Weird engine noise (SRX400)

[guest2039]

Hello, I've recently bought a '96 SRX. This is my first motorcycle and I absolutely love it. There is one problem however  — there's a funny noise coming from the engine. It sounds like rubber being chewed by something. It comes and goes, sometimes becomes louder, being audible over the lumpy Supertrapp exhaust.
I don't know much about motorcycles, should I be concerned? It starts and runs perfectly, but this noise is somewhat bothering.
This motorcycle isn't popular in my country, four-cylinder sportsbikes are preferred over here, so it's practically impossible to find help online.
Hopefully my description of the issue proves helpful enough

[johnr]

obvious stuff first, have you checked the oil, and adjusted the valve clearances?

[guest2039]

I have checked the oil, it is a couple of inches over the "max" mark. Could this be the cause? If so, how do I drain that extra oil?
As for the valve clearance —I don't really know what that means and whether it can be done by an unskilled person like myself. I will google the process and do it.
Thanks for your input!

[iansoady]

I think that could easily be the cause but it's tricky to know without hearing it.

I tend to change the oil as a matter of course on a new (to me) bike unless I know it's just been done.

I wouldn't have thought valve clearances would give the sort of noise I imagine you're describing.