Intermittent loud tick

drummerking55

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I have been slowly getting my 1979 xs650 ready for spring. My latest project was updating to the one piece push rod with a new bushing and seal. I started it up to look for leaks and all was good started with one kick in 25 degrees. Ran for about 10 seconds I turned off the choke and it kept running fine. After that I blipped the throttle and it started a tick that sounded like it was coming from a valve. It's a pretty loud click every cylinder fire. And it clicked a bit then stopped then started and I killed the motor. Any ideas on what this could be.
 
I tried loosening the timing chain just a smidge and fired her up again and I found that what was causing the click was the tach where it goes into the engine housing. The mounting point is broken maybe because I grabbed the wire and with no effort it slid out and the tapping stopped.
 
Take the clutch cover off and refit good parts before something gets in the primary gears. Check specs on the oil pump rotors
 
Removed the clutch side cover and all looks ok. The issue was the previous owner removed the bolt that holds the tach cable connector to the engine. That rode up which caused the geared post to come out of the hole in the bottom. Put it all back together. While inspecting I found pieces of what I'm sure is the cam chain guide. Small pieces and not a lot. Do I have to pull the motor and replace it or could I ride it a season and make that my winter project?
 
So I found 2 long plastic pieces in the sump when I removed it to clean. I think I will pull the engine before riding season and fix it but I am confused. There are 2 cam chain guides. One front and one in the back. I Want to order what I need before the job. Do I need both or does only one usually fail?
 
Only one usually fails, the front one. That's what those long strips came off of. It has a narrow strip of rubber down both sides and that comes off first usually. It doesn't necessarily mean the rest of the guide has gone bad yet. I've yet to see one worn through the rubber to the aluminum base. What normally happens now, after 30+ years, is the glue holding the rubber strip on gives out and it falls off.
 
I see in the diagram there is a washer I looked high and low for it. It's not in sump, not in the filter, and not in the side cover anywhere. Is there anywhere else to look. It is possible the previous owner removed it and did not put it back judging by other things I have found. The bolt that holds the whole thing in on the side of the case was replaced with one that was to short to hold the plug inside the case.
 
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