Oil leak around exhaust header

[howitz]

Hey guys! I have a 1976 XS500, and after riding regularly all summer (30+ miles a day, most days a week), an oil leak has developed coming from my heat sinks around the exhaust headers. It used to be very marginal, and only appeared to be grime build up from frequent riding, but I noticed today it has gotten to the point of forming droplets and dripping onto my side cover (only one or two drops, noticed for the first time today). What's happening, and where should I start in terms of fixing it

 

[mydlyfkryzis]

Not familiar with your bike, but I see a phillips head screw/cap in the picture with oil around it....seems liek the place to start....Oil usually flows downhill, so the leak is usually at about the top level of the oil stain....

Clean the motor, run it, see where the leak starts. Now that it is increased, it may be easier to spot.

It is possibile it is a head gasket, but check the "i don't need to tear down the motor" spots first.

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

What mydlyfkryzis said.
Oil won't be coming out of your exhaust port without a lot of smoke in your exhaust. The oil is migrating there from where ever it is leaking.