Update!
So a little while after the pictured trip, the lil XS started blowing some serious white smoke, mostly from the right muffler and also up from the crankcase breather
I checked the oil and it was scary low
My first impression was a blown piston ring
After a bit of research and some heartache, I decided to tear into it and find out!
Popped off the tank, carbs, pipes, everything that may get in the way
Valve cover pops off and the cam chain is loosened by unbolting the chain sprocket from the cam
Head and cylinder CAN slide out with the motor in the frame...
Kept everything as neat as possible and bagged/labeled every bolt
A local shop was kind enough to let me use their honing tool to hone my cylinders and clean up the pistons
As she sits now...
THE VERDICT:
Piston rings were actually fine
It was the head gasket the failed(likely due to overheating and lack of oil
). That being said, Im happy it wasn't worse.
Also, my wrist pins from both pistons were ground down pretty bad, so I ordered new ones along with new piston ring set(might as well do them too since the engine is open) and a gasket kit.
All the parts should be in this week and putting her back together first chance I get
PS
I also figured while the engine is apart, might be a good idea to think about paint! Sneak preview