Sound familiar?

[Damn Yankee]

Magna 3G, '95, north of  33-K...using synthetic oil...

When I am idling at the traffic light, I can hear a faint click-click-click coming from the engine. Doesn't happen every time, but I'm wondering if something needs adjusting, if that's natural, or if I need to update my will.

This happens regardless of the engine being cold or at running temperature. I don't gun it or run it at excessive speeds. (70-75 mph for commuting purposes). Your thoughts?

[roboto65]

Valve train noise nothing new LOL Now if the tensioner goes you will know it LOL

[TLRam1]

Get louder pipes.

BTW - How often does the tensioner go out? I saw Charles did a Sanford and Son fix or an idea if caught away from parts. Is this something that should be checked at 50K?

[roboto65]

Not much to check it does not happen often but it has happened a few times most for us that spend our time with our fully clocked and locked at full speed  And it is the front one that goes mostly!!!

[L J VFR]

Damn Yankee, Have you ever had the valves adjusted?  Or do you know if the valves have been adjusted?   I don't know if this is something you might be interested in checking, but if I heard valvetrain noise I would probably check my valve clearances.  Which brings me to another question, Is checking the valves on these bikes overrated?  I seen where one bike had never been checked or adjusted, and checked at 50,000 miles and was still within tolerance..   Any opinions on this??  

[roboto65]

I have not checked ALL of mine just the rears and one or two were on the tight end of the clearance scale not loose I have 62,000 miles on mine. I will probably check mine here soon but it is rare that the clearances are off much. on amother note I would want my clearances to be on the loose side instead of the tight side better loose than tight!!!! Well with valves anyway 

[Greg Cothern]

The valve adjustment has proven on most of the over 20 bike owners I have talked to that have taken them in to the dealership to be checked was a waste of time. 
I have only heard of 2 being off at all, and they were so close no change was made.  I would use my $$$ toward something more worth while if my fuel economy and power were good!
If you like to play around and have the feeler gauges and understand the process and want to do it, GO FOR IT!  But if you are thinking of paying your dealership a few hundred dollars, save your money!

[Sledge Hammer]

Okay, I have to throw out the obvious question from the Less Mechanically Knowledgable side of the peanut gallery: if the valves were out of adjustment such that the engine were not having problems running, what would the likely long-term effects of that misadjustment be? Anything in the way of permanent engine damage?

[Greg Cothern]

If too tight it can wear on the valve seat and the valve.  Stretch a valve, premature wear basically.
If it were too loose, poor performance and less sealing of the cylinder.

[Sledge Hammer]

Good information to have. Thanks, Greg!