Exhaust heat from motorcycles can be a major problem. When you use a bike rack, the heat from your bike exhaust pipe can cause the rack to discolor, warp, or even melt.
This article on “How to Protect Bike Rack from Exhaust Heat” guide will show you how to protect your bike rack from the damaging effects of exhaust heat with a few easy methods and steps.
How to Protect Bike Rack from Exhaust Heat: Ways
The first factor to consider before you begin is that you must figure out whether your motorcycle rack is made of any PVC or metals. If it is made of PVC, then you will have to take some different steps than if it were made out of metals. Because PVC can easily melt, whereas metals can not, you must take more care when heatproofing a PVC rack in comparison to a metal one.
No matter what kind of motorcycle rack you have, it is important to choose at least one single method, or you can also go for multiple methods and take steps to protect it from exhaust heat.
There are four methods to protect bike racks from heat generated by the exhaust. You can follow any one of them, or you can follow all four of them to get the most optimal result.
Method for PVC Bike Rack
If you have a PVC rack, one way to protect the PVC rack from exhaust heat is to invest in some quality to wrap it in heat resistant tape. Simply wrap the heat resistant tape around the entire rack, covering all sides completely. This will help to redirect the heat off the rack and prevent it from melting, and will also create a barrier between the hot exhaust and the PVC.
Method for Metal Bike Rack
Both of these methods will help to safeguard your rack from the heat of the exhaust and will also help to keep your bikes cooler in general. Using both of these methods is recommended if you live in a hot climate or ride in hot weather often.
Use a Heat Shield
A heat shield is the easiest and most common way to defend your motorbike rack from exhaust heat. It is a simple shiny sheet of metal that you can place between the exhaust and the bike rack. This will dissipate the heat away quickly from the rack. The shield protects the motorcycle rack by reflecting the exhaust heat away from it.
Use a Heat Reflective Tape
The second method is to use a heat reflective tape. This will also reflect the heat away from the bike rack. This can be made of thin aluminum foil or another type of material. The rack will be able to reflect the heat away and prevent it from getting hotter by forming a barrier between the exhaust pipe and the bike rack.
Use a Heat Shield and Heat Reflective Tape
If you want the best protection for your bike rack, then you can use a heat shield and wrap. This combination will bounce the heat rays off from the rack and slow down the heat transfer.
Use a Heat Sink
The exhaust generates a lot of heat as the motorcycle runs, and this heat can damage the rack itself and its components inside. The heat sink helps to release the heat by absorbing it and then dissipating it into the air.
The motorbike heat sink is usually made of metal. This allows more heat to be absorbed and then released, keeping the bike exhaust cooler. The motorbike heat sink is an essential component of any motorcycle.
Use a Water Sprayer
When motorcycle exhaust pipe gets hot, they can damage the paint or finishes on nearby surfaces, which might include your bike rack. To protect the rack, you can spray it down with water from a water sprayer. The water will help to cool the exhaust pipe and prevent the heat from spreading all over. Spraying water on the exhaust pipe will help to keep the area around the bike rack clean and free of dirt.
Use a Combination of Methods
For the best protection, you can use a combination of methods. This could include a motorbike heat shield, heat wrap, and heat sink. By using a combination of multiple methods, you will be able to reflect, dissipate, and absorb the heat generated by the exhaust.
Why do You Need to Protect a Motorbike Rack from the Frame?
There are several reasons why you might want to protect your motorbike rack from the frame.
- The rack can act as a buffer between the bike and the road. By absorbing some of the shocks from bumps and potholes, it can help to prevent damage to the frame.
- Stabilizing the bike can be achieved with the rack. By spreading the weight of the bike across a larger surface area, it helps to prevent the bike from tipping over.
- The rack can help to keep the bike clean. Keeping the bike off of the ground helps to prevent dirt and debris from accumulating on the frame.
- Loading and unloading can be made more accessible with the rack. Creating a raised platform for the bike makes it easier to lift the bike onto and off of the rack.
How Does Installing a Motorbike Rack Damage Your Motorbike Frame?
There are a few ways that a motorbike rack can damage your bike. For one, the exhaust heat from the bike can melt or damage the plastic on your bike rack. If you have anything heavy mounted behind on top of your motorbike, it can cause wear and tear on your motorcycle’s suspension over time.
If you are not cautious when riding, you could possibly knock off your motorbike rack with something like a curb or parking stop. All of these things can lead to damage or even ruin your motorbike. So, it is worthwhile to be conscious of them and do what is necessary to ward off them.
Exhaust heat:
As mentioned above, one way a motorcycle rack can weaken your bike is by exposure to exhaust heat. This issue is especially true in the situation when the motorbike rack is made of plastic. These plastic made motorbike racks deform when exposed to high temperatures.
This happens because the material plastic warps or even melts when exposed to overheating. If you are using a metal rack, this is less likely to be an issue. It is still something to be aware of, as extended exposure to heat can damage metal as well.
