Triumphrat

ab_square · 03-30-2008

Ok folks. There is something that I've been wondering, a rather odd question...but I have to ask and find out everyone's different experiences and opinions. After almost a year with my thruxton, I've grown to love it even more . I'm still getting compliments and attention everywhere I go...for instance, yesterday at a long light, a guy who professed to be an owner of a "loud '92 Harley with ape hangers" wanted to know everything about the bike. Of course, he loved it just like all the rest.

So with everything being perfect, the season approaching and mods in que, the one question I have is "What do you do about that smell?".....that of carbs & gas after you've been riding for an hour or so? It's not that big of a deal if I'm riding for leisure, but if I actually have somewhere else to go (a friends or work), I tend to bring a change of clothes. Out of courtesy, I wouldn't want to leave a friend's couch smelling like a garage....my wife already gave the business about our own couch.

So what do you do? Is this just me and my thrux? an isolated thing? or am I making too much of nothing?

lindsayt · 03-30-2008

It's a very manly cologne. If people don't like the smell, they can bugger off. Seriously, I ride to work almost every day and never worry about it. I work in a white-collar client-facing academic job, and have never had trouble.

wildchild · 03-30-2008

Never been a problem unless you make a mess when you gas up

sweatmachine · 03-30-2008

ab_square, you may be running a tad rich if the smell is that strong. What's your setup? Mods, jetting, etc?

Like black diesel exhaust, I like the smell of a little raw, un-catalyzed moto-exhaust myself.

Kirkus51 · 03-31-2008

It's the smell of freedom dude. I haven't put a drop of Castrol R in my gas yet, but I'm almost that nostalgic.

modre · 03-31-2008

take more off the intake, add bigger jets and pipes...see if that fixes the gas smell.

Panthermark · 03-31-2008

My bike's aroma isn't "that" strong....but it does have a particular scent which I enjoy....it's the smell of exhaust, gas, oil, and leather (my jacket).

Tools and grease in a garage have that same scent....

Yeah...it is the smell of freedom....

BonnieBob · 03-31-2008

You may have high float levels and the excess vapors are blowing back onto you, you may also from this condition be running on the rich side adding to the oder. I don't have much if any oder coming from my bike, I certainly don't smell bad when I get back in from a long ride, your bike has a fuel, exhaust, vapor problem somewhere, I'd start with the float levels.

BB

BillTheCat · 03-31-2008

Even if you don't smell like gas or oil after 2hrs. in the summer you smell. have you ever noticed the bug gut smell WWeeue dead splattered bugs smell bad get used to the reaction from the general public they do not understand!!!. Where do you think Bikers got the dirty scum of the earth reputation from.
In the immortal words of the Eagles Get Over It.

ab_square · 03-31-2008

...this is great. I should have asked earlier. So the smell isn't as if the engine is smoking or anything like that...It just seems to really set in after some time on the bike...more than what I would think to be normal. Nevertheless, as for my set up.....sadly I'm not a wrencher, but per my great 'bike guy' -- jets= 145 mains 42 pilots, airbox removal, AI removal, preds.

I will admit that I'm a complete novice at this part of the whole thing. Wrenching is daunting with no prior experience or someone to guide you a little. This will only be my second official full season and I surely want to learn eventually...but until then...