So, I've just got myself a GS500 with 44k miles on the clock. All works great, except that there's a horrible ticking noise that gets worse the higher the revs are. I'm thinking I'll check out the valve clearances and the cam chain tensioner but is there anything else I should be thinking about? Especially given the high mileage.

Sounds like exactly what you should check. Check those expected things and rule those out. If there is still an issue then you can spend your time searching elsewhere.

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Sure it's coming from the motor? Anything rubbing on the tires or chain? Check oil level too

Quote from: GSlowTWIN on September 05, 2016, 12:52:58 PM
Sure it's coming from the motor? Anything rubbing on the tires or chain? Check oil level too

I can hear it coming from the top-end, from somewhere around the piston area. I'll check the oil though actually. (And may as well check for rubbing too, couldn't hurt.)

The valve clearances were adjusted (and needed it), cam chain tensioner is all fine. Still, the noise persists. I recorded the sound while riding on my helmet camera:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOrU0s_9zPo

Just watched your video and noticed your tacho isn't working. Do you have a mechanical or electronic tacho on your bike?
If it's mechanical the drive comes off the top of the motor and could make a ticking sound.

Just thoughts.

How did you check the cam chain tensioner When you turn the motor over, on the stroke where it almost turns itself, there you keep an eye on the cam chain between the 2 sprockets. If it even sags a wee bit, that is the problem.
Cool.
Buddha.

Oh, exhaust leak ?

BTW, does the bike run fine I mean under load and everything then its likely exhaust or even intake leak.
Probably be lean as hell if its intake leak, but exhaust leak, wont be too lean and will make a racket with a little leak.
Cool.
Buddha.

The tacho is mechanical, and yeah it hasn't been working since I got it (no backlight either). The bike runs great though, starts beautifully and all; definitely don't think it's running lean, perhaps a tad rich if anything. I'll definitely check out those exhaust gaskets though and see if there's something going on there.

Quote from: The Buddha on September 19, 2016, 05:14:15 PM
How did you check the cam chain tensioner When you turn the motor over, on the stroke where it almost turns itself, there you keep an eye on the cam chain between the 2 sprockets. If it even sags a wee bit, that is the problem.
Cool.
Buddha.

Is this true for any position of the crankshaft? I have noticed this last time I adjusted my valves but tension depended on the position of the crankshaft. I figured that it would be possible if the inlet camshaft is tensioned (just passed the valve) and crankshaft or outlet camshaft in a (reverse) tensioned position as well.

-edit
oh I didn't read your post properly, I guess it does depend on it