Tappety Tappets

[DickyC]

Dear All,

All fine with the bike except that when warm I get a tapping noise which I can only guess is the tappets. Have used a screw driver to listen to the engine and this suggests that the noise is from the tappet area. Is this a problem that I need to panic about or am I doing no damage riding it in the short term. Just serviced the bike so reluctant to take her apart again just yet as a bit busy and its my primary form of transport.

Cheers

[GSPD750]

Dear All,

All fine with the bike except that when warm I get a tapping noise which I can only guess is the tappets. Have used a screw driver to listen to the engine and this suggests that the noise is from the tappet area. Is this a problem that I need to panic about or am I doing no damage riding it in the short term. Just serviced the bike so reluctant to take her apart again just yet as a bit busy and its my primary form of transport.

Cheers

Were the valves adjusted during the last service you mentioned? If not adjusted then I would start there and check for proper clearances.

[myfirstxrv]

If you can solve the top end tappety noise please let me know how.

Everything I have ever heard about this issue revolves around the answer "they all do that, you just have to live with it" though agree that valve clearances are worth checking

[africajim]

If the bike is tappety as you say it will cause wear to the camshaft and followers over time. It's an evening's work to set the tappets and hardly rocket science as they're not shim and bucket jobs but simple adjustable tappets.
An evening's work, or new cam and followers, possibly valves as well if they get bashed and a days work to replace? I know what I'd do.
I had a green @T many yrs ago, it's still going strong, a member on this site owns it now! Any how, it had an annoying tick from the top end, I set the tappets but made no difference. As the bike had done 35,000 miles I replaced the camchain and tensioners, made no difference! Doh! It's over 50,000 miles now and still going strong, I'm not sure if it still ticks but I believe it does!
Best of luck folks!