Smelly clutch

[Matt101]

Evening all.

Posting for a mate who has just bought his 1st GS

On steep inclines he gets, as he puts it, a smell like old man trousers!! LOL

Clutch doesn't appear to be slipping and no obvious oil leakage.

Any ideas folks?

 

[Pukmeister]

Check the level of fluid in the handlebar clutch cylinder. If it is full, drain a bit off.

 

[Matt101]

Check the level of fluid in the handlebar clutch cylinder. If it is full, drain a bit off.

Will pass on the info.

 

[Mac One]

The more worrying thing is, how does he know what old men's trousers smell like.

 

[Steptoe]

Does he feather/ride the clutch ? Tell him not to, it’s a dry very thin single plate clutch and it doesn’t need any encouragement to wear out prematurely .

 

[Watty100]

Also check the lever isn't catching the handguard, if it is it can cause a bit of clutch slip, hence the smell.

Easily put right by adjusting the handguard up/down a bit.

 

[Mac One]

If it has a catalytic converter and a rotten egg smell.


https://www.liveabout.com/is-my-catalytic-converter-bad-281965

 

[younger06]

Have your UJ on the shaft inspected (gearbox end) mine failed a few years ago and took some of the gaitor with it............the most memorable thing about the whole experience was the feckin smell!!!!!!! (rotten)

 

[Stahlgewittern]

Try Vagasil stop embarrassing odours. ....sorry my mistake thought you said crutch!

 

[Matt101]

So he returned it to the shop and has been told it was throttle bodies needed balancing and 2 of the plugs weren't firing?1?! We shall wait and see......

 

[brut33]

There should be a small amount of movement or loose play in the clutch lever when stationary.
If there's no play in the lever the clutch plate won't engage properly and will cause it to slip, hence a burning smell.
The clutch slip could be so minute he can't feel it when riding, that's probably why he doesn't notice it.
Not sure about old man's trousers though.

It will be interesting to see what the shop comes up with, but I can't relate throttle bodies and spark plugs to smells.
Happy to be proved wrong.

 

[Steptoe]

There should be a small amount of movement or loose play in the clutch lever when stationary.
If there's no play in the lever the clutch plate won't engage properly and will cause it to slip, hence a burning smell.
The clutch slip could be so minute he can't feel it when riding, that's probably why he doesn't notice it.
Not sure about old man's trousers though.

It will be interesting to see what the shop comes up with, but I can't relate throttle bodies and spark plugs to smells.
Happy to be proved wrong.

Its not unusual (said Tom Jones) for failing or failed coil sticks to overheat and melt or catch fire. BMW even sells the shirt section of loom that attaches to the coil so you can repair it when it melt

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

Make sure handguard is not touching clutch lever.....