Weight:
If you have a heavy object hanging on the back of your motorbike, it puts strain on your motorbike’s suspension system. This is because the weight of the bike will compress the springs in your suspension. This strain due to carrying overweight could lead to permanent damage to your suspension.
This can lead to result in costly repairs. For this reason, it is important to make sure that your bike rack is rated for the weight of your motorbike and also make sure to distribute the weight of your bike evenly on the rack.
Incidents like knocking your bike off:
If you are not careful when riding, you could potentially knock your motorbike off the rack with anything. Take this as an example, if you hit a curb or parking stop while making a turn, your motorcycle could potentially fall off the rack.
If this happens, this could result in potential damage to both your motorcycle and the rack. It is essential always to be aware of your surroundings and take care when riding near obstacles. To avoid this, always drive slowly and carefully when you have a bike in the back of your motorbike. Make sure to secure your bike properly to the rack before driving.
Damage from the weather:
If you live in an area with harsh weather conditions, your motorbike could be at risk of damage from the elements. To avoid this, make sure to store your bike inside when not in use and to cover it with a tarp or other protective covering when it’s on the rack.
Theft:
Unfortunately, motorbikes are often targeted by thieves. If you are going to be leaving your bike unattended for any length of time, make sure to take steps to secure it. This could include locking it to the rack or parking it in a well-lit and visible area.
The consequences of all of these things can ruin your motorbike or cause it to be damaged. Inspect your bike regularly for any signs of damage or deterioration. It is important to be aware of them and take steps to avoid them.
By taking all of these precautions, you can help to ensure that your motorbike is protected from damage while on the rack. Such as by using a cover for your motorcycle rack to help protect it from exhaust heat or by being careful when riding so that you do not accidentally knock your motorcycle off the rack.
Will Aluminum Motorbike Rack Get Rusty in the Rain?
Many people are surprised to learn that aluminum is actually a naturally corrosion-resistant metal. This means that it will not rust easily, even when exposed to moisture. It is commonly used in saltwater applications because it is not susceptible to corrosion from salt water or other chemicals.
As long as you keep your aluminum motorbike rack clean and dry, it should not rust. Aluminum is often used in outdoor applications precisely because of its resistance to corrosion. It is important to note that aluminum can still get corroded under certain conditions, like if it is left unpainted or unprotected.
For example, if the metal is exposed to salt water or acidic rain, it can develop a thin layer of oxide that can eventually lead to corrosion. Riding a motorbike with an aluminum rack in the rain will not cause the rack to rust, but it may cause the rack to become corroded over time.
To prevent this, you can either paint the rack or keep it clean and dry. If you do ride in the rain, make sure to dry off the rack as soon as possible to prevent corrosion. But for most people, an aluminum motorbike rack will provide years of trouble-free use, even in the harshest weather conditions. So, you can rest assured that your bike rack will continue to look good, even after being exposed to the elements.
Will The Stainless Steel Motorbike Rack Get Rusty If You Ride It In The Rain?
To understand whether your stainless steel motorbike rack will get rusty or not when it rains, you need to understand and look at why stainless steel does not corrode or rust. Stainless steel is an alloy of iron, chromium, and other metals.
Stainless steel is made with a higher percentage of chromium than other metals. The high percentage of chromium creates a thin protective layer of oxide on the surface of the metal. This oxide layer is what prevents oxygen and other elements from breaking down the steel. Chromium creates a layer on the surface of the.
That means that your stainless steel motorbike rack is more resistant to corrosion and rust than other metals. But that does not mean it is immune. If you regularly ride your bike in the rain and regularly park your bike next to a hot exhaust pipe, the moisture can cause discoloration and damage to the finish of your rack.
There are a few things you can do to protect your rack from the elements. You can try to park your bike in a covered area when you’re not using it. If that’s not possible, you can cover the rack with a waterproof material like a tarp or plastic sheet.
You can also use a paint protection film on the surface of the rack. This will help repel water and prevent damage to the finish. Taking these precautions will help keep your bike rack looking new.
On a Final Note
These methods we mentioned above in answer to “How to Protect Bike Rack from Exhaust Heat” should be used as a preventative measure, not a cure. If the bike rack is already damaged, it should be replaced.
By taking any of these or all of these necessary steps and following the tips we provided, you can help protect your bike rack from exhaust heat, prolong the life of your motorcycle rack, and keep it looking new for longer. This will keep your bike and bike rack in good condition.
Make sure you take the time to do this to enjoy your motorcycle for many years to come. Any time you would like to ask any further queries, or in case you need assistance or advice on how to pick the appropriate heat barrier to use with your bike rack, please do not hesitate and let us know by contacting through email.
We are gladly willing and ready if we can provide assistance to you and also would be at all times available whenever needed. Thank you for taking the time and reading with patience, and we hope it was helpful.
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