*PICS* Please help me identify my oil leak

[Atesz792]

Hi fellas!

As much as I like to tell everyone how problem-free the GS is, it's getting less and less true lately...
So about 500 miles into an oil change I started getting a 1-drop-puddle under the bike when parked.
A few clicks later I removed the oil drain plug, and put on the washer which fell off while installing the plug during the oil change, thinking the leak was my own scr*w-up.

Not so. Naturally the underside of the engine was covered in oil, leading me to the above conclusion, but correcting my mistake did not improve the leak one bit.
It kept getting worse: I went to a track day this Monday thinking the bike was cured, and at the end of it, when I parked her, she developed a huge puddle of oil on the ground. I mean multiple drops in a few minutes.
A little investigation found oil all over the right side including the exhaust, and a little bit on the rear rim, too.
The cause of oil suddenly appearing on the ground was oil accumulation in the lower fairing panel, and the bike being leaned to the left side on the sidestand.
I came home, found the time today to strip the right side fairing.

Pics to follow (tried embedding them, did not work):
https://www.dropbox.com/s/w4sl1a8mrnak86g/20170625_103002.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6v7vq1nixoc67sq/20170625_103007.jpg?dl=0
I could slightly tighten up the upper 2 mounting bolts of the right side engine cover visible in the picture above, but I had to use some force. The others did not want to move.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/cnrsjf281mgvmhi/20170625_103015.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/t97o0z7dotty6am/20170625_103026.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/lrcj8d43e8s3bc1/20170625_103028.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/jahm1sdzjl5d6z3/20170625_103032.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3z3x4x54obst5n2/20170625_103110.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qazotyvcz1b8x7s/20170625_103118.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qsm74tv8bfshprs/20170625_103210.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/l960okpkvr6fmfh/20170625_103234.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xxvmgbgmigrfk6n/20170625_103240.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/oqwje73syyuzswt/20170625_105834.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/1t5b8jrps47wxek/20170625_105842.jpg?dl=0

[mr72]

Get rid of the ?dl=0 on the links and the pictures will likely embed correctly.

You'll probably get more help with inline pictures. BTW I don't know where your leak may be, just trying to help you get more help.

[Atesz792]

OK, thanks, will do when I get home.

EDIT: Tried doing so, still didn't show the pictures in the reply preview.

[sledge]

Where it leaks from and where it drips from are often two different things. You need to clean the entire engine off and monitor it carefully. However the fact its high and at the front suggests to me it coming from the head/top end area.

There are aerosol products available that will help trace leaks but talcum powder has a similar effect. Also florescent dyes you add to the oil that show up under IR lights


Just noticed your sig says you have seen over 40k..........not coming out of the breather is it?

[Atesz792]

Thanks sledge, next ride I'm going to wash her. Talcum's a good idea, too!
I don't think it's the breather, setup should be stock, gases routed into the intake. Can have a look though.

[Atesz792]

For future reference:
Due to the lack of available spare time, I took the ol' girl to the mechanic.
Diagnosis:
Right side engine cover gasket failed.

Replaced with OEM part. Old part was stuck on so bad, I had to pay 2 hours of labour instead of the 1 they previously mentioned.
Back on the road again