Motorcycle Repair: shovelhead tap, hydrolic, topend

Question
HI MIKE,I just purchased a 1981 flt and was wondering just how much valvetrain noise is normal, mine seems to tap moreso hot and it seems to come from the front exhaust valve,tappet screen is clean topend is rebuilt totally w/valves and guides, pushrods adjusted correctly,new hydrolic units, was told shovels rattle some anyway, this is my first shovelhead. ED

Answer
If you ahve to much tapping one of the hydrolic units might not be pumping all the way. I would go ahead and readjust the pushrods and see if that helps. If not, then you might have to replace the unit. I have seen them bad right out of the box
Good luck and happy riding
Mike