This is my first GS bike and first personal motorcycle, all though I have worked on a few. I have always like the little 4 Cylinder bikes, and picked up this free GS550L. This is a 1983 16-Valve TSCC engine. My issue is the ticking noise it makes when hot. The noise appears to be coming from the top off the motor when checked with a stethoscope. This noise only occurs at idle when hot and is near non existent while cold or above idle including underload or high rpm. I know air-cooled engines tend to be noisier, and if the ticking is the norm I'm okay with it. I just want to see if this is in-fact normal.
I have not done a valve adjustment on it yet, I just took the valve cover off last night but the engine was too hot to check, however the valves were actually too tight, as an 0.003 wouldn't fit between any of the lobes except for one. (I know that is a worthless test since again, the manual calls for the test to be performed cold, which the engine wasn't, but it does show none of the lifters are super loose). The timing chain is tight. No lobes appear to have any wear. The oil and filter is new and clean.
I have attached a video of the noise, I am aware there is a LOT wrong, please focus just on the ticking noise and not the multitude of other stuff that needs to be done, unless you are thinking they are connected. Its still a work in progress. The video makes a the ticking a bit more pronounced but its still noticeable in person.
https://youtu.be/igT-InwkEEU?si=wqvtgWymOt-lxwNy
Should I be worried?
Thank you!
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