Burning Smell, could it be the clutch?

[MoFarkle]

Hi,

I've had a new S10 for 2 weeks now, first week was great covered about 300 miles, but for the last 150 miles I've occasionally been getting a smell that is the same as a car clutch smells when it's being abused by a learner. My understanding is that it is a wet clutch and shouldn't do this but I'm unable to work out what else could case the smell.

Has anyone else come across this?

I will be taking the bike in for it's 1st service next week so will mention it then, but I wanted to go in informed.

Thanks

 

[creggur]

Check your headlight harness...

 

[scott123007]

New bike smell

Just make sure no drain hoses etc. are touching any part of your exhaust system.

 

[squarebore]

I had that sort of smell for the first 2000kms. Settled down now though.

 

[thfraser]

Could also be some oils or other chemicals on the exhaust from the assembly and shipping process. The other poster who mentioned checking your exhaust for anything touching is also sound advice.

 

[scudrunner]

+1 on road grime on the exhaust. It can make a really nasty stench. Especially after riding in the rain ::001::

 

[MoFarkle]

Thanks for the heads up on the headlight harness, I did a forum search and will check that out. I will also check the routing of everything around the exhaust system.

Thinking back to Saturday, I did get caught in a downpour. Rode in it for about 90mins and the whole bike was coated in road crap as I was using mainly tarmac single lane country roads. I did rinse the bike off with a bucket of cold water but maybe should have paid more attention to the exhaust. I can't be sure if it started before this or during the rain.

I may well be worrying for no reason, just not something I've ever experienced on any of my other bikes.

I will get the last 200miles out the way and get it into the dealer. Unfortunately due to work I only get to ride at weekends. :'(

Thanks all

Chris

 

[offcamber]

Might be worth checking the make sure a brake isn't dragging...that will cause the same smell as clutch.

 

[Ramseybella]

It's under Warranty?
How strong is the odor, do you smell it while riding or when you stop?
Stop the bike turn it off and start sniffing on your hands and knees like a dog around the breaks and such; Just do this when your off some lone country road or someone may call for a straight jacket..

 

[justbob]

Remove the oil filler cap and smell the oil, if its a clutch problem the oil will stink.

 

[bloodline]

+1 on road grime on the exhaust. It can make a really nasty stench. Especially after riding in the rain ::001::

this. relax and ride.

 

[Yamaguy55]

Road snot. Get a Fenda Extenda. I cut mine back a bit, and it still keeps a lot more off the bike than the stock fender. A rear hugger helps as well.

I doubt you could smell the clutch through the engine cases. I've cooked clutches before, and never smelled anything.

 

[CDMartin884]

::021::

Road crap, especially after rain.

 

[Tremor38]

::021::

Road crap, especially after rain.

An Iron-on-wet-cloth smell would likely be water and/or wet crap slung from the tire. Any sort of burning plastic smell is likely the headlight harness. Been there, smelled both. O0

Sent from my SC-03E using Tapatalk 2

 

[CDMartin884]

Don't forget the dead bugs in the radiator grill smell ::025::

 

[Missing Link]

Everyone has already said it, but here's my story anyways. Last summer when I got the bike, I never smelled a thing while riding. Then, all winter as I rode it through crap conditions and kept smelling something weird when I stopped, I thought there must be a problem. I searched and search trying to find the source, then finally just gave up and kept riding. Sure enough, once the nice weather came back, the smell disappeared. I never rode in the rain before this bike, so I had no idea that would happen.

 

[samps]

I had a case of "something smells like burning" last week.... Turned out to be a bit of long grass caught between bash plate and exhaust pipe. (Went to work the 'long' way, through the pristine Australian bush...)

Samps

 

[MoFarkle]

Well I will be taking out tonight so I can give it a good sniff after it's warmed up. Failing that I'm on a ride-out which my dealer will be attending Saturday morning so I will get him to sniff it out.

Being in the UK there is always a chance of rain and having ridden for 10+ years through all weathers I thought I would have smelt it before if it was muck on the bike/exhaust. I guess theres always a first time.

Either way the bike is only 3weeks old so if it becomes more than the occasional smell I'm sure the dealer can deal with it.

I will endeavor to ::021::

Thanks.

 

[snakebitten]

I had a case of "something smells like burning" last week.... Turned out to be a bit of long grass caught between bash plate and exhaust pipe. (Went to work the 'long' way, through the pristine Australian bush...)

Samps

This!

Happens a lot because of a small unmowed field I shortcut through. (Can't stop myself sometimes)

 

[markjenn]

I don't know what it is either, but mine gives off a little "musty" smell when ridden in the rain.

- Mark