ticking sounds

I have a 83 midnight maxim 750. When it's warmed up, it's got some what sounds like valve train ticking. I checked the cam follower clearence and all is within tolerance. Any ideas what else could be causing this ticking?

 

Sounds like my bike...

 

I have a slight tick as well. I think it is normal.
Anyone else have some insight for us?

 

My bike ticks also. I've heard that is common with these bikes. Never heard that it was something to worry about. Of coarse unless it is really bad but that goes without saying.

 

It's normal.

The Seca is my third XJ and every one of them had valve ticking, even the XJ 650 I bought brand new with zero miles on it in '82.

 

Yes they all tick. If you don't hear any ticking noise from the valve train then the valves have closed up and they need to be re shimmed. Better to be a little loose.

I know it sounds odd but the wear on the valve seat on these and other types of motorcycles actually closes up the clearance as they wear. A good rule of thumb is every 10,000 km or 6000 miles adjust them. Reason would most likely be because of the shim & bucket design. ie: no hydraulic lifters to take up the wear.

These paticular bikes 650/750 had a very good value train and never did cause the problems that some of their competitor's had.

 

Yep, all of my Maxims have done that.

A little tick, tick, tick is always beter than clack, clack, boom!

How many miles you got on it? May need a little cam chain adjustment too.

Rusty

 

Tick is present in my startup routine.
It helps me keep a tempo too

 

11,800 miles on it

 

strange thing is I had a 1982 650 maxim before this one and it did'nt tick at all. Thats why I thought the ticking was bad or in need of adjustment.

 

I bought a new 1981 XJ650 Maxim in August of 1981. It began ticking with around 8k on the odo. Kept it through September 1989, but only put about 14k on that bike. But never any trouble beyond the gas and exhaust tank rust.