hey i have developed a loud ticking noise in my engine. it sounds as though it is coming from the rear right side of my bikes engine. i have recently carried out an oil change and there were no metal fragments or debris in the filter so i was wondering if anybody had any ideas. have been told it may be my valve clearences are out but any other ideas would be a huge help. thanks.

Could be the rear exhaust header joint, up behind the heatshield. Mine came loose and it made a surprisngly metallic tapping noise rather than sounding like a blowing exhaust. Right bugger getting a socket in to tighten up, but still slightly easier to check than valve clearances!

yeah thanks, have checked the exhaust and thats all fine so if you have any other ideas ther're very welcome.

If not the exhaust then hows about a check that your sparkplugs are tight?

ok i will give that a go cheers.

I'd be inclined to go with your first piece of advise - tappets need checking.

NC35 wrote:I'd be inclined to go with your first piece of advise - tappets need checking.

Technically they don't have tappets

They have cams acting on fingers that act on the shims.

What mileage have you got on the bike? If it is 16000ks then the clearances are due to be checked anyways.

Viper_Biker wrote a lovely article to show how it is done and if you have the patience and a few hours then go for it.

Bah!

"Valve clearances need checking"

NC35 wrote:Bah!

"Valve clearances need checking"

I know..sorry!

hey there my bike is just over 40000k's so i think i should check the valves. sounds alot of k's but on a bike this good i just can't stop riding it. Read the piece from viper and sounds pretty simple so i think i may have to have a bash. Got a quote from garage and they wanted nearly 200 squid.