Top end ticking noise - Should I be worried?

[danisawesome]

So ever since readjusting the valves and getting everything working again, the right hand side of the top end has had a ticking noise. With a wooden dowel against the exhaust valve area, I can hear the ticking loudest at the upper fins. The bike sounds and runs great as far as I can tell (no backfiring, temps are even across both headers, feels strong), but I'm wondering if it is something I should be worried about.

You can hear the ticking in the following video:

Thanks in advance for any and all help!

 

[bentwrench]

Hmmm... that doesn't sound right... is there something loose in there?

 

[drewpy]

I'd redo the valves again, and use the closer tolerances. Make sure its a sliding fit and not the angle of the feeler blade causing the drag.

what weight oil are you using?

 

[xschris]

Did you only rotate the engine forward and make sure it did not go back at all? If it has a chance to turn back while you are adjusting it can throw off the settings. Make sure it goes in full rotation then stops at the adjustment points. Even going back a little then forward can mess it up. The first time I adjusted the valves this happened to me

 

[danisawesome]

I'd redo the valves again, and use the closer tolerances. Make sure its a sliding fit and not the angle of the feeler blade causing the drag.

what weight oil are you using?

I did set them a little loose last time because they were too tight from my previous adjustment, but i will definitely be getting in there again today. I use Castrol motorcycle oil and I believe it is 20-50.

Did you only rotate the engine forward and make sure it did not go back at all? If it has a chance to turn back while you are adjusting it can throw off the settings. Make sure it goes in full rotation then stops at the adjustment points. Even going back a little then forward can mess it up. The first time I adjusted the valves this happened to me

Oh wow, I was rotating the engine forward, but was having trouble getting it to stay at the mark once in place, so I would have to go backwards a little and try again. I will have to go and redo them today without backing when rotating.

Thanks for the tips, guys! I will be trying them out and will let you know if anything helped.

 

[xschris]

If you take the plugs out that will help. I use a jack at the end of the wrench to help keep the flywheel from moving and line up the marks.

 

[danisawesome]

If you take the plugs out that will help. I use a jack at the end of the wrench to help keep the flywheel from moving and line up the marks.

The jack did the trick! All of the valves were a little off, but the right side exhaust valve was super loose, so hopefully that will fix the problem. I didn't get a chance to fire her up yet, but I will be sure to post here and let you know if test did the trick.

 

[danisawesome]

Huge improvement! The ticking quieted down a lot and it sounded better. Plus, I actually got out and rode it for the first time ever today and it was great! Thanks for the help, guys!

 

[xschris]

Awesome good to hear!

 

[drewpy]

Huge improvement! The ticking quieted down a lot and it sounded better. Plus, I actually got out and rode it for the first time ever today and it was great! Thanks for the help, guys!

that's good