Buying a 06 monster 620; oil leak from front?

[NGK620]

Went to check out a 06 620 with 4,860 on the clock.  He is the second owner, documents show he only put 1000 miles on it in two years.  There is oil on the front engine fins directly above where the header pipe goes into the case.  The oil wasn't fresh, and felt almost baked on.  I ran the bike and nothing wet came out of the valve cover.  I read on the forum that the front pulley thing (thats a technical term in ducati speak) has a gasket that does leak into the belt cover.  Or would this be from oil that was dripped onto the bike during a belt check? I've been trying to research monster as quickly as possible as I really want this one. It seems in good condition.  No dimples or other issues of notice.  It was dropped but only damage was to the front faring (scratches) and a scratched muffler that he said was from when he took it to the track.  I don't believe him about the track cause it would mean that he had this thing well past the point of traction.  Young kid, probably bought it on impulse now needs to gone.  I would like to help him with that.  Please tell me its cool so I don't have to go buy an SV.  Oh and I do have previous experience with motorcycles, but that doesn't mean I know shit about the ones from Italy.







And is there a o2 sensor that is supposed to be here?

[koko64]

Could be the valve cover gasket, if that's the case no biggie. Cambelt pulley seal is more involved.
Those bungs are for temporary sensors for tuning purposes.

[stopintime]

I'm thinking 'melted' paint, which is common on the air cooled bikes around the exhaust outlet.   

[NGK620]

Can you explain the melted paint "theory" please.  Never heard that one before.

[cencalal]

That's not oil - it's the paint that's discolored from the heat.  Several models had this problem.  I carefully stripped the paint from the worst and most visible areas on my M695 with Jasco paint remover.  This is tedious to do - had to cover and mask to protect surrounding areas, and work slowly doing one spot at a time.

"...won't have to buy an SV"? - Different animals for sure.  I have an '01 SV650 (carbs) that I've done the basic upgrades on - suspension, intake and exhaust, and I love it. I've done similar mods to the M695, and at this point the SV has better brakes (both stock), handles as well, if not a bit better, and gets about 40 more miles on a tank.  A better touring bike than the monster, but the coolness factor is a bit lower.
The SV has a shorter gas tank so the reach to the bars is a bit less, so I sit up a bit more on mine - again, better for touring.

I'd buy that 620...

[DarkMonster620]

620 USE NO O2 SENSOR . . .

[Howie]

620 USE NO O2 SENSOR . . .

True, but the stock US map was pretty lean.  If the paint is blistered might be heat.  Anyway, unless the aesthetics bother you, no leak no issue.

[DarkMonster620]

True, but the stock US map was pretty lean.  If the paint is blistered might be heat.  Anyway, unless the aesthetics bother you, no leak no issue.

looks just like mine . . .