[alanmcorcoran]

Bikes (and cars) that come from Japan are often coated with a greasy or waxy substance to protect metal parts against salty seabreeze/etc. This coating is typically removed by the dealer. However I'm guessing that perhaps there are hard to get to places (on the fins perhaps?) where it is NOT removed but it eventually melts or puddles below the fins.

When I worked in an auto dealer all the Nissans (Datsuns back then) came off the truck with the wax on them. (It's name escapes me now, but I think it began with a "C")