Smells while your head is in the wind

[hifiman]

Just curious, am I the only one. Happened again today. While riding home on my 09 EG Classic I smelled something electrical burning and thought the worse. Especially since I just did some electrical add ons this past weekend. On other occasions its been some weird smell or another and always from a car in front or something else but so far never my bike. However a red flag goes up every time I pick up on one of these smells that says, "oh no, what now

[smith1j]

If I had just done some electrical work on my bike and smelled something electrical burning I would definitely be checking it out to make sure everything was ok.

[MilesToGo]

Originally Posted by hifiman

Just curious, am I the only one. Happened again today. While riding home on my 09 EG Classic I smelled something electrical burning and thought the worse. Especially since I just did some electrical add ons this past weekend. On other occasions its been some weird smell or another and always from a car in front or something else but so far never my bike. However a red flag goes up every time I pick up on one of these smells that says, "oh no, what now

I doubt you could smell anything coming off your bike while riding. The wind will push any odors past you before reaching your nose. Different story if you are stopped.

[DueceDog]

Just the other day I got a very strong smell of burning clutch discs while riding. I almost pulled over to check the bike when I realized that 1- a wet clutch pack would probably not smell that ways and 2- it was coming from the 18 wheeler that had just passed me.

I ride a lot in high speed traffic and you believe some of the odors that 'waft' past my nose. lol Everything from the woman in front of me that must have used a full can of hairspray, and then smoked a full pack of cigs to the lovely odor of the waste water treatment plant that I pass every Monday night.

Cagers have no idea the variety of odors we get.

[99Percenter]

sometimes i get a whiff of some roadkill skunk and it takes me back to those hazy high school daze

[hifiman]

Originally Posted by smith1j

If I had just done some electrical work on my bike and smelled something electrical burning I would definitely be checking it out to make sure everything was ok.

Oh and I did when I got home. The smell only lasted a few seconds and when I arrived home I let the bike sit running with all lights, electrical items and stereo running and stuck my nose around and no problem found. Driving it in to work today and will monitor it closely.

[Black Magic]

Used to ride by a lumber mill, sweet pine scent everyday, and also a General Mills cereal plant, anything from coco puffs to frankenberry odors..

Cheers!

[FazaMonster]

I once realized I had a bad gasket when on a very, very cold winter ride I was cruising nicely, saw ice, stopped dead before it, and then the stink of burnt oil caught up with me. Didn't realize it was me until I rode around the ice (it was in a parking lot - go figure, no one's going to take care of a parking lot) and stopped, and then noticed it.

I suppose one could smell burnt oil from a post-ride check, but it was only because I stopped suddenly that the stink caught up to me.

Makes ya think twice about farting while riding! Well no, me neither... nothing like a good trumpeting. I don't know about you but that's why I want my bike loud. It covers up the noise I make.

God, that should be a forum sig.

[20538]

I went by a cow farm and it smelt really bad and thought I had just passed gas. stop and checked to make sure my seat was ok and right then a cow moed.

[ironheadbuck]

i smell fish a lot

[jgc89]

hog farms roadkill summer flowers and rain

[shovelmike]

sometimes i get a whiff of some roadkill skunk and it takes me back to those hazy high school daze
UGH, Your school smelled like road kill? And I thought my school days were bad. lol (:

[Diggerpine]

Diggerpine here; I get a whiff of transmission gear oil when I park in the garage and turn the engine off. (probably from the vent hose) Whatever you do....Do Not, I repeat Do Not follow a cattle truck!!!!

Ride Safe!
Steven

[Ozglide]

I was riding with three buddies through northern california from utah and i was in the lead and was following a semi on a two lane road. The guy behind me starts slowing way down and wave that he is pulling over. I was able to get back to him and he was bitching and complaining about the truck blowing diesel in his eyes and everytime I come to california this **** happens etc. Now I hadn't had a problem but my shades have rubber shields around the eyes...I still though it strange thaat there was nothing on my glasses, specs of fluid etc. Got back on the road and made it to our stop for the night and the next day took off through the redwoods before angling towards the coast. Well, about 20 min. into the ride I am behind a semi on a winding road and he pulls off, I loose sight of them so I turn around again and he is having the same problem and shows me his shades with fluid specs on them and his eyes are all bloodshot and squinty. I mention that I was closer to the semis both times and there is nothing on my glasses. So we start a quick brainstorming session right there and figure in quick order that if it is coming from his bike it would most likely come from the front brake resevoir. So upon inspection we see that the numbskull from the dealership in Denver (bike was purchased two weeks before) who put the cover on it tightened one side down before the other and left the lid cocked so that fluid was leaking out and splashing him in the face and getting in his eyes. So,ou just never know what the problem is until you take a close look at things and do some problem solving and evaluating exercises.

[JONNIEROCK1]

Hifiman,
I've had, what I would call a oil burning smell on deacceleration, since new. I haven't, nor has my dealer, been able to figure it out either. He thought it was exhaust being pulled back around, from wind.
Jonnierock