Until I took my bike apart and did some work, it was just another engine, and it sounded real good. Got tired of the base gaskets leaking, did the top end, and now I've handled the parts, and as I go down the road, I have a visual of what's going on, and I can hear every metal surface hitting every other metal surface. Sucks, but I'm used to it now. Looking back, I should have just let it leak. After the top end, then the bottom went out. Paid someone else to do the bottom end, and then took a long time to get everything else straightened out. I have some other small leaks that have shown up.....and noises....don't care, it runs great!

 

After some major motor surgery , its very hard not to notice new sounds etc. because you are tuned into listening for them .
If the noises are present while not riding , you could try to pin point the location with a cheap mechanics stethascope available at any auto. parts store for about $15.00.
When you find the location of the noise , try to determin if its normal or abnormal.

 

I've put about 350 miles in since having the head work, lifters, and pushrods installed. Plus a few trips to town. So far, I've noticed there is no ticking until the oil gets good and hot, so the short trips to town it is unnoticable. After putting in some miles on my trip, it is more noticable, but compared to the ticking in some videos on youtube, its rather quiet. I was considering going an extra flat out on each pushrod to see if that helps but not knowing how far out the shop mechanic went, I may not. I can definately tell it has stiffer valve springs, it seems like it strains the starter to kick over, and has a much throatier sound to it. Just a bit curious why it has the tick only when hot.

 

The oil gets thinner when it's hot... My Evo is pretty heavily modified, heads, high lift cam, etc.. and it makes a lot of noise in the top end, the movements are more exaggerated with the higher lift and bigger valves, there's just more violence occuring in the engine, it means it's making more power...