Motorcycle Repair: valves on a vtx1800c 2002, valve clearances, arm pad

Question
just did my own valve adjust the dealer was not even opening the covers up. I have 25,000 and have had the dealer do three valve adjust for me.
 and never had to move any of them (in 25,000mil) well when i open it the exhaust were tight no clearance at all. so and all the rest had little or do slack. WELL now i can hear the lifters is this all right. if they are a little loose rather than to tight. i used the right settings and flowed the book procedures they just make a little noise now is this going to hurt my girl (VTX)

Answer
Hi Terry,

Excessive or loose valve clearances often causes soft tapping or ticking sounds. This is normal and will not harm the engine. Adjusting clearances to the looser side of service limits is okay.

Valve wear causes tighter clearances. Rocker arm pad wear creates looser clearances, though wear more slowly than valves.

Zero or tight valve clearances may cause engine damages.

Respectfully,
mark Shively