Clutch smell???

[tnfrosty]

Hey guys,

I'm new around here and have already gained lots of good info already from the forum.
Anyway, I was riding home from work last week (light traffic) and noticed a "hot brake" smell and thought somebody in front of me left their parking brake engaged or had done a lot of hard stopping. Last night I took the bike for a spin around the neighborhood after changing the coolant and brake fluid and smelt it again. I got to sniffing around and it was coming from the clutch. This is an 07 overstock with 400 miles on it so it's not even broken in yet. So in the past 3 years this bike has sat (indoors) more than it has been ridden...obviously. I checked the free play on the lever and it's fine.
Does anyone recall smelling this on a newer bike? I got the bike 2 months ago, but feel that my technique is decent- meaning very little clutch slipping when taking off. BTW...oil has been changed and level correct with Rotella 15-40.
Any suggestions welcomed- thanks.

 

[Motogiro]

It's a wet clutch and I don't think you'd be smelling it. Could something have gotten on the headers and is burning off? Bikes can make strange smells when they're new. Make sure your wheels are spinning freely by hand. It's normal to have pads just touching rotors but not dragging.

 

[tnfrosty]

Thanks
I've checked the wheel drag and the front is worse than the rear, I assuming due to the dual rotors. I can't get a one-turn rotation on the front, but after searching the forums, several folks said this was normal with low miles and gets better with more miles.
I couldn't smell it around the calipers and the rotors were not hot.

 

[Motogiro]

Thanks
I've checked the wheel drag and the front is worse than the rear, I assuming due to the dual rotors. I can't get a one-turn rotation on the front, but after searching the forums, several folks said this was normal with low miles and gets better with more miles.
I couldn't smell it around the calipers and the rotors were not hot.

Keep an eye on it and see if the smell dissipates.

 

[Red Wazp]

400 miles? Most likely just break in smells. New bikes do that, most bikes will smell a bit when really hot.
Do your break in oil change at 600miles and have fun!

 

[blitzcraig]

When I got mine brand new they told me I'm going to smell some weird stuff for a while. They said the engine is packed in grease from the factory and it has to burn off, so that's probably what it is. It was very noticeable for a time, but it will go away. Another source of strange smells in my experience is the over application of chain lube. It slings around the area where the front sprocket is and cooks... sometimes smokes! That could be it too.

 

[tnfrosty]

Thanks guys- makes me feel a lot better :thumbup: