Why is there clicking when you try to start your Yamaha big bear?

Answer 1

Download a service manual online and save. This allows you to print pages and get them oily and such. Also cheaper than book. Check your valves. Simple but time consuming. Take off seat and take out fuel tank. Mine is an 03, so might be a little easier than the newer ones, but the tank will come out without removing front fender and such. Pull the valve covers and pull starter. Take cap off viewing hole and get a wrench and set to TDC. Once at TDC move back and forth up to quarter of a turn making sure valves don't move. If they do move you are one turn off and on the exhaust stroke. Make sure you are on compression stroke. That is why I leave the spark plug in. The compression will hold your valves tight and the throw over will keep things in place. Check valves with feeler gauge. There are tolerances and I like to be able to fit the lower tolerance feeler gauge, but not the higher tolerance feeler gauge. Use a torque wrench to set the set nut on the rocker arm. Recheck. Turn engine two or more turns with wrench and recheck valves. Ticking should go away. Also use a higher viscosity oil to help soften the valve lash. I use Lucas 10/40, and will switch to 20/50 in the summer. Back to 10/40 in the winter. I change oil every April and September that way I'm running the right viscosity in the right temperatures. 2003 big bear with almost a thousand miles and no problems yet.