The past couple days I've noticed a new sound surfacing when I shift, especially when I downshift. Apart from the normal shifting sound, after the shift is completed there is a clear and distinct sort of "tick" sound.

I'm not really quite sure what to make of it. As of yet, I haven't noticed a degradation in shifting performance, but I think I'm right in being worried about it. I'd like to nip this in the bud ASAP.

Any one care to share their experience on this one?

I had a situation with extra noises when shifting and it turned out to be a loose drive chain.

You were absolutely correct, Lucas. I tightened the chain and the sound disappeared.

The chain was fine when I first adjusted it just the week before. When I checked it again, however, it was so loose it was touching the center stand. I imagine it was flopping around quite a bit. I'd even hear it during deceleration. Another lesson for me, much appreciated.

My last chain got pretty loose, and I could hear it skipping teeth on the front sprocket when engine braking/downshifting, and eventually slapping the centerstand.

When I pulled the sprocket cover I found several broken rollers in there. Rollers had likely shattered on the front sprocket when it skipped leaving bare pins. Really lucky it didn't skip off and seize up.

If you're a week between adjustments that chain might be toast - I wouldn't put it off as long as I did!