Water in the Air vent Collector thingy?

Being new to road bikes, y VF750F is the first bike I,ve had which has a vent collector thingy - the container that looks like a radiator resivour but is plumbed into the airbox and vrank case fumes too I think. 2 Questions.
1. What is the purpose of this.
2. Mine was probably half full of water when I stripped the bike down. (At first look I actually thought it was part of the cooling system and wondered why it had dirty water in it and not nice green coolant like the other resivour).
Is it normal to collect water, and is it just a sign of lack of maintenance that the PO diddnt drain it out at regular intervals? Or is this a sign of some problem. There was no sign of moisture buildup under the cam covers or milky oil (although the oil was dirty)

 

Ironic you should ask, rainman, cuz that water accumulates in the airbox normally while riding in heavy rain and goes into the tube so you can drain it away or didja ride through a bilabong while u wuz drunkin'?

 

I questioned that container too Rainman when I tore into my VF a couple months ago. It's supposed to collect any condensation and oil from the two crankcase vent tubes. Normal maintenance item - pull the plug on the drain tube to let any accumulated liquid out. Can't imagine one being half full of water tho... Just keep an eye on it once you get things fired up again.

 

Not me but maybe PO did?!! There was a lot of water in the frame too and I thought maybe it had been under water and was concerned.. But Ive had open the carbs, forks, sump and side coders off the motor and there was no sign of water - phew. So far I only have ridden the bike around inside a warehouse and no billabong there!!

Thanks for your help - your forgiven for dissing Gen 1 VFs now:smile:

 

Nighthawk had that too, it collects condensation, remove black plug and let it drain. Like they said above, normal maintenance item.