Help!!!

[Ericthered]

I have a 98 tourer. 80,000 miles. I have a loud tapping noise coming from the front left side rocker cover. It sounded at first like an exhaust leak and it only did it when I sped up. I changed the exhaust gaskets. The noise of course stayed the same. I Honda " tech " mentioned it was most likely an out of adjustment valve. So I adjusted the valves, well checked them and they were all within specs. Help!!

[Tundra]

 Possible vacuum leak?
Have you ever changed /checked your vacuum lines? Has the bike been Desmogged? The rubber vacuum caps can dry rot and split if you did not use the Viton. Intake runner O-rings, could be in bad shape although probably wouldn't cause the noise you describe. You already checked the exhaust and valve adjustment. Now check the simple inexpensive things. It will be easier to pull the tank and check all the rubber.

[Pappy!]

And.............Welcome to the Florida group!

[Thunderbolt]

Can you give some indication of how "loud" it is?  Has your bike been desmogged as Tundra asked?  If not the pair valves sometimes will make some noise, but not a hard tapping.  Usually it is more like a ticking noise.  Harbor Freight sells a stethoscope that comes down into a probe which you can use to try and pinpoint the noise.  Or you can use a long screwdriver holding the plastic end to your ear or the palm of your hand and listening through your hand.  Put the tip of the screwdriver on different areas of the engine.

[Ericthered]

I have no idea if it's been desmogged.  First I have even heard of it. But the noise is pretty loud it sounds more like a tap or rap. Way louder than a tick. It almost sounds like a rocker arm is slapping the valve cover

[Thunderbolt]

A bike that has NOT been desmogged will have a vacuum line coming off the back of each of the center cylinders, they go to a "T" up underneath the tank.  Are you riding the bike with this noise or are you holding off until it is fixed.  I am not a mechanic by trade and don't claim to know everything about these engines, but if you would like to call me feel free to do so and maybe we can put our heads together and figure it out.  I am about 60 miles SW of you in Worthington Springs.
Terry
Three 8 six 4 nine 6 two 6 five 5 home #. 

[Bert AKA,Valkaholic]

One Easy Thing To Do Is To Check The Compression In The Suspected Cylinders. Another Question I Have Is; Have The Timing Belts Been Changed Recently? Are The Cams In Time With The Crankshaft? It Could Be A Bent Valve.