speed four valve cover gasket?

Well I've only been here a few days and I'm gonna start picking peoples brains already

So I changed the spark plugs the other day and besides being rusty as anything plugs 3 and 4 also seemed to have engine oil on them, not inside the spark plug and combustion chamber, it looks like it's somehow got down the sides of the coil.

I've done a bit of research and found that it could be the valve cover gasket gone, does this sound right? Also would this cause a slight ticking noise if it is/has failed as I have noticed a slight tick lately too..

Also, how important is it to check the valve clearances? I have checked my service book and it has never been done from what I can see!

Thanks all and ride safe

 

Thanks gents, really helpful and I'll be sure to check the clearances while the cover is off! looking at that exploded diagram I think the gasket may have failed between plugs 3 and 4 as 1 and 2 were both dry so I'll see if I can get that done next week. The ticking noise isn't that major at all but to my (untrained) ear it definitely sounds mechanical. Its not loud, it happens whether the engine is hot or cold and I'm not sure but I can only really hear it with the throttle closed and the engine is decelerating. I'll try and get a short video and post it up, Ive read that these triumphs make all sorts of noises so it could of course be nothing. It's not major I'm just very fussy

 

Cheers biglad, that does put my mind at ease a little (I guess I'm suffering trust issues with this bike after owning a Rs125 lol) I'll still get a video up just incase though! I'm not sure about the oil change, it's got 15k on the clock and the last stamp was a filter and oil change at 9k but I'm unsure if it's been done since. Can't hurt to change it while Im checking the head out. I've got a week off next week so I'll add all this to my to do list so hopefully she'll be running sweet!

 

Thanks all, I'm sure it will be fine! I'm pretty confident tackling these sorts of jobs after the amount of work I had to do on my old bike. I'll definitely take it steady though and set aside a day for it. Ive got new plugs in but I'm going to change the oil and filters while it's apart. Ive also had another listen to the noise coming from the engine and after Peters comments about the timing chain being loose I could see it being that, coupled with the fact they should be checked at 12,000 and there's no stamp in the book for that service. I'm sure it will all become clear when I get the cam cover off anyway. I'll get a video when I finish work of the engine ticking over and post it up

 

Alright guys, finally starting my week off today so it's time to give the steed some loving starting witha well earned bath and service
I managed to get a video of the noise that seems to be coming from the engine, I got close so you could hear so it sounds worse than it actually is, does anybody have any ideas as to what it is? Is it a loose timing chain?
also, I notice that the oil (pressure or level?) light flicked on earlier but went off soon after and hasn't come back on since. Is this anything to worry about? Sorry for all the questions but I don't know the first thing about these bikes/engines
On a side note, will the tt600 Haynes manual apply to the speed four for the engine etc? I can't seem to find one anywhere for the S4

 

Yes biglad I know the one that you're talking now and it's not that, I've been and got some parts this morning so the plan for the next couple of days is
Oil and filter change
New fuel and air filter
Valve cover gasket (hopefully I'll be able to check the timing chain while doing so)
I'm also going to fix the radiator from my little spill
I'm sure she'll be fine

 

Phew!
Well I manged to get everything done, except for the oil filter, that will be done on the next change as I couldn't get it off.
Anyway I found out yesterday that the rad cap was bad from my spill and not holding pressure (along with a slight crack in the neck) so I whipped the rad off and had that repaired, while that was off I did the valve cover gasket And air filter. Got the rad back, filled up the coolant and bled it and gave her a good clean and I'm just waiting for the roads to clear up before I take her out for a quick run. Fingers crossed everything holds pressure and she runs well

 

I didn't check either of them because I was working in-between rain showers but I'll have that done in a shop probably.
the noise I still haven't worked out yet, it doesn't sound serious but I'll keep an eye on it anyway

 

Update: r&g crash bungs and exhaust protector fitted, I noticed that my oil light came on the other day but the bike has been running fine. Ive had a look and it's been damaged from the fall so I have a new one order and she should be sorted. Also a pic of the radiator repair which will be sanded and painted as it looks to be holding