I See Smoke

[cbseas]

-Not sure if this should be posted under Trouble Shooting-

Well, I finally got my bike a 2006 Yamaha V-Star 650 (pics to come). I was out tonight riding it for the first time and noticed a little bit of white smoke. I caught first glimpse of the smoke/exhaust (not sure if it's smoke or exhaust) in the front headlight while idle in the parking lot. While riding I swear I still noticed it too. Now it's not like I'm flaming down the road with a ball of smoke, it's only a little. I had a friend follow behind me and she didn't notice it. Nothing smells odd and it is a little faint but still noticeable enough for me to tack this post. Over the course of 30 minutes riding I noticed it, yet, I can't find it's source. Now the bike is brand new (only 10 miles on it so far) so I'm unsure if this is a part of the break-in phase or something I should get checked out.

I should also note that while going through the owners manual and through the steps to check the instrument and control function I found an error. I was checking the engine/kickstand/clutch cut-off system and got through the first two steps no problem but the last step was flawed. The second step had me stall the engine while in first with the clutch pulled and throwing down the kickstand, this worked. The third step had me (with the clutch still pulled and in first gear) put the kickstand back up and press the start switch to start the engine. Unfortunately, it didn't start and this means I can't start the bike from 1st gear at all. The manual stated that the clutch may be defective and needs to be checked by the dealer.

Of course the manual also said I shouldn't ride the bike at all but I did a little parking lot testing and that's when I noticed the white smoke/exhaust. So I have three questions:

1. Is the smoke/exhaust I see normal or a problem to point out to the dealer?

2. If the smoke/exhaust is a problem could it be related to my clutch problem?

3. Aside from not being able to start the engine in first gear (I can in neutral) would the bike be safe enough to ride eight miles to my dealer or should I haul it or better yet have them come get it since they put it together and dropped it off like this without checking it themselves?

I'm definately taking my bike in for the clutch problem but would like to know what to tell the mechanic about this smoke/exhaust issue, if it even is an issue? (Maybe it's the breaks wearing in...oh, I don't know)

[camthepyro]

I had similar smoke if I left the bike running in the driveway, which I think was from lack of cooling. But if I went out and rode around, it would cool the engine and stop smoking.

[MrGompers]

I'm only an ametuer mechanic. The smoke you see could be from condensation inside the exhaust pipes and will burn off within a few minutes. Was the bike sitting out in cold weather ?

[cbseas]

Was the bike sitting out in cold weather ?

The bike is currently sitting outside, under covered parking, with a cover on it. The weather has been humid, stormy, and between 65 to 75 degress (F) for the last week (about ten degrees cooler at night). I've had the bike a couple of days stored in this setting.

[CORSCO]

Your bike not starting in gear is probably a disconnected clutch switch. Look at your clutch lever and look under it. You will see a switch and probably a disconnected connector. Just plug it back in and try again. The set-up company at our shop always forget to plug them in. The smoke is probably some of the cosmoline burning off. This is a anti-rust agent to protect the bike while being shipped. It will burn off soon, or just wash your bike throughly.

[flynrider]

I think CORSCO hit the nail on the head on both counts. If it was not a brand new bike, smoke wafting around you when sitting still would likely indicate an oil leak (i.e. oil dribbles onto hot cylinders and cooks). Being that the bike is brand new, you're probably seeing the preservative film burning off. Motorcycle dealers try to wash it off after assembly, but some always gets left behind. Particularly between the cooling fins on an air-cooled engine. I've had that happen on every new bike I've owned.

Just to be sure, Feel around the engine (when it's cool) carfully for any oil. You have to feel because brand new oil is very difficult to see unless there is a lot of it.

He's also right about the clutch switch. Either the switch is unplugged, or its defective. This is just a little electrical switch that was put there to keep you from starting the bike in gear with the clutch engaged. It has nothing to do with the operation of your clutch. It's perfectly safe to ride, you'll just have to put it in neutral to start it if you stall at a light.

[cbseas]

Yeah that did it. It was the clutch switch just under the clutch, unplugged and just hanging there. Feel like an a$$ because it's right in front of my face. At the same time though, if you don't know what you're looking for it could be completely missed (or so I tell myself). As for the smoke, I think it is just that preservation solution burning off. Cleaned the bike extensively and didn't see any smoke after. Thanks for your help. For my next post...pictures

[CORSCO]

Glad everything turned out all right. Look forward to seeing the pics.