Old School

Check the valve clearances. If these are okay then it's probably end float on the camshaft and will do no damage. The only other thing could be starter chain rattle , which again is harmless. Good luck.

I'm with FJ12SP. My old FJ1200 3CV used to be the same. Cheap seals are available from your local engineering factors or I found a local company who build pumps and used to supply them at a fraction of the cost. I ended up replacing the slave unit and wished had done it earlier. never had a problem after that.

Where is the ticking coming from ( which side of the engine) and does it disappear when the revs increase?

Good shout there barkwindjammer. Helps to keep the skin on your knuckles a bit longer !

Cheers Drewpy, will give it a try, but was told by my local "dealer" that they were discontinued.

Spring snapped yesterday and I am trying to find a new replacement. Anybody know if the RD ones fit, as there seems to be loadsa those available on ebay. Distance between pins looks to be about 120mm.

Hello One and all. I am a forty three year old biker from Worcestershire. Currently own an XS 250 C that was my spare bike when I had my FJ1200 3CV. FJ went to buy a V8 Landrover. The XS is reasonable condition and is used by me and the wife. Possibly looking to get a Diversion or similar at some point. It's hard work on the old XS. Have worked on bikes for about 25 years on and off, mostly keeping them on the road and chopping a few Honda CB's back in the 80s. So thats me.