Burning smell of Rubber

[Bohsfc]

I have recently bought a '02 1150 GS. Once it has warmed up and ridden for a while I get a smell of burning rubber. It seems to be on the right hand side of the bike. I spoke to the guy in work who I bought it from and he is baffled but he did just put a new battery in it for me just before I bought, which I have been told can knock out the throttle cables and cause them to melt if out of their housing. So having done some reading on this site and spoke to others I suspect it could be the throttle cables.
But as this is my first GS I have not got a clue where to start looking and don't particularly want to start looking without really knowing if I am looking in the right area or not.

So any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers, Rob

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

Heated grips?

 

[Bohsfc]

Heated grips?

They are working fine and most likely the previous owner would have noticed that.
The bike was lying up for a while as it was a second bike but he made a big journey on it to deliver it and never noticed any problem.

 

[Timolgra]

The rear brake caliper can stick causing the disc to over heat and melt a hole in the final drive gaiter.

 

[Steptoe]

and cause them to melt if out of their housing.

Thats never going to happen.
You/he/the previous owner/whoever are all getting mixed up with what your reading.

 

[davegs]

Burning

check the back brake, throttle cables don't get burnt but get pulled out when your careless fitting the tank or battery. carry a fire extinguiser, or ouyt it on Ebay quick. Spontanious combustion? hot back brake and riding after a curry?.
dave (Ihate christmas ) GS.

 

[Kav]

Burning rubber

Had a burning rubber smell on my 1150 a while ago.Turned out to be a Wally flap touching the exhaust!

 

[blues n twos]

Check the header pipes to see if a plastic bag has come up from the road and stuck/melted to it.

This has happened several times to me but it does just burn away eventually.

Jon

 

[Bohsfc]

Thanks for all the suggestions lads.
I have checked the header pipes several times and hosed them down. I have even used that 'GUNK' degreaser and still the same.
I am convinced it is on the right hand side somewhere around the head which would more than likely rule out the rear caliper too.

Will keep trying but not using it much at the mo so may take a while to diagnos or mayme with a bit of luck it will just be one of those things that will go away.

 

[vilguy]

I love the smell of burning rubber in the morning... it smells like... VICTORY!!!!

*sorry*

 

[davegs]

Burning

Get some asbestos underpants just in case re name your bike, Joan of Arc!".
sod it just go out for a burn up!
This was written by someone else

 

[Daffy]

Had this once on an old vauxhall viva.
.
.
.
Turned out I hadn't switched the windscreen wipers off!

Sorry not much help.


Seriously, I have seen melted throttle & clutch pipes on commercial vehicles, caused by engine earthing problems meaning starter current goes to ground through cab loom back to battery.

 

[Bohsfc]

Ok Guys,
I was going to check to see if its the rear brake caliper sticking thats causing my 'Burning Rubber' smell in the morning, however, I was going to do this while on the centre stand and put it into first. (Advisable or not)
Given that these bikes do not like to be left running without moving, if you know what I mean.

Also, if it is the rear caliper thats sticking, does this mean a new caliper or can I dismantle it and clean in order to solve the problem.

thanks in anticipation of help.

 

[chad]

Ok Guys,
I was going to check to see if its the rear brake caliper sticking thats causing my 'Burning Rubber' smell in the morning, however, I was going to do this while on the centre stand and put it into first. (Advisable or not)
Given that these bikes do not like to be left running without moving, if you know what I mean.

Also, if it is the rear caliper thats sticking, does this mean a new caliper or can I dismantle it and clean in order to solve the problem.

thanks in anticipation of help.

its easy enough to strip the calipers and rebuild , it would be wise to get new seals though. if your bikes got ABS its going to be a bastard to bleed the brakes. but i cant see this being the brakes.

pop it on the centerstand and spin the wheel by hand , you will soon know if its binding.

 

[Fanum]

In the day or two before my alternator belt went, I had a smell of burning rubber as well, though obviously that was from the front of my bike.

Unlikely to be that in your case but ya never know

 

[Bohsfc]

Thanks for all the help lads.

I reckon I have diagnosed the problem as been a warped rear disc.
Its binding at just one point on it.

So my next question is what site is best to buy from for disc and pads??

thanks again
Rob

 

[TJ]

Steptoe

So my next question is what site is best to buy from for disc and pads??Rob

PM Steptoe he's your man....

 

[northengit]

Hmmm the old warped disc cherry... you said you could smell burning rubber you don't say anything about your brakes being crap.

Have a read here before you go lashing out for discs.. it's been posted before and IMO very spot on.

http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp_warped_brakedisk.shtml#

only my two'penneth though.

 

[Bohsfc]

Hmmm the old warped disc cherry... you said you could smell burning rubber you don't say anything about your brakes being crap.

Have a read here before you go lashing out for discs.. it's been posted before and IMO very spot on.

http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp_warped_brakedisk.shtml#

only my two'penneth though.

Thanks for that info.

The brakes are not brilliant but not lethal either. I was actually looking around sites for new pads but not in any panic as I am not using the bike at the mo and given the Christmas post, i knew I would not be getting them any time soon.

In relation to your link, my disc is looking exactly like figure 4 in the article.

 

[chad]

Thanks for that info.

The brakes are not brilliant but not lethal either. I was actually looking around sites for new pads but not in any panic as I am not using the bike at the mo and given the Christmas post, i knew I would not be getting them any time soon.

In relation to your link, my disc is looking exactly like figure 4 in the article.

ive always found http://www.motorworks.co.uk/ very good fast service very helpfull and well priced