I want to buy this bike but before I go drive to check it out, I wanted to ask if this area of the bike is any concern? Apologies if this is the wrong place to post this.

Chain is a little long and has been flopping around while they ride over speed hump cross chaining...

They have been dropping the chain a lot. Put a sticker over the paint damage.

So it's just paint damage? Should the chain be replaced?

I would replace the chain and have the bearings looked at by a mechanic and everything retorqued, cables. Tune up stuff.

You can buy an adhesive chain stay guard to cover that up. Or you can buy colored silicone tape and wrap it.

Congratulations on posting the least useful photos I've seen on here in a while. Yes, that is the chainstay. No, I can't tell a thing from your blurry/too far away photo. It 'looks' like it's just dirt and lube from the chain hitting the stay, but can't say for sure.

I'm guessing the crappy photos were taken by the bike's seller and posted on CraigsList.

have it stripped down, inspected, then if all is good.. have it professionally powdercoated.

You can play around with the bolts holding the rear derailer in place to ensure that the chain is tensioned properly.

Next remove a link (or two or three) from the chain

Nope, bad advice especially to someone who's not very familiar with their bike. Too short and you risk damaging the RD.

You are definitely not one to be giving mechanical advice.

This is not the bad advice thread.

Did you buy the bike? There is a chance that the marks are just foam/remnants from an adhesive chainstay protector that was pulled off.
...though by the volume, it looks like its more permanent than that.

Really nice bike otherwise and as mentioned- you can just wrap it or buy a chainstay protector to cover it.

You know you don't actually have to post on every thread with your negative unhelpful comments. Your comments are starting to wear thin. Maybe RoadBikeReview wants you back? Then again I bet they don't.

This is the seller who sells bikes in the Dogpatch neighborhood under the 280 freeway overpass, right? His name is Chris and he is a good honest guy. Just ask him if there is any real damage to the chain stay.
I doubt there is any real damage there. It's just scratches and gunk just like you would find on any chain stay.

[MENTION=527884]kevsf[/MENTION], that's a steel frame. It takes some real abuse to go anything more than cosmetic damage from the chain. If I saw dents in the chainstay, I'd pass on it but I highly doubt that is the case.

Chainslap happens, especially if you are coasting when you go over a large bump. especially if you are riding in the smaller cogs or chaInrings. That chainslap takes off the paint but (at least on steel) does no more, As others said, you can cover the paint damage with a stainless steel cover made for the purpose or any number of creative tape schemes. It's really not a big deal. The bike will almost certainly die of other causes long before chainslap of the resulting rust kills the frame. And that death from other causes might be 50,000 miles away or more.

If it fits, does what you want and tickles your fancy, buy it and enjoy! (Without actually seeing and shifting the bike and gears, the chain length looks totally reasonable. You may need a new one; that is part of the "turf" buying a used bike, but don't alter the length without careful consideration.)

Maybe he stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

The chain should be replaced if it's worn out. But it might be just fine.

Pro tip: Ignore button.