My 2003 savage, has 4,700 miles, bought with a ticking/clicking noise that keeps pace with the rpms of the engine.  Tore down after research and found the cam chain tensioner at the 18mm limit point.  Removed the cam chain tensioner and sent to Verslagen for modification, VERY NICE WORK by the way, but after re-installation, fresh oil, still  have strong ticking/clicking noise.  Using an automotive stethoscope, seems to be isolated in the top end of the engine, ie. the head! The bike has been laid over, before I purchased it, as noticeable by scratched windshield, and other minor markings, concerned laid over and left running, possibly starving the cam for oil???  Looking for any good help before tearing into this thing again....I appreciate any help and I do have the Clymer Manual for this critter....THANKS!!!!

Will do, and will
holler back....Thanks.

It depends on how loud it is. I had the same noise, everytime the engine warmed up. Adjusting the valve clearance can help, but my engine was ticking regardless of how I set it.

I recently had valve seals and guides replaced (+ cylinder boring and a new piston, as the engine was drinking a lot of oil), and since then the noise is mostly gone. I can hear it only on higher RPM now, but never at idle.

You can also check if the decompression lever has enough free play.

But I guess this is a noisy engine, so some level of ticking and clicking is normal.

I concur with S-P; adjust the valves. It'll probably fix the problem, and if it doesn't, you're one more step in the process to identify it.