Burning smell after installing HID's and removing flapper system

[repsol78]

Last night I went for a drive directly after installing my HID's. I noticed a burning smell coming from under the passenger seat. I'm not quite sure but the smell seemed to get more when riding with both lights on, and less with only low beam. I didn't have this problem at all with the stock lights. Another possibility, I also removed the flapper canister, solenoid and connection and plugged two hoses, which I tucked away behind the fairing.

Any idea what might be the cause? Could it be the HID's or the flapper system removal? Flapper hoses?

[Nakkers]

Very strange it wouldn't be the flapper mod ! Try it with the seat off idling and see

[MogNo1]

Last night I went for a drive directly after installing my HID's. I noticed a burning smell coming from under the passenger seat. I'm not quite sure but the smell seemed to get more when riding with both lights on, and less with only low beam. I didn't have this problem at all with the stock lights. Another possibility, I also removed the flapper canister, solenoid and connection and plugged two hoses, which I tucked away behind the fairing.

Any idea what might be the cause? Could it be the HID's or the flapper system removal? Flapper hoses?

Well nothing really underneath the passanger seat to be frying unless you've stuck in a PC3 and other goodies! I'd be pulling your main seat up and check the battery....main fuse and everything in that area. Unusual smells are never a good thing especially after a big mod. On the bright side......your bike hasnt gone up in flames yet......always a possitive sign!! :evilgrin: With Nakkers here......pull your seats up......put the bike in idle and see if you can locate what and where this issue is before it gets worse.

[MikeR]

:confused2:did you eat any hot curry for supper :D:D
eliminate the first thing...the HiD's, unplug it then try run her..

[SIXDOG]

Last night I went for a drive directly after installing my HID's. I noticed a burning smell coming from under the passenger seat. I'm not quite sure but the smell seemed to get more when riding with both lights on, and less with only low beam. I didn't have this problem at all with the stock lights. Another possibility, I also removed the flapper canister, solenoid and connection and plugged two hoses, which I tucked away behind the fairing.

Any idea what might be the cause? Could it be the HID's or the flapper system removal? Flapper hoses?


Hey Ali, try to locate the source of the smell under the seat. I know it sounds funny but put your nose up against the components under the seat until you locate the source. The "smell" should be familiar to you when you get close to the part or parts that are generating the heat.

Good luck ...

[repsol78]

Thanks for the advice. I'll let you know the result. Now that I think of it, the area under the passenger seat always got a little warm, also with stock lights. However, definately nothing like now, hot and burning smell...

[TX Repsol]

I agree with everyone else - there's not really anything under the passenger seat, especially nothing that would be affected by those mods.

Pull off the front seat -there could be a short of some sort causing something to overheat and the smell is escaping through the rear of the compartment, making you think it's actually coming from under the passenger seat.

[repsol78]

It gets weirder... After work I checked it running the bike idle, and nothing, not a smell. So I went back home and during the trip there also wasn't a smell, while last night I even smelled it doing 60mph and when standing still you could smell it at least a feet away. Anyway, back home, I took off the passenger seat and with my nose nearly in the seat compartment I sensed the same overheat smell, only much and much less than before, and it seemed to come from the right half the rear seat compartment.. Haven't checked under the front seat yet...
I should be careful, but I thought maybe the problem is solving itself...?

[GothMog]

Could it possibly be some type of "burn in" period since they are new....I know the bulbs are up front, but could the odor be traveling down the length of the bike.
Hell, what do I know....just an idea?

[ZZGIXXER]

It gets weirder... After work I checked it running the bike idle, and nothing, not a smell. So I went back home and during the trip there also wasn't a smell, while last night I even smelled it doing 60mph and when standing still you could smell it at least a feet away. Anyway, back home, I took off the passenger seat and with my nose nearly in the seat compartment I sensed the same overheat smell, only much and much less than before, and it seemed to come from the right half the rear seat compartment.. Haven't checked under the front seat yet...
I should be careful, but I thought maybe the problem is solving itself...?


if you have an after market pipe....check the heat shield if you have any. check any hoses or plastic that cab very close to the pipe or any part of the pipe that is close to plastice or even foam...

two weeks ago i went for a ride....i came back home...and i saw some smoke coming out heat shield where my rear brake pedal is........found out some tree leaves were stuck there creating little of smoke. also about some 8 months ago....i took my air filters out of the air box for inspections.....i found a couple of butterflies and a flydragon....good thing i clean my filters.

it could be just about anything....or even electrical tape coming off undone and touching some thing very hot....i know, i know...it would never happened....but im saying it here cause it has happened to me before.;)

[MogNo1]

I doubt its a self solving issue you have there........if your detecting a burning smell odds are something is burning or melting. From what you said its only just started after your HID mod.....would suggest to me its an electrical fault possibly due to the mod. Its possible it may just be a coincidence that its all started after after the mod. If your possitive its from the tail section then as suggested have a close look at your exhaust......there is very little wiring there to get fried and the only other obvious cause for heat generated to burn something is the exhaust. As suggested check your heatshield and any debrie buildup. Definately pull your front seat up and just follow your nose!

