Black dust in air box.
 

Can anyone help with the following picture?

Is it anything I need to worry about?

Thanks in advance

JF

Look at the crank case and oil tank vent lines openings at the front of the air box and the oil residue around them!!
This is a common thing to happen,I've seen dozens and dozens of ones like this! Part of it could be from a little overfull on oil,steep climbing,and/or a normal accumulation of oil mist over the pre filter and back up against the front of the air box if you haven't serviced it in a while! Some can look like this in short period of time,just keep the pre filter and the air box regularly cleaned,plus make sure you are using the recommended engine oil. Crankcase vapors and oil mist have to go somewhere other than into the atmosphere and the air box is the logical source so fumes can be recycled back into the engine leaving behind the oily residue.The early 96 Sportsman and Ranger 500 used a dense layer of foam in the air box directly behind the vent tube to trap some of this mist,but eliminated it in later models.Only harm it can do if not serviced regularly is for the engine to run rough,uses more fuel,foul plugs,etc from a reduction in air flow.Don't rely on what the recommended service is in the owners manual in this instance! Just make a point to clean it after every couple rides or so and it will prolong the filter life also! OPT