Motorcycle Repair: 2001 suzuki gsxr 600 ,ticking noise, suzuki gsxr 600, 2001 suzuki gsxr 600

Question
This 2001 gsxr600 has always worked well without any problems and purrrred beautifully . It has 10,000 km on it now...not driven much this summer...after starting up a few days ago I noticed that after about a minute idleing I can here a ticking sound, almost like a valve area noise. The bike has been well maintained by following manufactures maintainance schedule.
What's your thoughts at what might be causing this sound ? and will it be expensive to stop ?
thanks  

Answer
Hi Randy,

The sounds you hear are normal and are caused by valve clearances becoming a bit looser. Ticking valves make noise, but don't cause damage (within specs) or impede performance. Tight valves are the opposite.

Follow the maintenance schedule in the owner's manual and check and adjust valve clearances (lash). Keep clearances within factory specs.

For extra credit, perform a cylinder compression check. If readings are suspicious, perform a leak-down test.

Respectfully,
Mark Shively