engine a bit "ticky"

[jasond]

apologies from the start - I don't really know much about bike mechanics. I've had my NC29 since July last year; when I bought it, the engine was really quiet. It purred. Just lately, I've noticed an only-just-audible ticking/tapping noise whilst it's idling & whilst riding. I can still hear the whine of the cams, but if I strain, I can make out the tapping. It's not so loud that you'd go "crikey, what's that?", but because it's my bike, I notice it (you know what I mean - nobody else would hear it, just you because it's yours).

I serviced it over the winter; new oil, filter, plugs. I've seen the odd comment about setting valve clearances & shims. Could this ticking/tapping noise be because they need doing? Is it OK to keep riding?

Sorry if I sound dumb....cheers folks

[willpisme]

When one of my coils died it gave off an electrical clicking sound which sped up with the rpm of the engine. Only at low rpm then the coil started to work strangely. Is it running poorly at all?

Also could be a downpipe leaking at the head.

Someone else probably knows better than me though!!

hope you sort it mate

[jasond]

hmm, when I've not been on it for a few days, it does take a couple of goes to start & idles a bit rough as if it's not firing on one cylinder, but that sorts itself out after a minute or so. After that it runs fine. Deffo not the exhaust - I've checked.

[CMSMJ1]

Why don't you do the valve clearances? It is not rocket science mate..

[jasond]

Anything like that id shy away from, but i sat & read haynes manual & it looks fairly straightforward..might do...will it do any harm leaving it for now? Want to enjoy the "summer" rather than have bike in bits

[CMSMJ1]

You can do it in a day...easy.

It can be done in a few hours to be fair.. but first time round is a ballache

[dunkenb]

Did you manage to sort this problem ??

[jasond]

nope. Never attempted the valve clearances either. Just kept riding it. Still there though - not got any worse either.....