gaskets for each cylinder (obvious I don't know a thing about your bike) but no cycle engine is all that complex. The gaskets themselves are pretty inexpensive, depending on the materials they are made of. Even the 'expensive' ones are not very much money.

As with most repairs, the hourly shop rate is what runs up the bill!

cracked head gasket?? Never hear . possible crack cylinder head. or Does something Hit the cylinder or cylinder head hard from object that hit your bike. If it does. possible pulled the cylinder studs and it make loose between cylinder and cylinder head. or other possible is the cylinder head make small move (slide) against cylinder. it might rip the gasket.
If you know how to R&R. Then go ahead and look for damages. also check for any hair line crack on cylinder head, ( valves and combustion chamber area)
If there is head gasket damaged, You will be lucky. Gasket will be around 50 dollars.If cylinder head crack. I would like to try to find parts on e bay or motorcycle junk yard. If no luck. Buy another bike. also get a manual book to tell you how to set timing chain. and torque the nuts or bolts.
Hope it helps.

never heard of cracked head gasket, possible damage to head or head bolts loosened- typical head gasket price $50 + labor.
Look up price for ur bike gasket on Bikebandit.com