800 Tap Tap Tapping

[Zoar]

Oh and another item you might not be aware of......

This is a Kawasaki bike not a Harley Davidson, so just asking, what is your idle set at? Something I never knew and it was explained to me was the bike needs to idle at the 1000 rpm's at all times you can not turn it down to that H-D potato potato sound, because then the top end does not get the oil it needs. That is why the idle speed is very important......

Zoar a skilled mechanic like you can do a valve check in about 2 hours all going good for you, hardest part is getting the tank and seat off the bike....the rest is  easy peasey........sort of like making a large pizza vice a small one.....

I only make one size pizza. Perfect size. Not too big, not too small! (hahahaaaa)

I will look into taking humpty dumpty apart and performing a valve adjustment on my 800. I was thinking it may be a "valves out of adjustment problem" but was looking for sage input here since this is my favorite bike forum on the planet!

(and to answer the question about when it was last checked as I said in my OP, I just bought the bike last year and do not know its history and did not ride in much last year since I was working long hours 7 days a week most of the riding season).

Thanks for the input and confirmation that it is probably a valve adjustment matter.

[CDNRatMan]

 Oh and another item you might not be aware of......

This is a Kawasaki bike not a Harley Davidson, so just asking, what is your idle set at? Something I never knew and it was explained to me was the bike needs to idle at the 1000 rpm's at all times you can not turn it down to that H-D potato potato sound, because then the top end does not get the oil it needs. That is why the idle speed is very important......

Zoar a skilled mechanic like you can do a valve check in about 2 hours all going good for you, hardest part is getting the tank and seat off the bike....the rest is  easy peasey........sort of like making a large pizza vice a small one.....

[CDNRatMan]

 That is because I am 3 hours or more ahead of you....lol......dude.....

[dkeshish]

  Good day fine Sir,
22,000 or about 35,404 kms, if i am correct. So when was the last time you did a valve adjustment check?

damn ratman beat me to it....

[CDNRatMan]

   Good day fine Sir,
22,000 or about 35,404 kms, if i am correct. So when was the last time you did a valve adjustment check?

[Zoar]

I bought my beloved 2002 Drifter 800 (used) last year.

I do not know a lot about the history of this bike.

It has 22,000 miles on it. I did not get to ride it much last year as I was working 7 days a week MOST weeks all spring, summer and fall. But it seemed like it started to tap tap tap tap tap before I put it up for the winter. Oil level and viscosity is fine and it does not burn any oil.

I took it out this year and I am noticing a definite tap tap tapping from the engine, seems more on the left side than the right, when cruising down the road. No loss of power.

I am turning to this esteemed forum for input.

Thank you in advance!