Should I worry about this?

[tslugmo]

Just bought a new GS, and I know I should've probably taken her to a mechanic to be checked out before purchasing, but that wasn't possible in my case.  Couple of things:

From my limited knowledge, is this leaking around the equivalent of a head gasket between top and bottom parts of the engine?  Whatever it is, is it normal, and if not, how bad is it?


Somehow (probably because I'm a recent MSF grad who was worried more about not crashing the bike during the test ride and following the 5,000 steps of the purity.net inspection guide), I did not notice that the gas tank is not lined up with the rest of the frame.  I think that's the case, rather than the frame is bent.  There is a large dent in the gas tank, and it makes sense that this twisted the gas tank over.  Is this just a matter of getting a new tank to replace it?

Top view:


Side that hit the ground (note that the frame sticks out from underneath it):



And the side that was top up, note to the contrary, the tank hangs over the frame:


Anyway, I'm going to take this to a mechanic, but I'd like to learn how to ride it well enough to get there without having to load it into a truck first.  Think I should be worried?

Thanks! 

-tslugmo

[dgyver]

Valve cover gasket leaking is common. Just a rubber gasket. Easy fix, either replace it or use some silicone sealant. Might as well check the valve clearances while you are in there.

The tank is pushed to the side. There is just a slipon fit at the front. Just push it back to center.

[werase643]

ya might even get away with tightenig the cover screws a bit.....do not monkeyfist them...snug them a bit....

tank is a push to fix as D stated
it's probably missing the rubber snubber under the tank that alignes it to the frame and keeps the tank from vibrating.

[tslugmo]

That's great news, thanks guys.  I was scared the whole frame might be bent or something, and I just made the dumbest purchase of my life, but maybe it even happened in transport.  Will let you know.

[ducati_nolan]

Check to make sure that all of your bolts are in place. There is a brackett that bolts to the tank and the bracket bolts to the frame. You can probally remove the tank and re-install it in the correct place (making sure all the bolts are in place and snug)

And yeah, you can brobally just snug up your valve cover and it'll stop or slow the leak. It isn't the head gasket so it isn't a hude deal if it leaks a little. It shouldn't take any silicone to make it seal, so if it still leaks, it would be best to order a new rubber gasket, but no harm in riding it with a little leak.

[The Buddha]

Yes, grommets and rubber snubbers (thanks werase) are what hold everything in place.
Make sure you have them all, and they not chewed up ...
Cool.
Srinath.