exhaust smell - low compression reading

[Evie]

Last weekend I guy who was riding behind me complained about the smell from my exhaust.   I'm think'in I must be running rich, so I'll check my plugs.
My plugs looked OK & the bike runs great, idle and high speed , so I decided to to a compression check.

engine cold, throttle open, all plugs out, 120 across the board
engine hot, throttle open, all plugs out, 123 across the board
engine hot, throttle open, all plugs out, teaspoon of oil in the cylinder, 123

I have a 2000 interstate, rolled it out of the showroom myself.   160K ,well taken care of, Mobile 1 since birth.

Did a compression check about  15K ago and got 170 across the board.

Doesn't seem likely that all cylinders dropped 50 lbs....what am I doing wrong?
Can my carbs be running rich?   Plugs were only slightly carboned.

[Ricky-D]

That Guy.

Typical rookie comment from someone trying to get on the good side of you.

Stop riding with him.

[indybobm]

I think that your compression tester is suspect. Try a different one or try yours on someones bike.

[sandy]

Has the bike sat up, not used, for a while? It could be clogged or partially clogged jets are causing a lean misfire which shows up as too rich on the smell o meter. Clean jets and set pilots to 2 turns out and you should be good to go. As for the compression, your seat of the pants Dino should be a better test.

[PSUbag]

I've had people behind me tell me that my exhaust smells like gas when I jump on the throttle. It's been that way for 20 years and 160,000 miles. Nothing to worry about.