Hello Folks:
I am not only new to this forum, but I have finally fulfilled a bucket list item by recently purchasing an '07 Cali Vintage.
I have only managed to get the bike out for two rides since bringing it home. Right off the start once underway on the first short ride in town and again even at highway speeds on a longer ride I noticed a peculiar consistent and therefore irritating 'harmonic' vibration develop... and it seems to resonate inside my inside helmet. This appears not only from the exhaust 'notes', but something more... I am wondering if this might simply be a exhaust/vibration noise that is accentuated by the empty fiberglass saddlebags; intending to stuff them with towels or foam core the next opp to ride. But if anybody else has experienced this I would appreciate some feedback. I had expected some vibration, but not his "disturbing" noise. In fact the physical vibration the P.O. admitted to disliking at the handlebars and in the chassis does not disturb me at all. I have owned other bikes that were much worse.
The bike also has a peculiar electrical problem. The right side turn signals only operate when the revs are higher. In fact the rear turn signal does not even light up at idle or when stationary! The right front glows at lower rpm, but does not flash until the rpm is much higher than idle. At first I thought I might have a faulty bulb in the rear signal so I dismantled that unit. First I should mention that I was impressed with those inner workings especially in comparison to the same item on a friend's HD Sportster that I recently repaired/rewired. But after supplying twelve volts to the contacts the bulb lit up in the reflector. SO... any advice a seasoned mechanic may have for sorting this issue out would be appreciated. I am determined and patient, but definitely a novice at this sort of "electrical forensics".
Finally, above and beyond the exhaust noise there is a peculiar-to-me metallic ping or ring once underway. This is not terribly loud nor even that irritating. Could it be the dry clutch noise? A too loose/tight valve (app 12000Km)? OR??? Has anybody else with a Cali Vin or other similar model experienced such a noise. I am hoping to learn this is an inherent noise with the Guzzi 1100 engines or that i should check for this or that. Again, past and current motorcycles in the fleet have there own peculiar noises, but I don't want to continue riding this bike if such a noise is spelling a soon to be disaster.
Like many a Guzzi owner I do not have a Guzzi dealer nearby to take my bike to for an informed opinion, and the closest regional vendor of Guzzis are not renowned for any passion for the bikes. I fell in love with them from afar simply because I could see the character in the bikes and I read the passion in the Guzzi owners on the forums. I have thought about owning one since meeting a Guzzi owner on and Eldo back in 1974. The BMW airhead I owned had plenty of character of its own from my perspective, but that Eldo simply "reaked"! I don't know if this Guzzi will replace my Ducati Sport Classic as "The Mistress In My Garage", but after just two rides I think it is going to certainly offer up a challenge; time will tell... and apparently a bit of sorting.
So... any advice folks?
I am not only new to this forum, but I have finally fulfilled a bucket list item by recently purchasing an '07 Cali Vintage.
I have only managed to get the bike out for two rides since bringing it home. Right off the start once underway on the first short ride in town and again even at highway speeds on a longer ride I noticed a peculiar consistent and therefore irritating 'harmonic' vibration develop... and it seems to resonate inside my inside helmet. This appears not only from the exhaust 'notes', but something more... I am wondering if this might simply be a exhaust/vibration noise that is accentuated by the empty fiberglass saddlebags; intending to stuff them with towels or foam core the next opp to ride. But if anybody else has experienced this I would appreciate some feedback. I had expected some vibration, but not his "disturbing" noise. In fact the physical vibration the P.O. admitted to disliking at the handlebars and in the chassis does not disturb me at all. I have owned other bikes that were much worse.
The bike also has a peculiar electrical problem. The right side turn signals only operate when the revs are higher. In fact the rear turn signal does not even light up at idle or when stationary! The right front glows at lower rpm, but does not flash until the rpm is much higher than idle. At first I thought I might have a faulty bulb in the rear signal so I dismantled that unit. First I should mention that I was impressed with those inner workings especially in comparison to the same item on a friend's HD Sportster that I recently repaired/rewired. But after supplying twelve volts to the contacts the bulb lit up in the reflector. SO... any advice a seasoned mechanic may have for sorting this issue out would be appreciated. I am determined and patient, but definitely a novice at this sort of "electrical forensics".
Finally, above and beyond the exhaust noise there is a peculiar-to-me metallic ping or ring once underway. This is not terribly loud nor even that irritating. Could it be the dry clutch noise? A too loose/tight valve (app 12000Km)? OR??? Has anybody else with a Cali Vin or other similar model experienced such a noise. I am hoping to learn this is an inherent noise with the Guzzi 1100 engines or that i should check for this or that. Again, past and current motorcycles in the fleet have there own peculiar noises, but I don't want to continue riding this bike if such a noise is spelling a soon to be disaster.
Like many a Guzzi owner I do not have a Guzzi dealer nearby to take my bike to for an informed opinion, and the closest regional vendor of Guzzis are not renowned for any passion for the bikes. I fell in love with them from afar simply because I could see the character in the bikes and I read the passion in the Guzzi owners on the forums. I have thought about owning one since meeting a Guzzi owner on and Eldo back in 1974. The BMW airhead I owned had plenty of character of its own from my perspective, but that Eldo simply "reaked"! I don't know if this Guzzi will replace my Ducati Sport Classic as "The Mistress In My Garage", but after just two rides I think it is going to certainly offer up a challenge; time will tell... and apparently a bit of sorting.
So... any advice folks?