Have a unusual brown light coating of oil (?) on the outer cooling fins of the barrels and head. Its not like an obvious oil leak ( eg blown seal or gasket) and I'm not 100% sure its actually oil from within the engine thats coming to the surface, a mate suggested maybe its oil weeping out of the casting as the engine heats up...that I don't know. Purchased the bike with 3000km and I did notice a small brown stain on the fins back then, didn't think too much off it as does come off with a bit of elbow grease, but does return later on. I checked a brand new XJR on the showroom floor and it also had small signs of the same 'oil' stain!!!! The dealership are not sure what causes it but my bike is booked in to retension/ check head torque settings. Just want to be sure its not the sign of a bigger issue.

Any ideas ?

Dingo1

Clean it up and let the bike run warm. Then check for leaks on the valve cover gasket and valve cover fitting bolt gaskets.

Oil seeping through casting... never heard of such a thing.

Hi Dingo1,
Had a simular problem with mine, i kept getting like an oil stain on the right hand outer cooling fins on the cylinder head, its origin was from the right hand exhaust port, removed the exhaust and it was a lump of road tar which was stuck between head and exhaust. I simply removed the exhaust cleaned and refitted and has been perfect since.
Not saying this is your problem but it's worth a look.
I do hope its a simple fix all the best with it, and welcome to the forums

I have a oil leak the same. my bike is a 2000 model. and has been good. It looks like at the moment oil is coming from a front head bolt over number 1 second one in. And that bolt is like rocking from side to side as if it may have been over tensioned some time. I am a bit afraiad at the moment to attempt to remove and add a new washer or whatever to cease the oil seeping from it, I suppose once "if" the bolt breaks in removing it it becomes a bigger job, yucksville.
Tell me a better way please.. flossie...

IT WAS ONLY THE CAM COVER GASKET. tHANKS GUYS

Just update on problem, well bike is back from shop and the mechanics are "Baffled!" as to what the fault is and suggested to keep an eye on it .....which is what I have been doing anyway.
Its not head gasket or rocker cover gasket as oil would be spraying out as I thought.
Would have liked a more conclusive answer from them.
Cheers