Some may call me an idiot after this, but I just had no idea until I looked.
For the past several rides, I've noticed a slight burning smell coming from the bike. I was worried that something was out of place and rubbing, or I dropped something and it was overheating/melting, or any number of things. I already have a standard inspection/checkup booked and I figured I would just mention the burning and let them sort it out. However, today I did an oil change and noticed some tar dripping from the front sprocket cover onto the exhaust, crank case, oil filter, etc. When I wiped it off, it smelled of hot burned rubber and flesh (pretty nasty).
So I took off the sprocket cover, which I guess is long long long overdue, to find it covered in the most disgusting amount and looking tar/goop ever.
I know many of you are familiar with this phenomenon and regularly clean the front sprocket, but for some ridiculous reason, I never even thought of it. Even when I started my bike for a few minutes to let the new oil slosh around and settle in, I could literally watch the tar burn and start smouldering from the heat.
Maybe this is unnatural, I don't know, but I cleaned it all off and I'll see if that corrects the issue somewhat. I just thought I would at least post this in case anyone might have had similar concerns and was as dumb as I am.
For those who do know of this, is it normal for the grease buildup to start steaming up like that, actually burning to the point I can see it lightly smoking and horrid stink? Did I just leave it for too long to the point that all kinds of gunk built up? I would've figured standard chain grease/lube and such wouldn't burn at such low temperatures, but I guess there's probably grass and whatever else lodged in there, too.
For the past several rides, I've noticed a slight burning smell coming from the bike. I was worried that something was out of place and rubbing, or I dropped something and it was overheating/melting, or any number of things. I already have a standard inspection/checkup booked and I figured I would just mention the burning and let them sort it out. However, today I did an oil change and noticed some tar dripping from the front sprocket cover onto the exhaust, crank case, oil filter, etc. When I wiped it off, it smelled of hot burned rubber and flesh (pretty nasty).
So I took off the sprocket cover, which I guess is long long long overdue, to find it covered in the most disgusting amount and looking tar/goop ever.
I know many of you are familiar with this phenomenon and regularly clean the front sprocket, but for some ridiculous reason, I never even thought of it. Even when I started my bike for a few minutes to let the new oil slosh around and settle in, I could literally watch the tar burn and start smouldering from the heat.
Maybe this is unnatural, I don't know, but I cleaned it all off and I'll see if that corrects the issue somewhat. I just thought I would at least post this in case anyone might have had similar concerns and was as dumb as I am.
For those who do know of this, is it normal for the grease buildup to start steaming up like that, actually burning to the point I can see it lightly smoking and horrid stink? Did I just leave it for too long to the point that all kinds of gunk built up? I would've figured standard chain grease/lube and such wouldn't burn at such low temperatures, but I guess there's probably grass and whatever else lodged in there, too.