base gasket oil leak

when I first got my bike last October, it ran superbly never leaked a drop until I painted the barrels and crankcase with smooth silver hammerite paint 2 months ago, its really strange. But an engine strip is out of my experience range. Thanks zed

I got the bike last October and it runs superb other than this weep that started 2 months ago when I painted the barrels and crankcase with smooth silver paint, thanks zed

It'll be the oil seal behind the water pump, the oil finds it's way out of the water pump drain hole situated near the base gasket. Check it's not coming out of there first.

thanks phil, is that a smaller job than the base gasket?

Yes, much smaller. It's recommended that you replace the mechanical seal whilst you're in there. The procedure's in the manual. The only difficulty you may have is getting the water pump impeller off, as I did. Also buy a genuine Kawasaki mechanical seal as the pattern ones aren't great.
First of all I'd clean up the area where the oil leak is, then run the engine to see if the oil is coming out of the water pump drain hole near the base gasket. I'm 95% sure it will be.

thanks again phil, as soon as I get back I will do this and I will let you know how I got on.