(Of course, I search again after posting and NOW I get a result  ... Mods if you deem there to be nothing of value here, feel free to do away with this topic)

After a carb service and valve adjustment at the local bike doctor, I washed my GS, rode it, went home and gave the chain a bit of a clean and thorough lube then rode it some more.

On the way back into the house, I realized that the moisture around that left cover bolt that I initially thought was from the wash was still there. I finger-swabbed it and assumed it was oil.

Le pic:



Is this a common sign of an engine cover gasket in need of replacement or could this be from the lower cylinder gasket?

For those desirous of further explication and rambling in video form:

Well....it does look like you have some residue coming from the engine but i dont think that would be the cause of the leak you got there. i would assume that it is the gasket for the transmission cover(where the bolts are). However! If you do decide to do this yourself, be very careful when taking off the cover. That side covers the Stator(generator, alternator, magneto, whatever you wanna call it. I prefer stator). The stator is what keeps your battery charged, and if you damage the copper windings or the magnets, then you wont be able to charge your battery anymore. Dont use a hammer to try and get it off, just try to work at it with your hands or pry it with a screwdriver/crowbar. But to answer the original question, replace the gasket for the cover that the screw holds down. 

Thanks, I'll probably go ahead and order the gasket, not too spendy and I need to do an oil change anyway. I imagine the leak may be the result of that RTV kludge. The more time I spend with this bike, the more I realize the previous owner should be prosecuted for neglect. 

If you dont wanna buy a gasket, use ultra black gasket maker from an auto parts store. That's what I used on mine and Its holding up great. It was only 5 bucks too

The gasket is abt $13 from the dealer, about $9 for OEM online.... Just can't see not getting real deal for something holding that much of the beast's blood inside.

A liquid gasket maker, I believe, is why it's leaky now.

I had a similar issue where my GS was leaking oil on the lower outside part of the stator cover but before removing the stator cover I de-greased all of the sprocket area, clutch cover and rode it for a few days and noticed the leak was still there.

Once I new it was coming from the stator/magneto cover I ordered the gasket on ebay for $8.99, http://www.ebay.com/itm/Suzuki-Alternator-Cover-Gasket-11483-44110-Suzuki-GS450-GS500-GS500F-Gasket-/321240470341?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4acb6c9345&vxp=mtr, and it arrived just in time before the weekend. Here are some pic's of what I was dealing with as I had the covers off:

I replaced that same gasket when I discovered a leak down lower, making my left boot shiny with oil. That leak is gone after I replaced the gasket. Like they said, be careful when removing that cover. Now I notice oil on the same side and discovered it's coming from the cam chain tensioner and slowly making its way down to that side. At first I thought I had messed up the new gasket or something. You may want to investigate further. I have heard of (but haven't yet tried) giving the bike a good cleaning and then spraying foot powder in the areas you suspect. The oil will leave a trail in the powder leading you to the source.

Cautionary note re: 'prying' it off with a screwdriver or crowbar. You can easily stuff up the mating surfaces doing that... try gently tapping the cover with a hide (or plastic faced) hammer in a few places to loosen any adhesive, then work it off with your hands.

Well, getting the cover off and removing as much of the liquid gasket as I could took about 3 hours longer than expected & I somehow managed to induce a fuel leak, but I got that done. A small bladed tool helps get a stuck cover off. I just happened to have a pick tool that came with a soldering iron nearby that helped.

I think the leak happened from the generator wires pushing against the fuel lines while moving the sprocket cover around. Anyone else trying this for the first time might want to check the line routing to may sure there's space/slack while working.

Bonus: getting oil filter cover gasket to stay in place during installation sucks, not leaving catch pan in place while checking it sucks worse.

Thanks for the tips.

I'm sure some may say that all gaskets may seem the same when buying from different name brands but I have found, after using several different name brands, that the gasket that comes with the K&N KN-133 filter when you order/buy it fits the best and does not come loose or off when you go to re-install the oil filter cover.