Hi folks would appreciate input on what I'm experiencing

Symptoms:
1) Incredibly loud ticking sound coming from the head but not the block.
2) Huge loss in power. Will barely go up to 4K when on the road
3) Heard at all RPMs and gets louder at higher engine speeds. Is present at idle as well.

What's happened before:
1) Ran the bike on 1 quart of oil for 300 miles on the highway - 3 quart capacity. Did not know about about oil level until after I did oil change last week. Facepalmed myself
2) Sound was present before but barely audible. No lack of power.

What I've checked:
1) Valves are in spec. Spec size is from 0.03 to 0.08mm. Exhaust valves measured 0.04mm and intake valves were 0.03 and 0.06.
2) No shavings in oil when inspecting old oil. But will check the pan for shavings.

Videos of ticking sound:

The sound is emitting from the head and not the block. So I have a strong feeling it's the cam chain tensioner and not a spun rod bearing. But there's also a looming hunch that it skipped a tooth and the valves made contact with the pistons.

Ticking Sound 1


Ticking Sound 2

I know the valves are in spec but i would have shimmed them, they are on the low side. My exhausts were .05 so i opened them up to .10. I would shim the intake aswell and see how it goes.

Right. But if the valves have been in spec before and after this sound became present, I can eliminate it as being the source of the noise.

Will definitely re-shim them once this problem has been resolved.

UPDATE: Motor is done. Found abundant metal shavings in oil pan and oil.

Womp womp I won't be riding for a while. But I am keeping the bike because it's in good cosmetic condition. Local friend of mine has a parts bike for sale so will contact him.


Shavings in pan




Up close




Shavings in oil



Shavings in more oil

Most GS500's die because the owner lets the oil get low. These engines are incredibly reliable. If the oil gets low and it starts ticking, it's 100% wishful thinking that it's anything other than a bearing failure.

Yep and I found out the hard way. I'll have to be patient in looking for a new motor.