Quite a bit of oil seems to be coming from this black square lid bit on top of the crankcase. Oil in picture and oil on the other side of the case, as well.

What is that? Does it use a gasket?

E: Fixed photo

Its the starter motor cover, unlucky to be oil from there. Take it off and have a look. Its just a couple of bolts. I'm guessing it's coming from higher up the engine. Decrease the engine and then dust with baby powder. Then after a few kilometres you will immediately see where the leak is coming from.

The oil clearly seems to be coming from that cover. I checked the cam tensioner and the block very closely along the gaskets and there is no oil there or coming from there.

what if I told you, that wasn't oil... but oxidized gasoline? 

mine looks the same when there's a leak somewhere, and there's lots of leaks on my bike... lmao I fixed my petcock today, so thats not leaking any more, but im sure something else will show up.

So, a fuel leak?

yeah somewhere... lol ill get a picture of mine.

Does gasoline lose it's odor when it becomes oxidized? I wiped some on my finger and sniffed it, but no gasoline smell.

Quote from: Iarn on April 04, 2015, 04:09:49 PM
Does gasoline lose it's odor when it becomes oxidized? I wiped some on my finger and sniffed it, but no gasoline smell.

it smells kind of oily in a way.. indeed it doesn't smell much like gasoline any more.

sorry my internet went out earlier, had the internet company come by for a second day, this time I just told them to replace the fkin modem.

I actually wiped it up earlier, I forgot I did, but there's a little spot the rag missed, that brown spot is actually old gasoline.

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Have you checked your carb drain screws? They're directly above the cover. When I got my GS, I thought the exact same- oil leak from that cover piece (before I learned quite a bit). Replaced my drain screws, then chased the leak back up my bike to a faulty petcock. But I was getting a drip from the drain screw first, looked exactly like yours.

I haven't checked those screws. Didn't even know they existed.

I'm actually taking my carbs off within the week to have them rejetted. That'll be a good time to take a close look at it.

Thanks for the insight.

Even if they look fine, I suggest replacing them anyway. Mine had no visible wear or reason for leaking but once replaced, the drip (from there) stopped. I get all my OEM parts from motosport.com and they're like $3 each. Just know that once you replace them, you should check your airbox drain hose, because if it's leaking from the drain screw but caused by a stuck float or in my case a failing petcock, it will now overflow into the airbox and leak from the hose.

FYI, I had this same issue and it turned out to be one of the side crankcase cover gaskets. The wind was blowing the oil back over and around the starter cover. As someone else said, degrease the engine and dust it with some flour or baby powder or something.