Well it was a good run - so far...
With just over 40k on her something let loose in the engine last night.
I went over to my buddies house for a nice diner and some great conversation and right around midnight I headed home.
She didn't start up right...
the starter had a different sound, then she sputtered and stalled even with the choke on.
Not like her at all. I thought I had some bad gas so I stopped at the Mobil station - she likes Mobil. Treated her to some premium - I always give her the best they have. The ride home she never warmed up to me, or so it seemed - it was a short ride 4 or 5 miles...
I pulled in to the drive way and as she sat there idling I thought I heard some strange noises - so I quickly shut her down so I could get my helmet off.
I fired her back up and sure enough she was telling me she wasn't OK... some real chatter and snapping coming from the front cylinder top end... by now she was too hot to handle so I shut her down and pushed her into her stall...
Early this morning I woke up and checked her out - not a loose spark plug - not a loose exhaust connection...
I'm getting ready to pull the plugs and see what they say...
I guess my old girl isn't going to make it to 200K...
well it was a good run - so far...

Here ya go. https://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85202

Thanks for the tip Weljo - looks like he already sold it though

As for my bike:
We did a compression test - both cylinders are about the same 120 psi.
Plugs look the same as before.
Started right up - pretty normal - but then it started knocking and banging like I had a little gremlin in there with a hammer...
I got my manual out - and with the help of my brother we kind of went through it - sounds like its coming from the top end of the front cylinder. Since the bike still starts and runs maybe it is a broken valve spring. I didn't feel like tearing into it today - plus we're getting some weird weather and I plan on working on it under my shade covered back patio. So I'll probably enjoy the rest of the weekend and start on it Monday afternoon. I'll keep everyone posted as to what and how things progress. Anyone that has any ideas or advise let me know.

Are you running synthetic or dino oil.

Road King, start with the easy stuff and directional, check your pushrods while turning over the motor by hand. To turn it over by hand, lift the bike with your bike lift pull the plugs and open the push rod tubes, put it in 4th or 5th gear and turn the rear wheel, you might pickup problems by having a loose puishrod or you might hear some noise or a locking up point. good luck. Stay open minded, don't try to find what you think it is. DEERSLAYER

While I had the plugs out I spun the engine over with the starter while my brother listened with his engine stethoscope - he didn't hear anything. Once I get it up on the lift I'll do what you said about spinning it by hand and I'll have him listen again. I think the starter made too much noise for him to hear anything.

I'll be keeping you in the loop - thanks for the advise

If you get no where, try starting it and see if the noise is when you have the clutch out or in or both while the bike is in neutral. Have you done any work to it in the last 3 thousand miles other than normal maintenance?

Kid sister came in for a surprise visit - not starting the bike till later in the week - probably Friday or Saturday... will keep you posted as to what the what is.

UPDATE:
There is a chance of morning rain until Wednesday morning...

I've been getting all my tools and the workshop in order so I can start pulling the bike apart.

Hopefully its something simple but if not my plans are to pull the engine and bring it over to one of the best machine shops out here and have it completely gone over. I'll have the heavy duty parts put in and make sure that it will go for a long time.
IF I have to pull the engine - I'll spring for a 6 speed w/ overdrive and put that in and keep the bike for another 20 years.

I still hope it's something simple...

Good Luck