PLEASE HELP! Valve cover oil leak...

Thanks for viewing this-
This is a 1982 kz1000m2csr engine. About 600 miles, runs fantastic, but it has not been run consistently in about 30 years. After about 50 miles of riding I noticed that I was getting a very slow leak by the valve cover. I can't tell if it is from that large jug nut, or from underneath the valve cover gasket.
Has anyone ever had this problem before, is it common?
What should I do to fix it?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

looks like the end plugs to me
give her a good cleaning and see where it starts to leak

Yep end plugs. Get a valve a cover gasket with new end plugs and it will be fixed

Are the cam/valve cover bolts torqued to specs?

Is the oil seepage confined to this particular area?

Good Fortune!

Thank you to all that have read, and also that have replied.

Patton, I assume your taking about the large chrome bolt heads? Do you know the torque amount off hand?
Thank you.

KzChop82 wrote: ... the large chrome bolt heads?....

Nope, not the large chrome head bolts.

Meaning the 16~20 bolts that attach the cam cover (aka valve cover) to the head.

The oil seepage might be through the gasket situated underneath the cover.

Would clean the engine, allow it to thoroughly dry, spray foot powder onto suspected leak areas (all over edges of the cam cover and head gaskets, around the tach drive and exhaust clamps, etc.). It should then look like a clean white blanket of freshly fallen snow. :lol:

Start the engine, and watch for appearance of darkening area where the oil is coming through the powder.
The source of leak is usually very evident.

Lots of good info on kawasaki.com, including parts diagrams, part names, part numbers, models sharing same part, availability, etc. Here's a link for help with navigating the site and finding information.
kzrider.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&...w&catid=13&id=376734

Good Fortune!

KzChop82 wrote: Thank you to all that have read, and also that have replied.

Patton, I assume your taking about the large chrome bolt heads? Do you know the torque amount off hand?
Thank you.

The small valve cover bolts are spec'd at about 100 INCH-pounds, but I think that's too high. I think maybe 60 - 70 Inch pounds is enough. I torque them with a short 10mm wrench and go by feel.

To all that have replied- thanks much for your help. I think it is amazing as to how fast some of the responses came in. If you all are anything like me- when there is an issue with my bike, I think about it constantly. It's sort of consuming. You put so much time and effort into a project like this- I like to solve problems ASAP.
Great forum and members.