Motorcycle Repair: knocking, hydraulic lifters, oil pressure

Question
I have a gl1200A with 109000 miles. It started making a knocking noise that sounds like a lifter. It makes the sound even if you put the engine under a load by braking.  It started the other day, and then quite.  If it's a stuck lifter, what do you suggest I do.  The bike run very good and has lots of power. Idles aat 780 rpm. doesn't smoke are burn oil.

Answer
Those heads have hydraulic lifters.  It sounds like one of them might have stuck and then broke free.  I guess I wouldn't worry about it unless it happened again or consistently.  Then you'll have to go into the head and find out what's binding.  It depends on oil pressure to control the clearance so anything that reduces the oil pressure such as a plugged oil filter could cause the problem.

Regards
Rich