Can anyone help me figure out what all this melted plastic is?!

Clovis Point

contributing rider
Joined
Jan 7, 2024
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18
Location
Kentucky
I went to get on my bike (23 svart with 10k miles) and noticed a hole in the top of my rear brake fluid reservoir. Upon closer inspection I find this. 😱. I genuinely have no idea what happened. I don’t know if this happened while parked or going down the road. If it happened going down the road I didn’t notice it. I do smoke cigarettes and was parked in the vicinity (but not really close) to a pretty well contained camp fire over Labor Day weekend. I’m not even sure what it is that melted. My air box seems to be fine. Haven’t noticed any changes in the bike. I’ve ridden 700 miles in the last 10 days due to my jeep not running.

Someone please help me understand wth is going on.
 

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I went to get on my bike (23 svart with 10k miles) and noticed a hole in the top of my rear brake fluid reservoir. Upon closer inspection I find this. 😱. I genuinely have no idea what happened. I don’t know if this happened while parked or going down the road. If it happened going down the road I didn’t notice it. I do smoke cigarettes and was parked in the vicinity (but not really close) to a pretty well contained camp fire over Labor Day weekend. I’m not even sure what it is that melted. My air box seems to be fine. Haven’t noticed any changes in the bike. I’ve ridden 700 miles in the last 10 days due to my jeep not running.

Someone please help me understand wth is going on.

Something caught fire, to melt the reservoir cap like that. Electrical tape, wire insulation? You should have seen smoke and/or smelled it. Amazing that the bike still functions.
 
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I can't believe Husky would design and test a bike with this MAJOR inherent flaw, particularly when it's been in production with the Svart and Vit for years.....Vandalism perhaps.
Says a lot for Husky though , "took a lickin but it's still tickin"
 
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Is that the air-box drain back to the crank-case? Is all the black sludge melted plastic or oil/gunk buildup from the airbox?

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That is totally bizarre. Did you make any enemies at that camp site? I'm imagining someone took a torch or flaming log and stuck it in there to melt stuff.
 
I went to get on my bike (23 svart with 10k miles) and noticed a hole in the top of my rear brake fluid reservoir. Upon closer inspection I find this. 😱. I genuinely have no idea what happened. I don’t know if this happened while parked or going down the road. If it happened going down the road I didn’t notice it. I do smoke cigarettes and was parked in the vicinity (but not really close) to a pretty well contained camp fire over Labor Day weekend. I’m not even sure what it is that melted. My air box seems to be fine. Haven’t noticed any changes in the bike. I’ve ridden 700 miles in the last 10 days due to my jeep not running.

Someone please help me understand wth is going on.
Did you end up learning any more about this?
 
Did you end up learning any more about this?
Sorry. Forgot to update. When I was taking the air box off I discovered a half smoked cigarette….i think i somehow managed to draw in the cherry and some oil from the crankcase vent ….

Ended up finding a presented replacement for $65 on eBay. My buddy Kris owed me a favor and offered to do the work for me. I trust his ability to not screw things up when wrenching more than my own … all went well.
 
"a half smoked cigarette"..........please explain to your bike that smoking kills...or at least melts plastic. ;)
 
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If you're dealing with melted plastic and trying to figure out what type it is, it’s important to approach it carefully. Here's how you can safely handle the situation and possibly identify the plastic:


1.​


  • Different plastics melt in different ways, so the color and texture of the melted plastic can give you some clues. For example, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) might melt into a hard, shiny surface, while polyethylene can create a waxy or soft appearance.
  • Check the surface: Is it smooth or sticky? Does it have any bubbles? These can also help narrow down the type.

2.​


Be very careful when smelling melted plastic, as some types can release harmful fumes. However, if you do, here’s what you can look for:


  • Burnt plastic smell: Could indicate PVC or polystyrene.
  • Sweet smell: Often associated with polyethylene or polypropylene.
  • Chemical odor: Could be nylon or another synthetic plastic.

3.​


  • Ventilate the area: Make sure you are in a well-ventilated space because melted plastic can release harmful fumes.
  • Wear gloves: To protect your hands from any residue or burns, wear heat-resistant gloves when handling melted plastic.

4.​


Sometimes, testing a small sample or using a tool like a plastic identification guide can help you figure out what kind of plastic it is. A plastic identification chart lists different types of plastics based on their characteristics like melting points and appearance.




Just like when people modify apps to unlock extra features for a better experience (for example, using duolingo mod ipa to get additional features in Duolingo), identifying melted plastic involves understanding its characteristics and using the right tools to figure out what you're dealing with. Knowing the type of plastic can help you handle it more safely and decide what to do next.


Let me know if you need more help with this or have any other questions!
 
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