Ticking in the 810!!!!

After i got teh bike home from the dragstrip i let it sit for a while. Rain great when i parked it. My boss said that i should advance my ignition, because it said it sounded a little retarded. I figured that could be a possibility since when i put the ignition on i got it running and called it good without fine tuning it. When putting the plugs back in i cross threaded one a bit(in another thread). I bought a 14mm plug chaser, and coated in in grease to pick up any possible shavings. It worked great. I put everything back together and took it for a ride. Now it has a bad ticking sound coming from the top end i believe. I thought maybe it was because i advanced my ignition too much so i turned it back to where it was. Still have the tick. I pulled the valve cover off and made sure all the cam caps were tight, and everything looked good there. I pulled the bike into town and had a guy at a local shop listen to it. He only works on harley's, but took a minute out of his busy day to listen. He said it sounds like a bent valve.

I checked compression and it was good in all 4. WOuldnt i be losing compression if i had a bent valve. Also, the bike seems to run about the same, doesnt pop, backfire, or anything.

ANy help would be appreciated.

Try a mechanics stethoscope to help pinpoint the area. Hopefully the tick doesn't turn in to a knock. Do you have oil pressure? Maybe some very small shavings are the culprit. A long screwdriver will also work for finding the tick. Dude this sucks after all the hard work and money spent. I truely hope you find the culprit. Good Luck and keep us updated.

Could it be something as simple as an exaust leak? Are all the copper gaskets in good shape. I've replaced mine before chasing a tick and that's what it ended up being. I've heard that some headers prefer the beefy, thicker ones.

"mechanics stethoscope"... Yes indeed, Harbor Freight tools $3.99, works great...

I'm having an issue when running hot, really running the rpms up on the HWY in triple digit weather for 20 miles or so I get this squishing sound in a chamber...

I know, weird and no other way to describe it. Several other members were sent a video clip where I was actually able to record it... they can't figure it out either, not a tick, more a squish...

Anyhow, I originally thought it was in the upper head/valve until I got me a stethoscope... Well, I was wrong for I traced it all the way down to the oil pump!
sonsabitch!

The sound is traveling up through the case/cylinder/timing chain slots up into the valve cover and resonating (being amplified)...

Anyhow, exhaust tick is pretty distinctive and easily found, not necessarily fixed mind but you but isolated to where it's at rather easily.

Jordan, spend the $4 and you won't be sorry. You may be surprised where the originating source actually is coming from... Comes with an 18" extension to get down deep...

OMR

What are the valve clearances, now? Have you readjusted the cam chain?

A compression test is only a measure, of how much air the motor is pumping. A slightly bent valve, can sometimes still pump air.

A leak down test, will tell the cylinders ability to hold air. If it is bent, it will leak air.

Should I say "take your time, you have a lot invested" It's funny, there are no books are info, on what to do after you start it........

PS- I would exspect the valve train to move around alittle, after a new motor and being hammered on, at the track. The valves should be checked alot, until the motor is broken-in.

Yes, i will be buying a stethescope. I am pretty sure the tick is mechanical. I am going to check the cam chain tonight and see if that is it. Maybe I will throw my kz head back on and see if the tick goes away to determine if the problem is in the head. For now, i will check all the little things that could be the culprit. Thanks everone, i will keep you updated

2nd valve clearances

k, i will check them soon. Not questioning this at all, just was wondering what i should be looking for. If valve clearances are off, what would cause the ticking.

jordan wrote:

k, i will check them soon. Not questioning this at all, just was wondering what i should be looking for. If valve clearances are off, what would cause the ticking.

That tick could be a loose, bucket to cam lobe clearance. Look for tight ones, as the motor gets some wear on it.

thats a fairly new topend youve got if i remember right,things need to wear together as it breaks in.

double check the operation of the cam chain tensioner it may have backed off a bit.

checked the cam chain tensioner today, and it was fine. I have an extra head gasket and a kz750 head, and i got sick of guessing so i pulled the top end off today. I am going to throw the old head on, and if it still ticks i wasted my time and the problem isn't in the head. BTW, the gpz head doesnt show any obvious problems. everything looks good under the buckets, valves look like they are all sealed, top of pistons look ok. I guess i will find out after putting the old head on.