+1 that's were my mechanic comes in

 

No, but my friend Bill does that. Before I rebuilt my Shovel, I would tell him to listen to that, because it used to make some real classy noises. Didn't help. He kept thinking his new bagger was gonna blow up or something (Bill makes more noise than that when he eats). Then he says "Ride it, see if it's OK".

So I took it out and didn't bring it back for two days. It must sound okay to him now, because he doesn't ask me to do that anymore.

 

After 30 years of riding motorcycles I like to think I know what I'm hearing. Problem is I'm wrong all too often. So I'm constantly chasing ghosts for no reason. Motorcycles make noise, thats what the do. But it still bothers me.

 

The bike I had previous to my current ride did not have a windshield, then I put one on - I heard all kinds of noises. Drove me crazy untill I learned to live with it.

 

I don't complain to others but it will spook me a bit. I've got an exhaust rattle now that sounds like it's in the right pipe, can hear it when decelerating on a ramp, especially when there's sound barriers on the sides of the freeway. Unless it's something in the right bag that's shaking around. Love to ride but hate them dammed noises!

 

silence is what bothers me. when i hear nothing i become concerned.

 

i was over the top with a metallic rattle that only happend when i accelerated or decelerated..i had buddies ride it and got 10 different stories...my indi couldn't find it...i was sure i had an engine problem...

a hd wrench at the local stealership rode it in the parking lot for about 10 seconds....pulled back up where i was standing..said nothing...then he kicked the exhaust heat sheild...rattle rattle...man did feel like a goof...

but yeah i hear noises on certain days...but i just stick in the foam earplugs..that i got at hardware store ..cheapest fix going..

 

It seems my motor is always making funny noises but it keeps on running. I'll worry about it when it won't start...

 

There is a similar thing in aviation. Whenever flying a small aircraft over mountains or water (or anywhere where a forced landing would seriously suck) you'll swear you're hearing disturbing noises coming from the motor. Pilots call it "auto-rough."

 

What's really bad is when you're fixing something else and that squeakiing sound that's been driving you crazy goes away and you don't what fixed it.