Burning rubber smell
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 553
Likes: 17
From: South West
Burning rubber smell
I have a 2015 road glide with 20,000 miles. Lately it has had a strong smell like burnt rubber. I for the life of me can not figure out what it is. It seems to be coming off the motor but it is real hard to pin point. Tires look fine, belt looks fine although looks like it might be rubbing the belt guard slightly. Hoses and wiring look fine. Could it be that I added lowers causing the engine to operated at a hotter temp? Seems to have started around the time that I put the lowers on but I thought it was the metzler back tire that chunked apart on me. However put new tires and new brake pads and smell is still here. Any suggestions?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30,875
Likes: 32,917
From: King George, VA
When you put the lowers on, is there a vent that you can open or close? If it's closed in the hot weather you will probably be running the engine a bit hotter.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 140
From: NY
I have a 2015 road glide with 20,000 miles. Lately it has had a strong smell like burnt rubber. I for the life of me can not figure out what it is. It seems to be coming off the motor but it is real hard to pin point. Tires look fine, belt looks fine although looks like it might be rubbing the belt guard slightly. Hoses and wiring look fine. Could it be that I added lowers causing the engine to operated at a hotter temp? Seems to have started around the time that I put the lowers on but I thought it was the metzler back tire that chunked apart on me. However put new tires and new brake pads and smell is still here. Any suggestions?
Depending on size & mount location Lowers can reduce airflow (COOLING) to the motor significantly increasing it's temp in the process which can make it smell esp if there is any residule oil on the motor left over from an oil change or small oil leak etc.
Also look for any rubber hoses that maybe be up against the motor block/cases/cyls/exhaust pipes-mufflers etc that could be burning/melting esp with motor running hotter due to newly added lowers.
Scott
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 326
Likes: 22
From: Panama City, FL
The "burning the heel on the exhaust" gets my vote. I catch myself doing it all the time. Can't keep the pipe clean by my right boot.