New sound: charming or alarming?

[TheHungarian]

Hello everyone, this is my first post, although I've been reading your rants for quite some time. At the beginning of May I bought a 2013 V7 stone with 2,400 miles on the clock. I hadn't been able to ride it since the motor vehicle offices in our state remain closed. I spent a month: changing fork oil (10w), replacing the tires, changing gear, transmission oils and lubing the shaft splines; and snugging every bolt. The crankcase oil was changed just before I bought it, although it was grossly overfilled and I drained out 600cc to get the level below the full mark. That fixed the slight oil leak and has kept the airbox dry.
Last week, I was able to get a temporary tag and have put 200 miles on her, mostly with smiles. I'm aware of the dry clutch and valve train noises inherent in the design and I'm fine with that. This bike makes more bodily noises than my 15 year old son!
The last few rides though, when the engine is nice and hot, I'm getting a metallic tinkling, fluttering sound when coming to a stop and the rpms drop below 2,000. Sort of like when you shut off the hot engine and the exhaust is cooling. It lasts for a second until the rpms drop to idle. Doesn't matter if it's in neutral or 1st with the clutch lever in, or even just sitting at a light. Blip the throttle above 2k and it does the tinkling sound for a second as it passes below 2K. This only occurs with the engine good and hot. Shifting is fine and it runs great, although the neutral to 1st shift does have quite a clunk. And of course the 1 to 2 shift is like jumping across the Grand Canyon!
The clutch freeplay has been adjusted and I've checked exhaust bolts and in fact all bolts.
I'm going to do a valve adjustment later this week along with a fuel filter replacement. I don't know if the 600 mile service was actually done, as I bought her from the second owner and he had no idea either.
I am going to try to take a video and if the sound is captured, i'll post a clip to youtube. Thank you in advance for your opinions.

[oldbike54]

 Probably just a Guzzi noise .

 Dusty

[rtbickel]

Check the license plate bracket and exhaust heat shields as well as the kickstand springs.  I had a similar problem that irritated me for months until I found that the license plate was buzzing against the bracket (2 more reflectors to hold down the plate fixed it).  Sounds like you have a paper temporary plate but anything that is not fully secured might be the culprit, not just major attachment points.

[MotoG5]

I agree with Dusty. Most likely nothing to worry about. As nothing has seemed to be off with the general operation of the bike just keep on riding. If its something progressively going wrong or coming loose it will get to the point you can locate it. Until then there isn't really anything to look for without more symptoms.

[RHAT]

Get yourself some earplugs and give it lots of gas

[Vagrant]

I'd take the time to retorque the heads before the valve set. better than a head gasket next month.

[pebra]

Hi Mike,
I'd just like to say welcome, and that I hope somebody can give you peace of mind!

Guzzis and strange noises, now that would be a long thread! 😁

[slowmover]

Check the chrome ring around the headlight. I had a noise for a long time that seem to come from different places. After a suggestion by Kev to check there I wrapped teflon tape around it and never heard it again

[Huzo]

I think you have more of a point than is readily accepted.
My V85 has a similar sound as you describe at around 4,000 rpm. Sounds like the sort of thing a fluttering cam chain would do.
Most noticeable when coming down through that rev range on overrun....

[malik]

Hi Mike,
I'd just like to say welcome, and that I hope somebody can give you peace of mind!

Guzzis and strange noises, now that would be a long thread! 😁

Ah-ha - mysterious noises & isolating them. Here's some of the more common ones on the V7:-

- the headlight (as above) - the bucket is plastic & tends to break. Lean over & stick a hand over it to see if it stops.
- the baffles in the mufflers have been known to loosen themselves early. When you next remove them, pick one up & shake vigorously. Don't forget to do up the clamps afterwards (been there, done that - often).
- the sidecover grommets are not the best - far too easy for the pins to push them out. Get better aftermarket ones & use a little rubber grease.
- the sidestand pivot is a common one. You'll have to remove the LHS header to access it for tightening. Ensure the pivot is lubed regularly, so that the stand retracts fully.
- the horn centres have been known to loosen & rattle, especially those with the plastic chrome centres (your Stone could be the solid black ones). A hand on them should tell.
- the headers are double-walled. Sometimes the inner wall breaks its spot welds. When off you can pick them up & shake them, or bounce them on some carpet.
- you've already attended to the exhaust nuts. Periodically, loosen them right off & do them up again - to avoid the nuts seizing on the studs, as they tend to do.

Good luck. It's more likely not to be a serious problem, merely an annoyance, but it would be satisfying to actually find it.

[Bulldog9]

Guzzi's are noise makers......  I was fortunate to get my first Guzzi from Dave Richardson. Before I rode away he told me in a 'listen to me' tone that Guzzi's have an agricultural sound to them. When they aren't making odd noises is when something is wrong.... lol

I agree with Vagrant, if you can't confirm the head was re-torqued, go ahead and do it before the valve adjust. Lots of great advice on tracking down your noise, and welcome to the madness. Can't wait to see what your second Guzzi will be....... 

[TheHungarian]

Thanks for all of the thoughtful replies!
I’m going to go through all of your suggestions one by one and see where it leads me. Your collective wisdom is like having my own personal Oracle!

Best,

Mike

[John A]

If you sharply slap the end of the muffler you can help isolate sounds. Also check license plate mounting.