Burning Rubber Smell
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1st Gear
Joined: May 2011
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From: conway
Burning Rubber Smell
Im new here, so I didnt know where to post this. Last week, while riding, I had a minor accident and laid the bike down. Everything seemed ok, so I rode it home. Upon arriving at home, I smelled a burnt rubber odor coming from the bottom of the bike around the clutch cover area. It went away after a few minutes. I rode the bike again a few days later, and no smell. I just came back from a short ride and once again I noticed the smell. Does anyone have any ideas on this issue, and should I take it to a dealer to have it looked at? I appreciate any response.
Have you noticed anything else different on the bike? It may sound strange, but the last time I had what I thought was a burning rubber smell was actually my stator starting to go. The smell would come and go, and I never could figure where it was coming from until a few weeks later when my voltmeter started doing funny things.
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1st Gear
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From: conway
Thanks for responding. I checked the cables and any wiring that even came close to the exhaust...and all of them appear to be where they are supposed to be at. I didnt find any areas of burnt rubber coating or burnt wiring. I cant find any type of leaks, ie, oil in the general area. There is no leakage on the garage floor. Im going to ride again tomorrow afternoon for a bit and see if it happens again. Im at a lose at the moment.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,595
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From: Vancouver Island British Colombia Canada
look for marks along your belt trive area. You might have put your rear tire out of adjustment causing the belt to track to one side or it might be rubbing against the guard.
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From: conway
Thanks hatchetman...Ill take a look at that tonight after work.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
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From: Middle of Kansas
I had a burnt rubber smell on mine along with a slight whine after putting on a new tire and lowering my Softail a little. Turned out to be the liscence plate bracket rubbing on the rear tire. A big pair of water pump pliers fixed that.
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From: conway
Someone related to me that when they had an accident, they got some grass and dirt in between the heat shield and the muffler and he was getting that burnt smell and after washing it out, the smell went away. Soooo, I loosened my heat shields and washed them out, didnt notice any debris on the ground, but after an hours ride, there was no smell. Its beyond me right now. I think its gremlins!