Engine sound

I'm one of those people that's constantly listening to/feeling their car or bike and wondering if it sounds normal. Wait, what was that? Is that a new sound? Did I just feel a weird vibration? Probably pretty recognizable for some people.

But, as a complete oldtimer motorcycle newbie and spanking new owner of an XJ550 (4V8 from '81), I haven't got a clue how my bike is supposed to sound ... I know it sounds delightful above 5000 rpm, but when idling, I hear a lot of rapid clicking. I made a video after a drive:



Is this how she's supposed to sound? I also just noticed what appears to be an exhaust leak?

Sorry if I come off as a noob here. I'm trying to pick this up as I go along.

TIA.

 

clicking or ticking that is the sound of the valve train. its a normal sound.
fix the exhaust leak

set your idle rpm to 1100 or 1200 rpm. the primary chain can make a sound at that rpm due to the oil tensioner.

 

A flappy engine is a happy engine , when it stops doing this is when problems start. After adjusting valve shims it will scare you the noise level is raised till it seats in .

 

Okay, I just ordered the parts I need to check my valve clearances. Part of the challenge is finding the correct translation for these parts. Apparently, a valve shim is a klepstelschijf in Dutch. Who knew?

 

klepstelschijf is Valve Set Disk

 

I'll have to go Poe's law on this one, can't tell if you're serious or not. Tbh, getting the correct translations for the jargon so I can find the parts locally can be quite a bitch sometimes. It's not as if Dutch is such a widespread language.

 

that is what google translate gave me for the translation. from dutch to English

from English to Dutch
Valve is Klep

schijf is disc