Clicking sound- XJ700 Maxim X

Hello all, have been lurking on the forum over the last few months as I have gotten my bike back on the road and it has been a big help, but am now having a problem I can not sort.

I have a fairly loud clicking sound coming from the right side of the bike.
Using an automotive stethoscope, the sound seams to be coming from cylinder 4, it is most audible on the header of the exhaust.

Bike had 9700 miles on it when i started riding it, this sound I think began around 10300. I have ridden the bike about 300 more miles and I think the sound has gotten louder, but hard to say. It is not significantly different.

The clicking sound is 1/2 engine RPM in frequency (had a friend look at the sound file to double check.)

Dose not always happen when bike is cold started, but comes in once bike is warmed up. Sometimes it goes away at idle, but not always.


Bike Details.
1985 xj700 maxim x
-Recently put back on the road after sitting since mid 90s.
-Cam Clearances checked. The middle intake cam on cylinder 3 is .09, so just outside the .011 minimum for clearance. All others are in spec.
- Thought the sound may have been exhaust leak, so all new header gaskets installed. no change.
-I have tried tweaking oil weights a bit. no impact on sound.
-Other than a Uni filter, bike is 100% stock (other than consumables, brakes, lines, tires ect.)

 

I also have a you tube video with the sound, but am unable to include the link in the post.

Is there some way I can share that here?

 

Copy the YouTube link from your browser and paste it here. Nice bike.

 

It wont let me, seas my content looks like spam.

 

I thought you would be able to because you have uploaded a picture of your bike. One of the other members will let you know how to post the video.

 

I see you installed new gaskets at the head but try tightening the exhaust to head nuts and see if it goes away

 

Simmy, I have them torqued to spec, and was careful to keep the gaps on either side close to the same. Seams unlikely to me i would have the same noise in the same cylinder after cleaning and doing fresh gaskets.

I also broke off a stud once already with the old gaskets tightening them up trying to make the sound go away. Makes me hesitant to over torque them again.

 

Have you got a loose radiator cover, anything loose on that?

 

I don't think so. I did double check just now. Can't find anything.

From going over the bike with the stethoscope, I'm pretty confident the sound is coming from the engine.

 

I've also got a similar ticking noise that is quite loud at idle, increases with RPM, did you find a fix?