In the case it doesn't seem all doom and gloom, maybe a top end rebuild should suffice.

I will attempt to get the engine removed and cylinder off tomorrow and report back with my findings. Thanks for your help.

I changed the oil on Friday, there were no flakes in it then, not that I noticed anyway. The only reason I noticed this time was due to the fact they were caught on the base of the sump plug. There was no bang, backfire before it cut out and I didn't notice any smoking. However I have no mirrors so ...

Just drained the oil, it is no different to the colour that I would normally expect. There is however metal flakes in it. They are very small, look a bit like glitter.

I can drain it, I haven't yet done so. I'm unsure what you mean by fresh, from my experience new oil that's been run around an engine is almost instantly a dirty colour? What exactly am I looking for?

Silkolene semi synthetic. Changed it last Friday, along with oil filter and air filter.

Hi guys, any advice or help would be greatly appreciated. I don't think this is going to be an easy or cheap fix! I have a 1987 Yamaha TT350. Been out on it for most of the afternoon today and was running perfectly. On my slow plod home the engine all of a sudden lost all power. I pulled over and ty...