Sweet smell?
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
Sweet smell?
I've got a weird issue.
For a while now, but worse over the last week or so, I've had a smell coming from the bike, that is more pronounced when slowing down, but is pretty much always there. It's not leaking anything, and I've washed it to make sure that nothing was sitting and cooking on the engine.
The bike's a 2010 FLHTK with 3300 miles, Amsoil in all 3 holes (ATF, 75-90, and 10W-40). The weather's warmed up quite a bit over the last week or so. Bars were replaced last weekend, so the clutch cable was done then too. Front fork oil was swapped to Amsoil 5wt. Stock exhaust came off Friday and a Fatcat went on.
The bike runs fine, shifts fine, and stops fine. There's a fair amount of gear noise, but it's a CruiseDrive, it's noisy (compared to the S/E in the Night Train).
I always downshift when I'm slowing down and use both brakes. I didn't notice if the smell was stronger if I didn't do one or the other (I'll try that today).
Anyone run into this before?
For a while now, but worse over the last week or so, I've had a smell coming from the bike, that is more pronounced when slowing down, but is pretty much always there. It's not leaking anything, and I've washed it to make sure that nothing was sitting and cooking on the engine.
The bike's a 2010 FLHTK with 3300 miles, Amsoil in all 3 holes (ATF, 75-90, and 10W-40). The weather's warmed up quite a bit over the last week or so. Bars were replaced last weekend, so the clutch cable was done then too. Front fork oil was swapped to Amsoil 5wt. Stock exhaust came off Friday and a Fatcat went on.
The bike runs fine, shifts fine, and stops fine. There's a fair amount of gear noise, but it's a CruiseDrive, it's noisy (compared to the S/E in the Night Train).
I always downshift when I'm slowing down and use both brakes. I didn't notice if the smell was stronger if I didn't do one or the other (I'll try that today).
Anyone run into this before?
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 104
From: Mississippi
I am going to guess it is from your free flowing air filter...I have a 2009 classic and I noticed the same thing after I altered the backing plate on my air filter...The crankcase vents through the heads into the breather...without an enclosed air filter those fumes escape into the air instead of being sucked into the engine.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 104
From: Mississippi
Perhaps being in the envelope behind the fairing and the lowers allows you to smell things you wouldn't smell on the other bike...Definitely strange...When you realize what it is I am sure it is going to be something simple.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 121
From: Northern Illinois
Maybe one of your buddies slipped this in your gas tank as a joke. I know a few gals around here that use similar stuff.
http://www.jpcycles.com/product/900-497
http://www.jpcycles.com/product/900-497
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,294
Likes: 33
From: Po-Dunk Looziana
Older Harleys left their "mark", the newer ones are much more politically correct and leave their "smell". LOL
Mine smells like refried beans when I ride after lunch.
Mine smells like refried beans when I ride after lunch.
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