Motorcycle Repair: gas found in oil, petcock, flow 2

Question
My brother has been trying to fix a starterproblem on a 83 920 virago and when he drained the oil to pull the side cover off he found approximately a gallon of gas mixed in with the oil. Can you tell me how this could happen and if the engine is shot or what? Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Answer
Ok, do not fear this..lol.  It's somewhat normal, but a pain in the ass.  Either he doesn't shut off the gas, or the petcock has gone bad.  What happens is this:  Fuel will continue 2 flow 2 the carbs if it's not shut off.  The fuel will eventually fill the carbs and then run into the piston cavity.  Fuel then "flows" by the rings and directly into your oil which at small amounts starts the plugs to foul.  Change the oil, filter and turn off the gas when not running.  Good luck and let me know!