Thanks Tommy - I'd certainly consider another, I think you are right in this has been an exception to the rule as from what I had read up prior to buying it I was under the impression that they were generally unbrakable in the engine department, and I'd only consider a cheap bike if it was of such a reputation .

 Maybe they did no something about it , but hey if you buy a 500 quid bike you have to keep with the mindset that you might have a bargain or you might have balls-up - the thing is I will get most of it back even if I have to break it.

I'll stick with my ZZR for now as it still in Tax & Test and is not really wanting for anything, I've also kind of realised it is better for weather protection and cleaning time having only taken the fazer for one ride on a wet & mucky road 

Wait till I've more money to spend (like a couple of grand) and a newer (or nicer) one could come in I quite like the thous' 

http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,21815.0.html
mine for sale £550 ono MOT but needs work - and collecting from arse end of nowhere! 

How did you rule out the head gasket?

We thought that there should be oil in the coolant if it was the head gasket. 

You've got to look at all the plugs and I think before refilling it needs a flush through , you don't want any of the internal oil ways getting bunged up.
Just out of curiosity did you notice if the coolant level was low and by how much before you drained it ?
One positive by the looks of it is that oil didn't get into your coolant.
Has it had an oil filter fitted recently ??? Either by yourself or previous owner ?

Yep this was as far as we got - could do with checking other plugs,
hard to tell with coolant - being new to the bike I didnt realise there was a seperate header tank ( on the kawasaki the filler and header tank were at the same place) also plenty of coolant spilt before I could get the drip tray under .

The oil filter and oil was what was in the bike when I got it, apart from the top-ups I did out on the road. I was going to do the full service after the Mot, had all this not happened!

Well I drained the oil and coolant.   The oil was milky but c oolant clear. Gonna have a look at the plugs now.

Was the bike on the centrestand / level ground when filling and ( hope your not offended at this RW ) was the engine switched off and the remaining oil that was circulating around the engine left to settle before you started to fill with from what you approximate about 1.8 litres ?
If the answer was no to the above that could mean a big overfill

No problem, yeh the first time was at the garage, it had been stood on centrestand for maybe 10 mins or more as I had to buy the oil then go get a lend of some pliers as the filler cap seems to go quite tight, even though I tried to avoid overtightening.  At this time I would say it'd been nursed along with the oil light on for approx 4 or 5 miles. The MOT place was only about half a mile from this garage.

It lost quite a bit just through leakage whilst sat waiting for the MOT - the light came back on when I was say another 3 miles after leaving the MOT - this was possibly a bit quick as put oil in here at the roadside with engine off but it'd only been off a couple of mins -this is when it started reving of its own accord and I decided to call it a day. so possibly that WAS an over fill but I kill  switched the engine and only briefly started it for the Rec. man and kill switched it again - its not been run since.

I would go for that - each time I topped up I would of guessed from the amount left in can it was taking a little less than a litre to make the light go off - I only topped it twice before getting the recovery, I have a little bit more than half a 4l container left,

It'll have to come out - cos all I could get was car oil, but reckon that was better than no or very low oil

Edit just looked its a five litre can and about 2 thirds to 3 quarters left

Noticed from your earlier posts looks like you've only recently bought the Fazer. Any comeback on the seller?

Not really, it was very cheap!! - ran and sounded ok , there was a coolant leak at time which was negotiated - I suppose if this coolant leak had been there a long time it could have contributed to the head gasket going but pretty tenuous. The engine otherwise seemed good and sounded fine no rattles or odd noises/behaviour at the time- and sold as seen of course.

Even if I have to get a new head or even engine it will still have been a bargain, but just could do without it as had a good look over the bike and sorted the problem areas, as MOT proved - if it hadnt of been for the oil leaking from the exhaust it would have got a clear pass no advisories. It had only done 300 miles since last MOT (done  may - 2015 exp may 2016) - IN fact mileage has been low right through mot history - as far as can be traced back.

Pics on  Facebook page. Will put on here later

There's engine rattle and obvious oil consumption but no other obvious performance  decrease (woolly due to carbsome needing done, but it was like that before).  Doesn't make sense to ride it though in case further damage caused. 
I  can't upload pics on my phone.  But will when I get back to pc

It passed! No advisory except the bloody oil leak 😂

Or decideas to get it recovered?