[Dudelabowski]

New member, new bike. 2023 with 44 miles on it now. Is a little bit of ticking normal or should I go ahead and check valve clearance? It’s the same noise that you hear in the “tdubskid” video. The video he met that feller from Texas but my bike isn’t ticking near as loud. Fairly quiet but ticking.
From reading on here thus far, you guys seem like you tend to your own bikes; steering clear of the dealership. I don’t mind doing stuff as long as it isn’t super technical. Plus, the nearest dealer is 80+ miles away.

if I add the link correctly the sound is clearly hear at the 12min mark.

 

[Errtu]

These engines are noisy and do tick. You could always check your valve clearance.

 

[Laconeznamy]

Seconding what Errtu said.

I don’t mind doing stuff as long as it isn’t super technical

If this is your level of comfort you can definitely check the valve clearances. You need a feeler gauge, allen key (5mm?), either 8mm/10mm wrenches, whatever socket removes the seat, and instead of the specific tappet wrench I've been using a square head wood screw to hold my setting while I (gingerly) torque down the securing nut.

Remove the seat, close the petcock, disconnect the fuel line, pop out the side panels from the tank, remove the tank, open the valve covers. The rest should be rather obvious. Intake (rear) is 0.002-0.004 in and exhaust (front) is 0.004-0.006 in. Do it with the engine COLD.

 

[RockyTFS]

Checking the clearance is a lot easier than setting it. Remove the spark plug and the two plastic covers on the left side. Remove the valve covers. Put a 17 mm socket on the crank bolt and rotate CCW. Put your finger over the spark plug hole and continue rotating until you feel compression. Rotate very slowly until you see the timing marks. Center the center mark. (Approximately, anywhere within the two end marks is OK). Check to make sure you are really at TDC by wiggling the tappets, they should click slightly. Measure the clearance with a feeler gauge. As long as it is within limits, button everything back up and wait about 4,000 miles before doing it again.
When I checked both my TW's at around 800 miles, they were still within limits. At 4,000, both of them were only .001 over. USE A TORQUE WRENCH on the locking nut, this is critical to prevent it backing out with nasty consequences. I use a square head wood screw just like LZ. If you don't have a 1/4 drive torque wrench, BUY ONE!

 

[SpeedyTide]

What these guys said. I used a wood screw as well.

Here's tdubskid to walk you through it.

 

[JustPassinThru]

I wouldn't even worry about it.

If you're not handy with a tool kit, take it into the stealer for its 600-mile service...valve clearance and oil and filter.

That engine is incredibly noisy. It's literally a previous-generation design...it was probably aged technology when it was freshly designed, and that was 35 years ago. So you're gonna hear things you won't hear on a new Honda.

Enjoy it. In many ways the engine is tough. Perhaps not long-lived (few make it past 50k miles) but for a tiny engine, tough in service.