Valve Noise

acbanks · Posted: June 9, 2009, 4:41 am Post subject: Valve Noise

When I first crank the bike I hear quite a bit of valve ticking that goes away suddenly after 30 seconds or so. Is this typical, or does it indicate a weak oil pump?

Valve lash set cold to .006" and .004". Running Rotella 15W-40. Air temperature is 70-95 F here lately.

penn71911 · Posted: June 9, 2009, 6:43 am Post subject: Re: Valve Noise

Mine will do that if I let the bike sit for a couple days, pretty sure it's normal. It's kinda like a reminder to not just hit the starter button, hop on, and blast down the road... gotta let the ol' gal get oil where she needs it!

nj1639 · Posted: June 9, 2009, 6:53 am Post subject: Re: Valve Noise

Good advice, Penn.

I'm .004 in. and .006 out. running Valvoline 20/50 Motorcycle oil for wet clutch bikes this time around. Air temp about the same. I had a tap that would show up after warmup, was a loose intake. Quiet now.
Just under 5 bucks a quart but with the time I've put into this engine I don't care.
How would one check they're oil flow?
Bet if you had a spare oil riser tube you could cut a section out in the front and put some clear plastic tubing in to see the action. Kinda expensive little tool it would be though.

weekendrider · Posted: June 10, 2009, 10:20 pm Post subject: Re: Valve Noise

5twins made a suggestion that made sense to me.
If your valves are set correctly it could be the noise is indicating the front cam chain guide is coming loose at the bottom. Making a tap noise till oil gets in between to "soften" the noise of it flapping.

5twins · Full Member Joined: Aug 05, 2006 Posts: 1616

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