Engine tick/tapping noise only taking off in gear

[Stephenabner]

Hello everyone, I'm new and glad to be here. I recently bought a 1981 GS1100 that has 26k miles from a guy up in the Indianapolis area and I'm in the process of restoring the bike.
There is a slight tick or tapping noise, which I thought was the timing chain, but now I'm not so sure. The bike sounds great at first, but when it's fully warmed up I can hear an audible tick/tapping noise only when I'm in gear taking off from a stop. Also, when I rev the bike in neutral there is no noise, everything sounds normal.

Here is a list of things that I have done and parts that I've replaced so far.
- Removed and cleaned auto tensioner. (didn't help)
- Replaced auto tensioner with an APE manual tensioner. (didn't help)
- I adjusted the all valves on the looser side per the Suzuki manual. (0.005in)
- While adjusting the valves, I checked the timing and everything looks good. I also installed the APE's manual tensioner while the valve cover was off to make sure the chain wasn't overly loose or tight.
- New d8ea spark plugs and coils
- New clutch
- Ricks r/r
- Ricks stator
- Delkevic full exhaust

I've uploaded a video to youtube so you guys can hear the noise. Hopefully, someone will know what it is and point me in the right direction.

Video Link - https://youtu.be/gQXTElibMoQ

Thanks so much for your time.

[Cipher]

For fun check the drive chain.

[Stephenabner]

For fun check the drive chain.

Thanks for your input, I checked the drive chain and everything seems fine.

The bike doesn't make the noise until the engine has fully warmed up. What is your thoughts with the drive chain? Are you thinking the front sprocket or shaft?

I may go ride to get some heat into the engine, and pull the front sprocket cover off and have the wife record has I engage and disengage the clutch.

Thanks.

[1978GS750E]

I can't hear anything out of the ordinary from the video. Of course, I'm old and don't hear so well anymore! I sent you a PM.

[Suzukian]

The chain could have a couple of links that have lost their O-rings (if it's a quality chain) and they may get kinked till they warm up. You could loosen up the rear wheel and check each link individually. That would be the next thing I'd do, after reading what you've done.

[Stephenabner]

The chain could have a couple of links that have lost their O-rings (if it's a quality chain) and they may get kinked till they warm up. You could loosen up the rear wheel and check each link individually. That would be the next thing I'd do, after reading what you've done.

Interesting, I'll check the links and let you know what I find. I was thinking about replacing the chain and sprockets anyway.

[rphillips]

I wish't I could hear it too, but nothing I could hear... My def. of a tick can be way different from others. def. of a tick.

[chris]

I too am old and deaf. I assume that is when the bike is moving. I like what the others said about the drive chain. If you do replace it go 530, assuming it has not been done already.

[Grimly]

Sounds like an exhaust leak to me.
An exhaust leaking at the port can sound just like mechanical mayhem.

[1978GS750E]

If the noise is happening when you disengage the clutch, when starting to move, I would suspect something in the clutch functionality. It just might be the new clutch discs need some time to wear-in?? How many miles have you put on the new clutch? Was the clutch basket tight on the shaft? Did you replace the friction discs with OEM parts or aftermarket? Did you replace the clutch springs? Just my thinking out loud!

[Suzukian]

I'd start with the simple stuff first. A new clutch should give nothing but better clutch engagement. If there is ticking from the clutch, it wasn't put back together properly.

Get a good D.I.D. O-Ring chain, it's worth the money, you're only lubing the friction of the chain and the sprockets at contact, the chain's O-Rings are holding in the chain's lube. IMHO.

[1978GS750E]

I'd start with the simple stuff first. A new clutch should give nothing but better clutch engagement. If there is ticking from the clutch, it wasn't put back together properly.

Get a good D.I.D. O-Ring chain, it's worth the money, you're only lubing the friction of the chain and the sprockets at contact, the chain's O-Rings are holding in the chain's lube. IMHO.

What am I missing here? The vidoe shows the bike moving at most from a few inches to less than 1 foot forward. How can the drive chain be causing the noise? Would you please enlighten me?

[Cipher]

What am I missing here? The vidoe shows the bike moving at most from a few inches to less than 1 foot forward. How can the drive chain be causing the noise? Would you please enlighten me?

Vibration can make a chain wobble and slap if its worn.

[Stephenabner]

What am I missing here? The vidoe shows the bike moving at most from a few inches to less than 1 foot forward. How can the drive chain be causing the noise? Would you please enlighten me?

Honestly, I was confused by this too. But I planned to replace the chain and sprocket anyway.

[Stephenabner]

If the noise is happening when you disengage the clutch, when starting to move, I would suspect something in the clutch functionality. It just might be the new clutch discs need some time to wear-in?? How many miles have you put on the new clutch? Was the clutch basket tight on the shaft? Did you replace the friction discs with OEM parts or aftermarket? Did you replace the clutch springs? Just my thinking out loud!

The clutch is a complete EBC SRK50 clutch kit. It came with new Friction discs, steel plates, and springs. The clutch has about 300 miles of use so far.

Now that I think about it, I did remove the basket so I could remove the piano wire to replace the steel plate on the backside. I reinstalled the wire and torqued the basket to spec. I'm pretty sure everything is installed correctly. But now you've got me second-guessing myself lol. I may pull it back apart and take a look just to rule it out.