Head gasket is my first thought. Check your coolant level and run the bike with the rad cap off, see if bubbles are continuously rising to the top. If so, it's the head gasket. White smoke is an indication of coolant in the combustion chamber, and if the plugs are fouling because of oil, then that's another sign it's the head gasket.

It's weird that all plugs are coated with oil, but only the front cylinders are displaying the most common symptoms.

Shot oil control rings? but unlikely the've both gone together...

Are the spark plug bores coated in oil? if so it still sounds like the cam cover gasket to me- otherwise it's unlikely to be both front cylinders? unless it's head gasket?

Get the cam covers off and take a look first.

the dreaded headgasket... i was really hoping it hadnt come to this...
although a recent oil changed showed no coolant in the oil- ill have to check the rad for bubbles.
spark plug bores not coated in oil, but had a little pool in the bottom- which i assume was leaking out of the drain hole.

theres a fair amount of moisture in the exhaust pipe too- the one from the front cylinders. when i run a finger around it it comes away wet, and very sooty.
how hard a job is replacing the head gaskets?

Depends how competent you are and what tools/facilities you have!

Confirm it bfore you stat stripping it down though...they don't go that often.

got a garage, a good few tools and i learn fast. mainly because im skint.
how would i know for absolute certain? things that make me question it are the fact that i didnt find any coolant in the oil recently, (changed four weeks ago, bike has been sitting the garage since then) little pools of oil in the plugholes, and a steady coolant amount. will examine it more closely when i get a chance- also check the front rad for bubbles....

This oil is coming from the cam cover,the head gaskets are below the plugs,
Take the cam covers off,Give them and gaskets a good clean, inspect the gaskets,if necessary replace gaskets.

righty ho, update time:

changed the rear cam cover gasket, and found that the old one had indeed been leaking oil into the plug holes- which wasnt surprising given the state the gasket was in... checked front plug holes, dry as a bone. plugs are still a little oily, although nowhere near as bad as previously... flushed coolant out, no oil in there- lovely stuff, also no water in the oil, which leans against the argument for head gaskets.

had a mate over for a second opinion on the matter as hes been riding and reapiring bikes for the best part of forty years and he was almost certain that if it were the head gaskets, itd be easy to spot (oil in water, water in oil, rough running etc)

so in conclusion: oil leak fixed, almost certain head gaskets are fine- now im off for a quick test ride around the back streets to see if shes running right.

MASSIVE thanks to all that helped, and continue to help... huge weight off my shoulders now.

Congrats, Smoky.
I'm giving my bike new gaskets and plugs as a new year pressie. Bit of money spent now is much better than breaking down later.

cheers fella, and yes- it certainly is. ive gotta get my rear in gear and sort out a few new bits now too. cant wait for the warmer weather! havent been on a proper ride out since october

Glad it's fixed mate,now enjoy it.