Tappitty Tap?

Noticing a bit of tappity-tap noise that varies with rpm. Seems to emanate from left side of head, unsure if front or rear side. I cannot hear it with my ear plugs in, just when I recently rode a little around town without the ear plugs in. Thought rocker clearances so went ahead and checked/adjusted but no real change noted. Head was fully rebuilt about 7k miles ago.
Normal, carry on or need to start losing sleep?

I would just keep an eye or in your case an ear on it as Norton motors can be a bit tappity as they clock up the miles, mine has been tappy for 47 years and hasn't blown up yet, it's when they go quiet is when you should worry and I am still running with original valves in mine, guides have been replace 3 times but I have clocked up a lot of miles on my Norton, was an everyday ride since new and rode all year round till 2013, now its semi-retired but still ridden regularly.
The only time mine has been off the road was the convertion to the Featherbed frame back in the 80s a crack in my crank case, 3 left knee injuries and 3 license suspensions not bad really for 47 + years of owning it.
It's hard to pick where noises are coming from when riding and with ear plugs, have had parts fail but not in my motor, it still runs sweet.

Ashley

You could check the end of the valve stem isn't slightly concave ? , you could set .002 smaller than spec or better still , set a dial indicator on rocker and adjust to the correct clearance.

Shelby-Right said:

You could check the end of the valve stem isn't slightly concave ? , you could set .002 smaller than spec or better still , set a dial indicator on rocker and adjust to the correct clearance.

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Only saw witness marks on stems. These are kibble white black diamond valves with their guides as well.
Bike running well, power a plenty and mostly first kick starts past few weeks now.

I’ve had a few different engines (non Norton) that got clacky from excess rocker side play. This was enough of an issue with /5 BMW motors that the end play was often adjusted with a sharp thump from a lead mallet- which worked as the rocker supports were bolted to the head. Perhaps one of the spring washers on the rocker assembly has cracked?

Mine was quiet when bought. But not very happy on a run. Clearances (on the exhaust side IIRC) were too tight. I put that right and the tapping started! Runs really well though. I've checked clearances at least three times since and tapping is still with me. A healthy sort of tapping, more a ticking, not noisy, just present. So, I'd say don't worry, provided it's not an aggressive tapping. I'm used to it now.

Is the noise normal or abnormal?

If unsure, continue to use and monitor the noise to see if it gets worse.

If it doesn’t, I wouldn’t worry about it.

But if it does, then it’s abnormal and could be many things, rockers, pushrods, cam followers, valve giudes, to name a few.

I’d suggest investing in one of these, it’s amazing what you can hear, and how accurately you can pinpoint the source of noises. After some practice it’s quite easy to identify normal / abnormal noises with one:

Um, how does it work v. a old type stethoscope?

Onder said:

Um, how does it work v. a old type stethoscope?

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Maybe the same as a piezoelectric device, like a knock sensor bolted close to the combustion chamber , that a engine tuner would use to listen for knock when dialing in your ideal advance curve on a ecu .

I use a medical stethoscope with a damper under the diaphragm. A large screwdriver held against the suspicious part with one's ear on the handle works well too.

Slick

texasSlick said:

I use a medical stethoscope with a damper under the diaphragm. A large screwdriver held against the suspicious part with one's ear on the handle works well too.

Slick

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Hi Slick,
I have tried your approach several times on a car engine. My brain and ears were not smart enough to isolate the noise. Perhaps a non-electronic stethoscope with a pointer sound pick-up would help me.

Ed

If you change from a L R Fastback tank to a F'Glass Hi Rider / S tank , you get that .

IS the noise ' mechanical action ' or a erratic clatter . Could be the Thwackery Washers ;
woter SPINGS , where , if theyve worn a radial ridge in the rocker arm , are said to ' thwack ' . Hence the name ! .



Which is why some people shim em , or fit hardened washers each side .
Glare at the end of the rocker shaft with a strong flashlight , or runit rocker covers OFF
and see what you see , er , hear . May pay to have a absorbent towel handy .



A good Norton Tradition . You want the oil INSIDE the engine .

I love the look of that motor!
Mike

Could be cam follower side or bore wear? (Follower slap)
To check;
With the motor left say over night to cool and oil drain away. Remove the plugs and rocker covers then turn the motor over slowly listening to, watching for, or feeling with a finger on the rockers in turn as they cycle. You might hear a click and or see or feel a small irregular movement of the rocker indicating wear as the follower slaps back and forth.