valve adjustment?

[knnk2]

2000 zx11 16000 mi. doesn't want to start cold, but after several attempts no problem, starts right up when engine is warm, started making tapping noise, i pulled both plugs drained oil and nothing, i feared the #3 bearing situation often talked about, it continues to run fine except the tapping noise is becoming noiser. its been sitting now for a week, i'm afraid of the local shops here outside of chicago, ripping me off, any suggestions.

[Hammerhead]

Valve adjustment is not super difficult on the 11. A good shade-tree mechanic could do it. All you need is some basic tools, a shop manual and a collection of shims. If I were you, I would get a mechanics stethoscope and attempt to isolate where the tapping originates before going of half-cocked trying to fix something that might not be broken.