Help identify engine noise please?

[Guest]

Hi, I have a GS1000E 1978. But there is suddenly a very noticeable ticking/tapping noise coming from the upper R/H/S of engine. The noise is there whether cold or warm and doesn't seem to get louder or quieter at any temperature. The bike seems to pull and ride as normal with no smoke at all. Any thoughts will be appreciated!

[steve murdoch]

Do you know when the valves were last adjusted?
An exhaust leak at the port?
Maybe try the long screwdriver as a stethoscope to pinpoint the noise a bit better.

[60ratrod]

Ticking noises are classic signs of exhaust leaks. Could also be a valve. You might find some soot around the exhaust port that's leaking. If you get nothing from the screw driver, you can also use some vacuum tubing. I've used that to find vacuum leaks and exhaust leaks

[Nessism]

How long since the last valve adjustment? Could be a valve or maybe even the tensioner. Exhaust leak is also a very real possibility too as the others have mentioned.

[Grimly]

Exhaust leaks are a bugger, sometimes.
After its decade-long layup, I wasn't too surprised when #1 cylinder developed a slight bit of piston slap on cold start-up. I'd checked and tightened the exhaust clamps routinely, and the problem wasn't getting any worse. There was no sign of a leak, other than #3 which had a broken exhaust stud, but was clamped securely in place via a jury-rigged U-bolt around the frame downtube, bearing on the collar and putting a fair old bit of clamping force on it. #3 wasn't the problem, anyway - it was working fine, and not leaking any more.
When I had the front end off, I got around to tackling the broken bolt and eventually got that done; new gaskets, exhaust back on, started it up and - well, whaddya know, not a trace of that old piston slap, and not a trace since.
That 'piston slap' was nothing more than a frigging exhaust leak from #1, which sealed itself after about ten power strokes on that cylinder, every time. It had been doing that for the last couple of years.

[azr]

Does the noise change with RPM change?