Recently noticed a chattering noise that sounds like it is coming from the top end. Only happens when its cold. A mile down the road and its gone. Have checked lifters and rocker boxes with stethoscope and all sounds normal. If it wasn't something new I would forget about it. Any ideas?

 

My RGS was quiet at first but did develop a little clatter after I had accumulated some miles. If the noise doesn't intensify with time, I'll venture to say it's normal, especially if it's gone when warmed up.

 

Possible sticky lifter. Push rods could conceivably transmit noise to upper end. Hard to locate sources sometimes as noises resonate through engine components.

 

Check the oil. I've heard something about that.

 

Yea maybe a lifter not bleeding up straight away.

 

I have started the bike cold and listened to the lifters with a stethoscope. They all sound the same.

 

Would that condition have the push rod smacking the rockers ?
Yo Marty do we have compression reliefs in these things for start up?
After the noise has gone away have you stopped then restarted the bike and listened for that noise again?

 

These bikes do have auto compression releases. Its hard to describe a noise. Its more of a chatter than a tick. I would describe lifter noise as a tick. It is only present when cold. I am 66 and getting hard of hearing. That doesn't help as I often get confused about the direction of any noise.

 

Check plug wires, a loose wire can sound like a click or chatter, when it fires to ground instead of plug.