Weird burnt rubber smell

hlknvlcn60 · 12-11-2018, 12:22 PM

Okay I finally had to shoot the question. Does anyone who has a Vaquero like me and maybe this applies to other 1700 Vulcans, when my bike is warming up there is a sort of burning rubber-like odor coming up from the engine bay area when it starts getting warm have any idea where this could be coming from or what the root cause is? There is never any indication of any performance glitch from this but is weird and kind of annoying please share if anyone has any remedy or info on this so I will know where to start. Thanks.

redjay · 12-11-2018, 02:11 PM

When you get the smell is the bike warming up while stationary or are you moving ?

hlknvlcn60 · 12-12-2018, 12:09 PM

When it is warming...once under way the smell dissipates. I am going to yank the tank and look around everywhere on and around the engine to see if a rubber based component may be rubbing the engine somewhere. 22,000+ miles so far otherwise zero issues. If I find something I will pass it on.

redjay · 12-12-2018, 01:38 PM

If I remember correctly the early 1700's had a recall for a wiring issue near the headstock ? I am not sure if that applied to your 2012 Vaquero.

TX1700 · 12-12-2018, 02:19 PM

I have the same smell and I have had the recall that fixed the wire problem. I still have the smell. For a long time, I thought it was my right heel. I have not smelled it for a month or so but the temps local are way drown from the 100's. I just figure it is the nature of the beast. I keep it clean and check the multi connection grounds to ensure they are not lose or dirty and connectors are not melting. It has never had any problems.

hlknvlcn60 · 12-13-2018, 11:43 AM

TX thanks. I did a wiring harness inspection last year right up to the steering head and around the ignition, did a little extra insulating around the wires where they join the ignition and could find nothing else. No probs as mentioned in the running of the bike I guess something we just learn to live with. It seems to go away after I mount the bike and ride off and stays down throughout the day even on warm days.

**smokier** · 12-14-2018, 06:37 AM

Yes, occasionally that smell registers with me as well. No smoke, no issues, just the smell for a little bit. Haven't found anything during cleaning and checks.
If you find it, keep us posted...

Ride safe,
Smokier

hlknvlcn60 · 12-29-2018, 12:04 PM

Such a weird thing glad I am not the only one who has seen this. Next time I get the tank off I will inspect everything like I said and see what I can come up with. There may be a rubber hose up on top of the motor that rests up on the valve cover that may be the culprit.

12-11-2018, 12:22 PM	#1
hlknvlcn60 Advanced Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: crooked river ranch oregon Posts: 723	Weird burnt rubber smell Okay I finally had to shoot the question. Does anyone who has a Vaquero like me and maybe this applies to other 1700 Vulcans, when my bike is warming up there is a sort of burning rubber-like odor coming up from the engine bay area when it starts getting warm have any idea where this could be coming from or what the root cause is? There is never any indication of any performance glitch from this but is weird and kind of annoying please share if anyone has any remedy or info on this so I will know where to start. Thanks. __________________ 2012 Vaquero S.E. Chuckster's tear drop intake, Freedom true dual racing exhaust, Ivan flash, Clearview windscreen, Corbin gunfighter seat, Clockwerk's hugger style front fender, Kawasaki KQR backrest and luggage rack, kuryakyn iso grips and rear passenger boards, front highway pegs, revolutionspeed clutch and primary covers and reservoir and switch box covers and Kuryakyn skeleton rearview mirrors. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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12-12-2018, 12:09 PM	#3
hlknvlcn60 Advanced Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: crooked river ranch oregon Posts: 723	When it is warming...once under way the smell dissipates. I am going to yank the tank and look around everywhere on and around the engine to see if a rubber based component may be rubbing the engine somewhere. 22,000+ miles so far otherwise zero issues. If I find something I will pass it on. __________________ 2012 Vaquero S.E. Chuckster's tear drop intake, Freedom true dual racing exhaust, Ivan flash, Clearview windscreen, Corbin gunfighter seat, Clockwerk's hugger style front fender, Kawasaki KQR backrest and luggage rack, kuryakyn iso grips and rear passenger boards, front highway pegs, revolutionspeed clutch and primary covers and reservoir and switch box covers and Kuryakyn skeleton rearview mirrors.
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12-12-2018, 02:19 PM	#5
TX1700 Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 128	I have the same smell and I have had the recall that fixed the wire problem. I still have the smell. For a long time, I thought it was my right heel. I have not smelled it for a month or so but the temps local are way drown from the 100's. I just figure it is the nature of the beast. I keep it clean and check the multi connection grounds to ensure they are not lose or dirty and connectors are not melting. It has never had any problems. __________________ TX1700 on VBA plunge on Texas VROC VROC #36447 VBA #02703 Ivan's reflash 2013 Vulcan Voyager ABS 2002 Road Star (sold) Login or Register to Remove Ads
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12-13-2018, 11:43 AM	#6
hlknvlcn60 Advanced Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: crooked river ranch oregon Posts: 723	TX thanks. I did a wiring harness inspection last year right up to the steering head and around the ignition, did a little extra insulating around the wires where they join the ignition and could find nothing else. No probs as mentioned in the running of the bike I guess something we just learn to live with. It seems to go away after I mount the bike and ride off and stays down throughout the day even on warm days. __________________ 2012 Vaquero S.E. Chuckster's tear drop intake, Freedom true dual racing exhaust, Ivan flash, Clearview windscreen, Corbin gunfighter seat, Clockwerk's hugger style front fender, Kawasaki KQR backrest and luggage rack, kuryakyn iso grips and rear passenger boards, front highway pegs, revolutionspeed clutch and primary covers and reservoir and switch box covers and Kuryakyn skeleton rearview mirrors.
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12-29-2018, 12:04 PM	#8
hlknvlcn60 Advanced Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: crooked river ranch oregon Posts: 723	Such a weird thing glad I am not the only one who has seen this. Next time I get the tank off I will inspect everything like I said and see what I can come up with. There may be a rubber hose up on top of the motor that rests up on the valve cover that may be the culprit. __________________ 2012 Vaquero S.E. Chuckster's tear drop intake, Freedom true dual racing exhaust, Ivan flash, Clearview windscreen, Corbin gunfighter seat, Clockwerk's hugger style front fender, Kawasaki KQR backrest and luggage rack, kuryakyn iso grips and rear passenger boards, front highway pegs, revolutionspeed clutch and primary covers and reservoir and switch box covers and Kuryakyn skeleton rearview mirrors.
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12-11-2018, 02:11 PM	#2
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,942	When you get the smell is the bike warming up while stationary or are you moving ?
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12-12-2018, 01:38 PM	#4
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,942	If I remember correctly the early 1700's had a recall for a wiring issue near the headstock ? I am not sure if that applied to your 2012 Vaquero.
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12-14-2018, 06:37 AM	#7
smokier Join Date: May 2015 Location: DBQ Iowa Posts: 1,807	Yes, occasionally that smell registers with me as well. No smoke, no issues, just the smell for a little bit. Haven't found anything during cleaning and checks. If you find it, keep us posted... Ride safe, Smokier
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