Tick tick noise on top of the motor

[zd426]

Hey everyone, my 98 Valkyrie with 33k on it started to make a tick tick sound. It started quiet and started to get louder. It doesn't sound like it is coming from the side of the motor where the valves are. It sounds like it is right on top on the left side. Maybe from the air box or carbs.

I haven't taken the tank off to look into it yet. Where should I start to prevent working in circles? Any common reasons for the tick tick?

Thanks,
Zach

[bikerboy1951]

Sounds like the pair valves.  There are many ways to desmog the bike which will take care of many problems associated with the pair valves.  Use search at the top left of the page for different ways to remove them.

Brad

[Michvalk]

Or, you could leave them alone, and ride the bike Common sound, and nothing wrong. Just the sound they make. There is a small chance your exhaust is leaking, and you are hearing that, and just a simple snugging will fix it. If you just have to eliminate the sound, there are hundreds of threads on desmog. Just go to the opening tech page and search desmog, and read to your hearts content

[zd426]

Thanks for the replies, I already took out the smog stuff.

I'm going to start working on it tonight. What else in that area could make the noise? Vacuum or intake leak? Anyway one of the carbs could be making noise?

[The emperor has no clothes]

If it's already desmoged I would check the headers like Michvalk said.

[Tundra]

Thanks for the replies, I already took out the smog stuff.

I'm going to start working on it tonight. What else in that area could make the noise? Vacuum or intake leak? Anyway one of the carbs could be making noise?

 I have the same tick and it's annoying. I also Desmogged and still had the tick. I then changed the intake runner o rings (needed done anyway) and checked the header bolt torque and tightened all the boots (way loose) still same tick. That was 10 years ago, still ticking. If you find the culprit please let us know.

[wingrider02]

What did you use to desmog it?  I have a tick every so often from my 01, and couldn't quite place where it was coming from.  Did a cheap desmog on my Dads 99 IS, and one of the caps blew off...was way louder, but same sound as mine was making.  Have to check mine, but I am guessing the shiny desmog Kit I have is leaking slightly.

[Michvalk]

It is possible for the caps you used in the desmog to leak. Could be the intakes are leaking air. I don't know of anything in the carbs that could cause the noise. I would start with the easy stuff first, like making sure stuff is tight, then go from there.

[zd426]

Thanks for the replies again guys! I used cheap vacuum plugs from the auto parts store. They fit on nice and snug but I may need to secure them better with a zip tie.

I will let you guys know when I find it!  Opening the case of beer now to start my investigation.

[Tundra]

I used cheap vacuum plugs from the auto parts store
My guess is that's your problem. I used them the first time I Desmogged. They are just as you described, "cheap". I was riding much more then and they would quickly disintegrate or hairline crack which you can't see unless you remove them. I converted to freeze out plugs and Viton caps from red eye. I still have a slight ticking. I'm convinced its normal. ???

[The emperor has no clothes]

Thanks for the replies again guys! I used cheap vacuum plugs from the auto parts store. They fit on nice and snug but I may need to secure them better with a zip tie.

I will let you guys know when I find it!  Opening the case of beer now to start my investigation.

Yeah that's gotta be the problem. Those don't last very long.

[Patrick]

Well, if its been desmoged correctly and the exhaust gaskets aren't leaking then it may be the nature of the beast. Some of these monsters tick. Its one of life's little wonderments.
Its been thought that the tick could be the drive chain and I tend to agree, but, its never been confirmed.

[DarkSideR]

My Valk has ticked since day 1 at low rpms.  I have tried everything listed above as well as different weight motor oils. It could be a leaking freeze plug from the desmog. I have also been told it could be the internal oil pump chain.  It has never run bad. Averages 34 mpg, and has gotten as good as 39 mpg. I would like to find the source of the ticking, but may never find it. Only good bit of advice I have gotten is to get louder exhaust so you can't hear the tick.

Good luck and please post your fix here. That is if you ever find one.

[Tailgate Tommy]

My Valk has ticked since day 1 at low rpms.  I have tried everything listed above as well as different weight motor oils. It could be a leaking freeze plug from the desmog. I have also been told it could be the internal oil pump chain.  It has never run bad. Averages 34 mpg, and has gotten as good as 39 mpg. I would like to find the source of the ticking, but may never find it. Only good bit of advice I have gotten is to get louder exhaust so you can't hear the tick.

Good luck and please post your fix here. That is if you ever find one.

I'd go with music

[zd426]

Good news! I replaced the vacuum plugs, (one of which was completely torn apart) and no more tick. It is pretty much gone completely or at least I cant hear it because of my pipes.

Next step is where do I get REAL good vacuum cap plugs for the big tubes and the smaller ones?

[Patrick]

Good news! I replaced the vacuum plugs, (one of which was completely torn apart) and no more tick. It is pretty much gone completely or at least I cant hear it because of my pipes.

Next step is where do I get REAL good vacuum cap plugs for the big tubes and the smaller ones?

Well, it'll run a heck of a lot better. These things run like crap with vacuum leaks.

I use good quality vacuum tube and plug the open ends, I don't like any of the caps I've found.

I don't know what you mean by large tubes, there should be no large tubes.

[westnek]

hi folks =my thought from years ago on old cars was to stick a small bolt in the vacuum lines' and now with gorilla glue drip some glue on the bolt stick it in the end  of vacuum hose==has anyone tried this on valks  =thank you  west

[The emperor has no clothes]

hi folks =my thought from years ago on old cars was to stick a small bolt in the vacuum lines' and now with gorilla glue drip some glue on the bolt stick it in the end  of vacuum hose==has anyone tried this on valks  =thank you  west

When I desmoged my Standard that's what I did. Except I used RTV instead of gorilla glue.

[Kep]

My 97 STD has the same tick...39,000 mi , shiney de-smogged , new intake o-rings , new exhaust gaskets ,all new vacuum lines and caps , valves adjusted...still ticks....it has to be the CAR TIRE !!

[nogrey]

Good news! I replaced the vacuum plugs, (one of which was completely torn apart) and no more tick. It is pretty much gone completely or at least I cant hear it because of my pipes.

Next step is where do I get REAL good vacuum cap plugs for the big tubes and the smaller ones?

Get the good vacuum caps from BonS on this forum. He's the one who sells the digisync. Another fantastic product he sells. You can get the caps for $185 and he'll throw in the digisync for free! 
No, in all seriousness, I think the caps are something like $5 for 6 but cheaper if you buy more.

Now here's one no one else has mentioned: My friend's 98 developed a ticking sound that grew progressively worse as the days went buy. We scoured the bike for issues. Replaced all the vacuum stuff with really good stuff. Dropped the exhaust and replaced all the gaskets, tightened every clamp we could find, replaced the intake O-rings. Still ticked. Bike had been desmogged, but not with any of redeye's stuff. The tubes had been cut and sealed with JB Weld. We decided to look closely at the JB Weld spots and found that the epoxy had disintegrated on the bottom tubes where they mate up to the head just between the exhaust pipes. We manufactured a seal out of aluminum and cinched it back up. Ticking was gone.