Milky Oil on Starter

[DJWingrider]

HI, I've been having Starter issues, slow turning over of motor and sometimes starter motor not turning over itself, I have replaced battery and still has same issue so have ordered a new starter. On removal of old starter I have discovered Milky oil on starter and inside of casing above where starter inserts. I have removed dipstick and oil is not milky there yet, also checked coolant reserve tank and level has dropped. Bike is a 1995 model with only 33,000kms on clock, I have had bike for only just over 5 years, previous owner passed away and bike sat for approx 10 years in garage before I acquired it, could this be the start of head gasket issue?
see Photos.

[DenverWinger]

Since the dipstick looks normal, try this - Remove the oil filter and pour contents out to see what's in there , My experience on a Ford V8 with failing head gasket says the "milk" will start to accumulate in the filter, won't see milk on the dipstick until the filter is overwhelmed.

If you find any "milky" in the filter would be another indication of early problem.

Thing about Goldwings, though, is head gaskets usually leak coolant into combustion chambers and not crankcase. More likely way for coolant to get into oil on a 'wing is from water pump.

[DJWingrider]

Thanks for that, I will check on the oil filter and if it is the water pump it will be a much easier fix, cheers.

[DenverWinger]

If oil filter contents look good, could just be condensation in the oil gathered around the starter. And the area around the starter gets far more crankcase vapor and just splash that any steady oil flow. I notice you are "down under" so just coming into springtime. 1500's have a habit of leaking coolant in winter without another trace of the leak thru summer. Mine can leave a small puddle on the garage floor, I still don't know where it's leaking from because after I warm the engine up first time in springtime it doesn't leak anymore.

If the oil in your filter looks like oil and not milk, screw it back onto the engine and ride. Just keep a close eye on your fluids.

[WingAdmin]

If oil filter contents look good, could just be condensation in the oil gathered around the starter. And the area around the starter gets far more crankcase vapor and just splash that any steady oil flow. I notice you are "down under" so just coming into springtime. 1500's have a habit of leaking coolant in winter without another trace of the leak thru summer. Mine can leave a small puddle on the garage floor, I still don't know where it's leaking from because after I warm the engine up first time in springtime it doesn't leak anymore.

If the oil in your filter looks like oil and not milk, screw it back onto the engine and ride. Just keep a close eye on your fluids.

This was going to be my suggestion as well. I've seen milky oil collect in areas with poor oil flow, due to condensation in the oil that did not reach temperatures high enough to boil out.