Motorcycle Repair: Ticking starting to accure, exhust, conects

Question
Thanks. The sound is deff. more than I am used to hearing. I'm going on an all day ride this friday the 8th and I dont want to break down on the highway. Do you think its safe to take it & what would be a sure sign that I need to stop riding it to repair the lifters. Hopefully I can do it myself. Is it an easy fix?  

Question -
I own a 93 H.D. Fxr Superglide. Its been a great bike. A couple  of weeks ago I noticed a guiet but noticable ticking sound coming from what I THINK is somewhere around the cylinders. Not really sure. Anyway I had to take off one of my exhust pips b/c I needed to put a seal in where the crossover conects to the back pipe. Now the ticking is much more noticable. The sound makes me think I need oil or some sort of lubricant. I checked the oil and trany fluids but its all good. Should I worry or am I not checking something? PLEASE HELP. I'm planning on going on a all day ride this friday...should I not go?

Answer -
Your ticking is probably valve lash with the pushrods. most harleys tick. Its nothing to worry about. If it get worse then you might have to replace your lifters.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike

Answer
You might try changing to  a synthic motor oil and that might help.
If the ticking is the lifters you should be fine to go on your ride.
If you had a bad lifter it would stop pumping up and you would get a loud rattle. It would not pump more at idle than at higher RPMS.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike