Hi,
I have a 2002 V11 Le mans. I have noticed recently some "clicking" noise coming from the left head cover. I figured out the bike was due for valve clearance. I did open the head cover and found the intake valve set correctly, and the exhaust set to 0.8mm!! I did adjust (0.18mm), check the Right side, which was set correctly, closed everything, the noise was gone. 2 weeks later and about 200miles, same noise came back, from same left side...damned. I opened the cover again, intake valve clearance OK, exhaust valve clearance was at 0.6mm!! I checked if the adjust bolt/screw was loose, it wasn't. I then decided to check pushrods and tappets, and surprise, I found the exhaust tappet pretty wear/damaged and shorter than the intake one (picture enclosed). I'm wordering what could have caused this, and why only one tappet out of the 4 would have been damaged? I removed the complete head to access the tappets, but I cannot access the camshaft, without removing the timing system, I'm wondering now if I should check the camshaft to verify if the lobe has been damaged as well. Any recommendation?
Olivier
Seattle, WA