Valve Rattle

I have just purchased a 1982 XJ750RK with 13,000 miles on it. It seems to have a little valve noise, although it runs fine. Should I be concerned about this?

 

Only way to know for sure is to measure valve clearances, but some noise is better than no noise, as this would indicate tight valve clearances, which often ends up with burning valves. XJ's aren't the quietest engines ever built.

 

Valve Train noise is a trademark of the XJ-Series along withh Middle Gear Whine.

You will not know if the Valves are too loose for specs without actually going-in and measuring your Valve Clearances.

A factor resulting in Valve Train Noise is using Oil that's not of the right viscosity.
Use a Racing Oil in your Bike.

The Engine is designed like a racing Engine. The very one Yamaha dominated the Circuits with in the Eighties!

 

Thx. Agree, some noise is better than no noise! I will check the clearances on the valves. It did not have the correct oil in it when I bought it. It had 5W30 Motorcycle oil in it so I was told. I took a quick 200 mile run on it to check the gas mileage, (53 MPG) very pleased, then came home and changed it back to 20W50 Spectra oil. I haven't ridden it since I changed the oil last evening. I suspect the change will make some difference. I had a new 84, I think, XJ750 Maxim which I sold in the early 90's. As I recall, it ran a bit quieter, but had the same transmission/driveline whine.

 

I also was concerned about the "clatter" i heard from my engine. It's funny, is it all old fours? I'm always amazed how much this bike sounds like my old '72 Honda cb750. It also had noisy valves. 'course it had 53,000 miles on it, when I got it, but ran great. But yeah, better loose valves than tight valves. Mine are only noticeable at idle, when the engine itself is quiet enough to hear other things.

--'82 Maxim XJ750(current bike)
previously owned:
72 Honda CB750 FOUR(great bike, but transmission/headgasket/etc shot)
73 Honda ST90 (First bike, man, I wish I still had it, those things are rare)

 

That's what I thought about my '81 when I got it with 18K miles on it, and then I adjusted the valves (3 out or the 8 were in need.) WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! Quieter, smoother, stronger---like a new bike. Granted, the difference might be more noticeable in a 550, but you shouldn't put it off. A lot of original owners simply ignored valve adjustment because of the cost of having the dealer do it and the hassle of trying to do it themselves. You might want to go ahead and adjust your camchain right now, that one's easy.

 

When i first start Ruby in the morning, for the first couple seconds her valves are CRAZY loud. Then the oil starts shooting on em and they quiet down It was kinda weird the first time i heard it. I was like.. oh CRAP! hahahha