Valve "Clatter"?

[chicagorandy]

Haven't been around in a while. My bad. My geezer knee issues kept me off the bike for almost a year, now want to get back on and perhaps upgrade my Voyager with a Tow-Pac Insta-Trike kit?

At idle and faster my concern is NOT the usual lifter Tick-Tick-Tick that I view as 'normal' for this engine, an '86 XII, but more like the sound of trying to start off from a stop in too high a gear. A constant 'clatter' noise. Could it be out of balance carbs? Bad garage voodoo? Evil spirits? Something I can handle myself or need to take it to a mechanic or an exorcist?

Any suggestions appreciated. Also have an exhaust leak up front coming from one of the headers hiding someplace behind the radiator.

Thanks

[Nails]

I've been known to take bikes in to "adjust the valves" when they were spot-on. It's easy for me to get worked up about perfectly normal engine noises -- even though I should know better.

I recommend taking it to your favorite local mechanic, asking whether (s)he thinks the noise is something you should fuss about. I suspect that you'll ride away with a clear conscience and all the money you came with.

Else maybe even "Tick-Tick-Tick" could be cause for concern.

[chicagorandy]

I pulled the lower fairings and some of the clatter went away, I am missing the two lower screws. I'll have to hit up Partzilla or someplace.

Also jacking up the idle a few hundo seems to have been the key. Hey - I told you I hadn't been on it in a while. I plum forgot about the idle speed knob hiding in plain sight on the left side of the engine - lol

I need to get it out on the open road, such as that exists in a major city of course.

[cushman eagle]

I pulled the lower fairings and some of the clatter went away, I am missing the two lower screws. I'll have to hit up Partzilla or someplace.

Also jacking up the idle a few hundo seems to have been the key. Hey - I told you I hadn't been on it in a while. I plum forgot about the idle speed knob hiding in plain sight on the left side of the engine - lol

I need to get it out on the open road, such as that exists in a major city of course.

You may also have some partially plugged jets from setting.You might want to run a couple tanks of gas with seafoam to try cleaning them out.

[SgtSlag]

SeaFoam will never hurt your engine, and it will usually help it. I use it around once per month, to eliminate any water in the fuel system, as well as dissolving any varnish which might be building up in the system. Works superbly for moth-balling the bike in the Winter.

With regards to your lower's missing screws... Mine have had their screw holes broken out since I bought it, in 2010. I use black zip-ties to hold them in place. Never had a problem, in 10 years, and 27,000 miles. When I need them off, I cut them. When I put it back together again, I install new zip ties, cutting the extra, flush with the head. Zip-ties and Duct Tape: working miracles, saving the day, since God knows when! Cheers!

[chicagorandy]

"Zip-ties and Duct Tape: working miracles, saving the day, since God knows when! "

Throw in some WD-40 or spray lube and it's the 'Handyman's Trifecta' - lol