1989 vt1100c motor oil to reduce engine ticking

50:1 But if your doing mostly low rpm cruising (trolling) then you could reduce that a bit to 75:1 to help reduce smoke. If you do mostly mid to higher rpm cruising, then 50:1 (1 pint to 6 gallons. )
Or 200mls in 20 liters if your Canadian.

the oil pickup tube in the oil pan may be clogging up. as the oil gets hot and thins out , there isn't enough volume coming through the oil pump to keep the enginr quiet. may want to try checking to oil pressure with a manual gauge. also might want to try an engine flush and chang the oil and filter after flushing the engine.MAKE sure if you flush the engine you follow the directions.

ticking can be many things, from what your describing its a lifter or a rocker arm,, run a motor flush through the motor by adding it to the oil, run it for how ever many hours or miles the flush recommends , then change the oil and filter, if the ticking is still there, your going to have to remove the valve cover and inspect the assembly inside of it

hydraulics lifters you must replace as they will wear out.

solid tappet lifters can just be adjusted for. Unless you have some custom old engine in yours I'd imagine yours is the first.

You might also try running some pennzoil or quaker state oil to reduce clatter. They're wax based and will often do wonders for semi-clogging the right areas while keeping the other places open. Great for hi mileage motors.

If the same as 1985-1998 VT 1100 - you have a hydraulic valves, so NO adjusting, if Noise - valve tappets clogged, take out engine oil, use cleaning oil, start engine and run it till tapping goes away.
Then use Motul 10-40W, this one have add of cleaner in and better shifting.

Usually the ticking comes from the exhuast or heat shields, this is usual. You can even get ticking from the fins and parts attached to the jugs.
Any thing that you can do to keep the engine running cooler will help to extend the life of your motor.
Don't let it idle for long periods of time, talk to your dealer about high end oils that will reduce friction in the motor, and adding a oil cooler will help lower operating temps.
Something that you can do is, make sure that the heat shields are tightened down, even shifting the shields just a bit can make a change.
Please rate me, if this has been helpful, and/or contact me back with any other questions that you might have.
Sincerely,
Paul Gibson
Have a great day!

It is probably your lifters sticking. Check your engine oil level and if thats fine, then add some oil detergent/additive that says it will "reduce engine knock and free sticky lifters" run with that additive for a couple hundred miles or until the noise gets better. then replce your oil after that without using the additive

Hi,

This can often signify lack of lubrication at the top of then engine.

How many miles has the vehicle done, since it's last oil & filter change?
Is the vehicle often parked on an incline?

An oil change may rectify this - I recommend you select your oil carefully.

You can also buy a special oil additive, specifically designed to lubricate the lash adjusters at the top of the engine.


Hope this helps...

Honda final drive gear oil.