What's this splodge in my engine compartment?

[Zbornak]

Checked my oil levels today before a change next week and saw this white goo on the oil checker window. I've occasionally seen a little bit of condensation on the window but never something this 'orrible.

Is this water mixing with the engine oil? The bike is stored inside and I only ride it in the rain once or twice a month.

 

[Zbornak]

Thanks for replies.

It's one of two things:
2. Your headgasket has gone and coolant is mixing with the oil. This is bad. Check the underside of the oil filler cap and see what that looks like. Highly unlikely to be headgasket.

My bike is air-cooled. But, the top part of the underside of cap has in fact got about half a thimble full of the gunk in it.

 

[Zbornak]

Air cooled engine and white goo in the oil level sight glass eh? Just how much do you love your bike?

I'd say it's a love-hate thing. It's Italian.

Do you do lots of short journeys?

Yep, about 15-20 miles round trip a day, apart from the occasional day out.