Author Topic: Sorry, ANOTHER top end ticking question thread!  (Read 775 times)

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Offline hampton

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Sorry, ANOTHER top end ticking question thread!
« on: June 06, 2022, 11:58:33 AM »
Hey everyone.  Yes, another “ticking noise is driving me nuts” thread.  I have poured over numerous threads, but mine seems to sound a bit different….at least to me.

Mainly only ticks at idle, and dissipates as engine revs, on the left side.  You can clearly hear it at the end on this short vid….. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Vulkfwgty5Q

Bike is running very, very well and only has 7k miles on it.  This ticking at idle doesn’t seem to hinder performance, but is driving me batshi** crazy!

I have completed the following….
Carbs completely rebuilt, re-jetted and sync’d by my local shop. (I don’t mess with carbs)
Brand new coils, wires and plugs.  All nice and tight.
New exhaust crush washers, very tight and no air escaping as we can tell.
Valves adjusted, and triple checked as well as cam chain tightener.  (Tappet covers don’t have any marks underneath.)
Pulled side plate to look at rockers and they are centered, even added the extra o-rings for good measure.

What have I missed?  Or just thoughts in general?

Many thanks in advance!

Offline TwoTired

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Re: Sorry, ANOTHER top end ticking question thread!
« Reply #1 on: June 06, 2022, 01:45:46 PM »
If it is not an exhaust leak...

Use a mechanics stethoscope, or a long screwdriver with the handle end in your ear to probe about making tip contact and localize where the sound is coming from.

Cheers,
Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

Offline MauiK3

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Re: Sorry, ANOTHER top end ticking question thread!
« Reply #2 on: June 06, 2022, 02:19:37 PM »
Sure sounds like valve gear ticking
1973 CB 750 K3
10/72 build Z1 Kawasaki

Offline hampton

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Re: Sorry, ANOTHER top end ticking question thread!
« Reply #3 on: June 06, 2022, 03:44:34 PM »
If it is not an exhaust leak...

Use a mechanics stethoscope, or a long screwdriver with the handle end in your ear to probe about making tip contact and localize where the sound is coming from.

Cheers,

Gonna try this tomorrow!

Offline hampton

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Re: Sorry, ANOTHER top end ticking question thread!
« Reply #4 on: June 06, 2022, 03:45:05 PM »
Sure sounds like valve gear ticking

LIke up into the tappet?

Offline trigger

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Re: Sorry, ANOTHER top end ticking question thread!
« Reply #5 on: June 08, 2022, 12:46:58 AM »
Chipped tappet maybe or check the inside of the tappet caps and see if the tappet it hitting the caps  ;)

Offline tshrey

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Re: Sorry, ANOTHER top end ticking question thread!
« Reply #6 on: June 08, 2022, 07:16:04 AM »
My valve cover sounds like a home to a swarm of bees.  When I pull the cover everything looks fine (and no bees in sight).  I've added a bottle of ZDDP to the oil, next oil change I might go to 20-50 amsoil to see if that helps.

Offline seanbarney41

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Re: Sorry, ANOTHER top end ticking question thread!
« Reply #7 on: June 08, 2022, 05:01:57 PM »
hampton, video sound quality is deceptive always but I hear absolutely nothing abnormal except a loud exhaust note.
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline hampton

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Re: Sorry, ANOTHER top end ticking question thread!
« Reply #8 on: June 09, 2022, 02:49:33 AM »
Chipped tappet maybe or check the inside of the tappet caps and see if the tappet it hitting the caps  ;)

Yeah that was the first thing I checked when I adjusted the valves!  No chips anywhere and I don't see any signs of anything hitting the underside:/

Offline hampton

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Re: Sorry, ANOTHER top end ticking question thread!
« Reply #9 on: June 09, 2022, 02:51:04 AM »
hampton, video sound quality is deceptive always but I hear absolutely nothing abnormal except a loud exhaust note.

Yeah I know I need to post a longer video of just the left side  :-\
Will do that when we get back in town

Offline Robbo

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Re: Sorry, ANOTHER top end ticking question thread!
« Reply #10 on: June 09, 2022, 04:08:30 AM »
It’s not the key/keychain vibrating by any chance is it?  Double check just to eliminate the possibility.


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