Hey guys, I got my 04 EX250 about a year ago with ~10k miles. I first noticed this noise around 11k after adjusting the valves (needed lots of loosening) and figured it was fairly normal operating noise for a bike with free floating rockers. Anyways, 18k miles by now and it's still nagging at me so I'd like some second opinions.
Oil screen has come up clean and it doesn't seem to be losing its magic sparkles into the oil. Oil filter has been replaced. Tightening up the valve clearances some reduced but didn't eliminate the noise. Loudest on left hand side of engine. Noise seems to come in and out depending on load and speed -- audible at idle, gets a little louder as the engine runs up (loudest under slight load), but quiets past ~5-6k RPM. On cold starts the noise gets a bit louder over time until it gets oil pressure (no more than 3 seconds)
Everything seems perfectly fine otherwise; I'd just appreciate some thoughts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9yu9C1c33A