Any idea what could have caused this? First time having the valve cover off to check clearances, and noticed this near 1st cylinder second valve intake side bucket. Bought the bike with over 40k miles so not sure if this is recent or not. Can try and take better pictures.

2006 F4i

 

Can't make out what's in picture. Can you make comparison with other cylinders?

Most of time, damage is caused by poor maintenance. Using auto-oils on sale @ wally-world instead of full-synthetic moto oil. Not changing oil on schedule in manual and letting it get low. Failure to do valve-adjustments on schedule.

 

Here is one of the other cylinders for comparison and the original with area in question circled, hope you can see it better!

Looks like part of it has been shaved or chipped off at the top

 

Is that a chewed up cam lobe to the left of the bucket? Might want to rotate it a bit and see if it really is damaged.

 

Lobe looks fine. I'm wondering if the cams were replaced at some point after something broke? Don't know much about the history of the bike.