Tapping noise with clutch out............(ok with clutch pulled in)......... *check the idle speed* ........should be spot on 1150 for the 99. They idle a bit raggy/rattly  if the idle is set too low. If the test bike is idling low & you don't want to touch anything,  slowly move the fast idle lever to get 1150 (hot) then have a listen, it should smooth out ok if all is as it should be.
Never ride the A model of anything.