Have you checked the oil pressure oil pump may be bad.Thought mine on my 10 was lifters changed them same noise problem was oil pump.

 

Oil pump was replaced with a 3 stage Thayer pump when I did my cams. My next step is to plug a manual gauge in somewhere and see what my oil pressure is on start up.

 

It only does it with a hot motor. I can let the bike sit all winter long and first start up in spring yields no noise at all.

 

It doesn't sound like a lifter to me. I'm the same as you, when I have a noise, it'll drive me freaking crazy until I figure it out. I hope you get it solved. Good luck. Please keep us informed.

 

What cams? What pushtubes? Readjust the pushtubes. If it's happening more at the end of oil change intervals. Change the primary oil only and listen. Is there any difference. Yes or no. Change the engine oil only is there any differences. Yes or no. If your fed up with it figure it out. Get creative

 

there is alot of good suggestions here. hoiw old are the cam chain tensioners ? mine bike makes alittle noise too, but only when cold until they get some oil.

 

S&S 585 cams and adjustable pushrods. Primary oil only was changed, noise is still there. Engine oil is next.

 

Cam chain and tensioners are original but only have 15k miles on them and it's been doing it since before 10k.

 

The heavier oil 'should' quiet things some, but OTOH it won't fix any real mechanical issue (if there is one).

 

Its the muffler bearings!! Turn up the stereo, you won't hear anything.