Topic: TAPPING SOUND ON #4 EXHAUST VALVE

[pinnacle]

I have my bike running now but i noticed that i could hear aclicking or tapping sound so i pulled out the stethoscope and put it tothe engine block all ok put it on the tappet covers and i could hear it only on #4 exhaust valve am i to assume this is just a simple fix of setting my valve clearances again or is it wishfull thinking and i should look deeper as i have to take the head off to fix an oil leak anyways.which brings me to my second question i put a new gasket on the head but have a real nasty oil leak near the oil gallery i tried retorqueing the head to no avail anybody want to chime in on procedure for fixing it do i put a light coat of gasket sealer on and retighten it down?if anybody wants to see what i am dealing with please go to project shop and under" heres my project" there is a vid showing how bad the leak is and where i see it coming from.Thanx guys

[Old Scrambler]

We can assume this is a CB750...............what year and model?  How many miles?  How long have you owned it and any bike history?  The tapping could be a loose adjuster nut hitting the inspection cap.  Or it could be out of adjustment.  Or, it could be a recessed valve seat that would allow the vavle stem to hit the cover. 

Your oil leak is most likely from one or more of the oil seals.  Head gaskets don't leak oil unless the oil seal allows the oil to get to the gasket. I did not look at the video because of dial-up service, but the gushing type of oil leaks at the front of the head between the exhaust ports is caused by failed oil seal pads beneath the cam towers.

[pinnacle]

sorry i guess i should have mentioned it is a 1978 cb550k don't know the mileage as the speedo was trashed in a spill i bought the bike for parts and ended up fixing it instead.i see the oil bubbling  out between the head below the end caps of the cam or towers if that is what they are.i have had the head off to lap the valve seats and install a new athena gasket on the head so i guess back off it comes.

[the technological J]

do u have any creeks or rivers near by?  i think the bike is too far gone..... u should build a ramp and have the bike take her last proud ride fly out in a fury of sparkles and magic of stunt riding.....  how many sparklers do u think u could zip tie to your bike?  the most important factors here would be beer and a video camera..... or i could be way off base and u need to just do ur valves again..... but the few beers i have had could render my opinion slightly salty

[Simpson]

Seems you have several factors to consider. I would re-adjust your tappet again,

[Tnutz]

i was going to say my 500 seems louder on 1...but i noticed the dreaded rocker box problem...so i have to swap my spare on i guess.

[Gregorymoto]

Start with adjusting the valve and then go from there.
Last time i rebuilt my 750 motor forgot to tighten down the adjuster and it made a ticking noise. No Harm no Foul. If you still have the noise after that start looking an the valve.
Good luck