[TX Repsol]

It gets weirder... After work I checked it running the bike idle, and nothing, not a smell. So I went back home and during the trip there also wasn't a smell, while last night I even smelled it doing 60mph and when standing still you could smell it at least a feet away. Anyway, back home, I took off the passenger seat and with my nose nearly in the seat compartment I sensed the same overheat smell, only much and much less than before, and it seemed to come from the right half the rear seat compartment.. Haven't checked under the front seat yet...
I should be careful, but I thought maybe the problem is solving itself...?

This doesn't make sense to me...

At 60 mph, I don't see how you can smell anything coming from your motorcycle. Think about it, your head is a couple feet above the motorcycle and at 60 mph any smell coming from the motorcycle will be blown behind you much quicker than it would be able to drift up to your nose... unless the bike is on fire or something.

I think your mind's playing tricks on you! Or maybe you need to wash your helmet? :D

[repsol78]

This doesn't make sense to me...

At 60 mph, I don't see how you can smell anything coming from your motorcycle. Think about it, your head is a couple feet above the motorcycle and at 60 mph any smell coming from the motorcycle will be blown behind you much quicker than it would be able to drift up to your nose... unless the bike is on fire or something.

I think your mind's playing tricks on you! Or maybe you need to wash your helmet? :D

Sorry, meant 60 km/h. Still, perhaps my mind was playing tricks on me. I'm planning to go for a ride this coming Saturday. Before the ride, I'll check the above mentioned parts..

[repsol78]

Well, this issue is solved...

I went for a ride last Saturday. After arriving at my destination, I made a small U-turn to park. Just before standing still the power went down. I tried to start, but not a sound or any sign of power. The fuel pump worked, as did the signal lights. The head lights didn't work either. I called the local bikeshop and they said the problem would be the battery, which was a bit strange, since the signals worked.

Anyway, the bikeshop picked me up and we went to their garage. After telling them about the smell and that it occured after installing the HID's, they found the cause of all these problems. It appeared that despite the electrical tape I used to cover the HID wiring, there was still a but wiring exposed. They said this area made contact with the frame during the U-turn, causing a short circuit and a burned fuse, in particular, the fuse linked to the start relay of the bike, located under the main seat. That burning smell 4 days earlier was the first sign of the short circuit.

So the fuse was replaced, the wiring completely taped and problem solved. The fuse was located behind the left fairing. After removing the fairing they saw the xenon ballasts mounted back-to-back like TXRepsol has done it. The mechanic said the ballasts are too close to eachother this way and that this may cause overheating problems. I said I would look into that and didn't change the position.

So looking back, the smell was indeed transfered from somewhere in the middle to the back of the bike.

[MogNo1]

Well, this issue is solved...

I went for a ride last Saturday. After arriving at my destination, I made a small U-turn to park. Just before standing still the power went down. I tried to start, but not a sound or any sign of power. The fuel pump worked, as did the signal lights. The head lights didn't work either. I called the local bikeshop and they said the problem would be the battery, which was a bit strange, since the signals worked.

Anyway, the bikeshop picked me up and we went to their garage. After telling them about the smell and that it occured after installing the HID's, they found the cause of all these problems. It appeared that despite the electrical tape I used to cover the HID wiring, there was still a but wiring exposed. They said this area made contact with the frame during the U-turn, causing a short circuit and a burned fuse, in particular, the fuse linked to the start relay of the bike, located under the main seat. That burning smell 4 days earlier was the first sign of the short circuit.

So the fuse was replaced, the wiring completely taped and problem solved. The fuse was located behind the left fairing. After removing the fairing they saw the xenon ballasts mounted back-to-back like TXRepsol has done it. The mechanic said the ballasts are too close to eachother this way and that this may cause overheating problems. I said I would look into that and didn't change the position.

So looking back, the smell was indeed transfered from somewhere in the middle to the back of the bike.

Told you to check under your seat...battery and fuse.......not meaning to be getting on your case here but your lucky you didnt do more damage.....you probably shouldnt have been continuing to ride until you had sorted that issue.....anyhow.....all sorted......you know now for next time to tape this wires up alittle better......life is one big learning curve! :D

[repsol78]

Told you to check under your seat...battery and fuse.......not meaning to be getting on your case here but your lucky you didnt do more damage.....you probably shouldnt have been continuing to ride until you had sorted that issue.....anyhow.....all sorted......you know now for next time to tape this wires up alittle better......life is one big learning curve! :D

I know.. I did check under the main seat, but only found the main fuse, which looked good. I'm lucky power shutdown didn't occur on the highway..