Old bike.....new leaks! Suggestions where to start?

Background on my bike:

1982 XJ750 Maxim. 27000miles almost on the dot.

The bike has been very clean for the last 5000 miles or so since I purchased it, and is running very well. It never bogs down or over revvs at all. It is a bit cold blooded when I first start it up, but once its warm it runs great and idles perfectly.

Ive noticed a gas leak from a bolt on the head of the bike, see picture for location as I can't quite find the words to describe it.

I've also noticed that the cranckcase breather tube that goes up to the carbureators is starting to get covered in oil/grime. Does this mean I've got ring issues now (or in my immediate future)? The bike is still running very well, but I seem to have lost some MPGs, I used to get 200+ per tank of gas, and now I'm getting 175ish. Maybe its because I'm leaking gas?

I'm just not sure where to start at this point, any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

Is it gas or oil?

Gas it's got to be coming from the tank. I'd look closely for the hole before I do alot more riding with it.

 

Its definately gas. I've stopped riding it since there is gas on top of the motor!

The gas seems to be literally coming up and out of that bolt on the head. It just doesnt make any sense to me

 

Got to be coming from the tank. The seam maybe? I don't see how else it'd get there.

Blowing out the spark plug hole? unlikely.

 

I'll have to doublecheck, but like I said the tank is clean. There is nothing on the tank at all! Its just really weird.

 

That is a valve cover bolt, there is no way for anything to "come out of it". You are seeing the result of a leak. You need to get out the specticals with a flashlight and have a look around. Lift the tank and look up under it. See any tattle tale tracks? From the sounds of the "caking" crud on the breather tube and such you have an oil leak. You ought to be concerned about valve leakage only if you find that crud inside of that tube. Time to give 'ol Bessie a bath, ride it a bit, then sprinkle the talc powder over the area. The powder will stick to the oil/fuel, not the clean metal.

 

Thanks for the tips Robert. I'll be doing just that!

I keep the bike really clean because I've alwyas been told "Keep it clean and you'll see a problem right away". My father pounded that into my head from an early age!

Talc powder is a new one for me though, and it seems like a great method ha!