Wow, I would never have thought that could happen. I'm glad you got it figured out.

And thanks for the advise on the oil leak. I am planning to do some work on the bike within the next few weeks so I will see if those head bolts are loose at that time.

Mike and his pack mule.  This is at the scenic view stop on the mountain on Route 52 headed toward Chatsworth.

Packed up and headed toward home.

(The rag hanging on the muffler is there to keep the strap from rubbing on the muffler......it is not yesterdays dirty underwear).

Nice pictures Dave. And one of those pictures answered my curiosity about your bike. Is your bike belt drive? Looks like it is.

Sharing information of the ones  I've had personal experience  ...
Springman , that BMW 800cc gets better MPG  than my Guzzi V7-II.  I understand the V7-III that has the Hemi head is more powerful and has MPG as good as the BMW , but it's still only 53 HP.   My V-9 gets over 60 mpg but the BMW 800 gets a little better.
Right now the V7-III left-over 2018's are $7k-ish new.   But the BMW 800 is a nice machine !   So many nice bikes to choose from ,  
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Ya know there comes a point when ya got enough HP and more just gets ya in trouble , like my nephew's with a 138 HP - 400 lb. Suzuki 750 , constant maintenance nightmare .    

 I think belt drive is the way to go but I would prefer tubeless tires and maybe fuel injection.

I think your right Springman .  I have Shaft drive , cast wheels , and fuel injection .  

The Shaft drive is not as simple as it looks like it would be.   I like the care free Belt better too !  

But as soon as the Royal Enfield 650 twin (48 hp) gets cast wheels I'm trading my V-9 in on one of them.  That will be 2 out of 3 of the good stuff .    
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Let me tell ya a chain story :

I rebuilt a GS500 (45 hp) twin 2 years ago .   Part of refreshing the bike involved a new "O-ring" chain and new sprockets , they are painted and sealed now.  I sold it to a young man for his first bike and still see the young feller regularly.  I paid for half of his motorcycle safety coarse to get him started in the right direction before I'd sell it to him.    
Well , he has put almost 3,000 miles on it and has yet to adjust the chain.  

So  , I've been told the new "O-Ring" chains are different in a good way - than the old "You Lube Your Own" chains.   I've also been told  you don't need to lube the "O-Ring" chains ???

I'll let ya know how that works out --- if they finally get cast wheels , they been saying they are coming soon since Sept. 2019 ???  

So Dave , have you got an "O-Ring" chain on your Ninja ?    and How does it do ?