well I just got off the phone with them. they are buttoning it up right now. the valves did NOT need adjustment. I was told second hand that the cct was adjusted. I got the impression that the guy I was talking to knew less about motors than I do(which isn't good). and like I said, the mechanic was working on it right then. so tomorrow, when I go over, if it still makes the noise on warm up, I'm gonna point it out. but hopefully it'll be taken care of.

Good luck.
Yesterday, I was going to suggest to quiz the guy who claims to adjust your valves...or check them for that matter.
but sometimes thats entrapment and unfair ...
ask him about his methodology when choosing shims.
A legit tech shouldnt balk at this.
So many poorly skilled shops open a bike up and as soon as they see theres no easy tappet adjustment, they just close the book on that operation...and still charge you for it.
better yet have him write the measurements down for you.
that will tell you 1st hand if they even tried to get it right.

shop visit go well??????
 

what ended up being wrong with your bike? Did they fix the problem at the shop?

ok, here's the skinny. the guy that worked on it has been a honda specialist for 30 years. but unfortunately, he never heard the sound. he checked the valves, which were still well within spec, and tweaked the cct. headbearings were also fine.(I don't do alot of wheelies) so I go to pick it up, and the mechanic is off that day, but the service boss, who I know, is there when I fire her up. it immediately starts making the sound again, and this time he can hear it too. so we both poke around trying to establish exactly where its coming from. it turns out that its the metal seal in the vertical connector exhaust pipe behind the rear cylinder. its no longer completely covering the inside of one of the legthwise slits that the exhaust pipes have on their end so that one pipe fits over another. so not only does that explain why I have a noticable exhaust leak noise even though I know both midpipes were locked down tight, but you can see the metal seal just clacking around in there. long story short, the bike is running fine, and according to the service boss, good for another 18k. I do plan on replacing that seal, but its not gonna do any harm. just make an annoyiing noise on warmup. I'm not gonna worry about riding her. the day I picked her up I immediately went on a ride that was an hour each way, in 90 degree weather. (in stop and go traffic too, unfortunately) the temp never got past midpoint. and that's with the sharkskinz fairing without all the stock venting to the radiators. she didn't give me so much as a hiccup all weekend. its amazing how much you can miss riding the bike in just one week.

I'm glad it was nothing serious. I bet that was a serious relief knowing it wasn't anything on the inside of the engine. Thanks for keeping us updated.

stuff like unaccounted for noises in my bike is just the sort of thing that will drive me crazy after a while. I find reasons to worry when there AREN'T disturbing metallic noises coming from my bike. so, yes I am relieved. hopefully it will take me a little while to find something else about her to worry about.

Nice outcome! Glad to hear it's nothing serious...my valves were in spec at the 17K check too...gotta love the SH and feel for those poor Ducati riders...

It's good too hear the outcome! Glad it wasn't anything more serious,

Chris.