Does anybody know what could be causing a ticking noise on my bike?

When I pulled the bike out this morning, I started it up and there was a loud ticking noice from (the best I could find) under the petrol tank, more so to the right hand side.

There had been a slight ticking there for some time but very very feint and I was told this was common on Kawasaki's. Apparently it's the Kawasaki Tick. I have a ZX-6R J1. I was riding it Saturday and it was running fine, very smooth but today it was bad. You could hear it in the house through the open window.

When I rolled the throttle/opened the choke further, it got louder/quicker. When I put the choke back, it quietened/slowed slightly so it appears to be in line with engine revs.

I've had to leave it in the garage today because I've no idea what this is and it sounds very bad - I was wondering if anybody had any suggestions/ideas as to what this could be???

Is this a garage/mechanic job?

Thank you... in advance!!

 

Don't know the bike layout exactly. If the noise is on the cam drive side, it's likely the cam chain tensioner has failed. If it's on the clutch side it could have to do with the clutch. I'm thinking the tensioner is on the left, but I don't know for sure.

Take a good listen around the engine. Maybe get a long handle screwdriver to put against various places on the engine and put your ear up to it. You can hear where noises are coming from. A mechanic's stethoscope is the right tool to do the job, but you'd have to buy one, only about $10 on ebay though.

Whatever you do, don't just automatically buy the line that Kaw engines are noisy. I've had two Kaws have cam chain tensioners go bad. I'm not saying that's it, I'm saying find out where the noise is, then figure out if it's not a problem. My "all KLX650s are noisy" belief cost me a top end. You'd hate to have a clutch break or a cam skip a few teeth.

Pull off the fairing pieces and do the digging.

 

Side note, the tensioner is a simple replacement by about any mechanical individual. Not too expensive either ranging from $30-50. Mine are at the lower price.

Still, listen around and make sure it is coming from the cam drive area first. Don't fix what ain't broke.