newb question on engine noise

[nemopaice]

First let me say I'm in my 30's, and this the first bike I had or rode since I was 16.

I just bought an 81 Yamaha xs650sh 1 week ago. I absolutely love riding it. Today was the first time I rode it without a helmet and I noticed that the engine has a ticking noise regardless if I am at idle or moving. I have looked around on the net and see conflicting things?

Is it normal? or a bad valve? It seems to be coming from both sides of the engine. The oil is clean as a wistle (a little thin I think, but what do I know).

Also, it's not super loud or anything, but noticeable at whatever speed, so long as I don't have my helmet on muffling the sound.

[niterider]

Back in 83 I owned an 81 maxim 650. It had ticking noises, I had the valves reset, I was assured by the mechanic nothing was wrong. The noise did not go away. The bike ran great never gave any engine trouble.

[jmillheiser]

just a little valve tapping. This is normal, especially on older bikes. There is a tiny gap between the top of the valve stem and the rocker arm (or lifter with a shim on bucket valvetrain) this causes the little tapping sound. this gap is nesscessary for the engine to compensate for thermal expansion.

when you adjust the valves on a bike (or car for that matter) you are adjusting this gap to the manufacturers specifications.

[nemopaice]

Thats good to know. I was worried.

A lot of people told me that this bike was pretty good for someone who is either new or has not rode for as long as me. So far I love it. It's not the most powerfull bike, but seriously, why should it be? I'm nowhere near the autobaun.

Thanks for the quick responses too btw.

[jmillheiser]

the XS650 is about perfect for a new rider. It has about 48hp with decent low end torque.

[VermilionX]

hmmm... autobahn...

[DivideOverflow]

my 79 KZ650 has valve taps/clicks as well. Hearing a tap/click is better than not hearing them on these bikes. If you do not hear it, it means the valves are adjusted too tight, and that will break the engine.

[nemopaice]

The last bike I rode at 16 was so loud I never noticed any ticking. So it made me nervous. Then again, I didn't pay much for the bike (only 300.00), but I wouldn't want it to break down on me in the middle of the boonies.

I have been riding alot of back roads and country roads, untill I feel more comfortable in heavier traffic. Not to mention the roads around here have a lot of bends in them so I am getting use to corning. But I aint walking the bike back from the country

I do however think the stater/generator is going bad, and have nooo idea what it will cost. When I turn my blinker on it don't blink unless I give it some throttle. and at idle the light are dimming.

So if anyone has a round about guess of what that will cost I'd appreciate it.
(I have worked on cars for years, so I'm sure I can do the work myself, and I do have the repair manual. )

[DivideOverflow]

I'd check ebay and see if you can find one on there.

[TechTMW]

hmmm... autobahn...

The autobahn isn't that great ... very very strict rules. and they are strictly enforced. You want something to dream about, try the Italian Autostrade. No cops and no one cares about the speed limit.