engine noise

[GSinUS]

This is a wild shot since my description isn't very technical, but I thought I'd try.  When my bike is running, there's a slight "taka-taka-taka-taka" noise coming from the engine.  Otherwise the engine sounds good, with no knocking or anything like that.  Does this sound like something recognizeable?  Could unadjusted valves manifest as something like this? (this "taka-taka" stuff is very rythmic).  Could it be the tensioner?  On the subject of tensioner, is it one of those things that may need tightening, or is it that it either works or not?

[Egaeus]

that's the exact sound that valves make when they need to be adjusted. 

[scratch]

The camchain tensioner is an automatic kind (sping loaded ratchet); no muss, no fuss.
When was the last vavle adjustment done?  It should be done every 4000miles.

[GSinUS]

Thanks, so sounds like it's likely the valves then. 

It's somewhat over 4K miles since last adjustment.  I will take a look when it's warmer again, right now my fingertips are freezing from replacing the broken studs on the oil filter cap   

[luksi]

Camshaft freeplay is also a common cause of funny noise from engine.  It appears periodically and make more of a grrr-grrr-grr noise.  If it isn't intermitten and more of a tappity nose, then valve adjustment, I did mine at 6000mi and tappety noise went away...still hear the grrr-grrr every once in a while.