Ticking

[John J]

I've had my 2002 standard for 4 years now (21k miles) and it's always ticked when it idles. I'm told that it is more than likely the Pair valve or something to do with that system. I'm pretty sure it's not the carb butterflies, tappets etc.  Is there any test I can do to prove it is the Pairs thing? Or better still, is there an easy way of fixing it that doesn't involve taking all the carbs out etc? It's not the end of the world but just one of those slightly annoying things that get to you after a while!

[AussieValk]

How loud is the noise? Mine usually has a slight tick at idle and I thought it was normal with that engine. I had a really loud chirping sound once which was a dodgy vac line, easy fix.

[John J]

It's a fairly light tick - probably the same sort of noise as you get when jumping a spark plug spark to earth. Difficult to describe but, as I say, fairly light and nowhere near as heavy and dull as, say, tappets that are too loose. I've often heard that this is common with Valks but some seem to get it and others don't which has lead me to ask if there is a fix.

[fstsix]

Pair Valves, normal, Desmog is the only way to eliminate that ticking, I have opened my Valve clearance by 2 thousands, and no ticking and no Pair valves. also check your exhaust headbolts or gaskets for leaks.

[RLD]

Probably the pair valves, get used to it or de-smog I'd say. Remember, solid lifters can tick a little also, again, normal.

[greggh]

Check the easy stuff first.
Look for loose exhaust nuts.
Mine ticked faintly and I found that I had lost an exhaust nut

Put a new one on and no more ticking.

Gregg

[BradValk48237]

+1 on the exhaust nuts...... 

[Mikey]

+2 check your nuts!  But remember they only get like 10 ft-lbs... You'll need to torque, heat cycle, retorque, etc. until the ticking goes away.

[John J]

Thanks for the advice. I'll have a look at the exhaust nuts tonight when I get home. I must admit I haven't checked them for a while.

[Challenger]

That's 10 N-m on the header nuts or 88 in-lbs or 7.3 ft-lbs and be very careful,  just a tip from your Uncle D.

[Sharkey]

Mine is desmogged, and it just ticks. I replaced all the exhaust gaskets, and re torqued everything multiple times, valves are right on the money. I have spent hours with a mechanics stethoscope. It has driven me mad for a while. Finally I just ignored it. It has done it for over 20000 miles and has not broke anything yet.

[John J]

Thanks for that post Sharkey it made me laugh and realise that I'm not the only one kneeling by a hot engine with my ear pressed against chrome. I'm going to train myself to ignore it too before I turn into Adrian Monk! Strange how we concentrate on the smallest of ticks on the bike, yet are quite happy to not even clean the car for months on end.

[fstsix]

Timing belts too tight?.........pipes too quiet?