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We all have to buy that boat part and install it on our bikes...

1397 Views 15 Replies 11 Participants Last post by  newbiker, 
N
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I think it is a zinc piece which prevents rust in boat engines, including ones with salt water cooling system. not sure about right name.
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newbiker wrote:
I think it is a zinc piece which prevents rust in boat engines, including ones with salt water cooling system. not sure about right name.
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It's called a sacrificial zinc anode. It prevents electrolysis. If you put two dissimilar metals in an electrolyte solution (salt water or other conductive liquid), it will create a tiny electrical current which will cause one of the metals to break down (you may also recognize this as what we commonly call a "battery"). You put the zinc inodes on a boat motor and other metal partsbecause the zinc will break down first, thus preserving the motor or other parts.





Some cooling systemshave created an electrolysis effect (Suzuki's quadhad an issue with that due to the type of metals in the engine and the coolant used)........but installing zinc inodes on a bike won't do a thing forrust whatsoever. Unless you leave your bike parked in theocean. In which case, by all means........install a couple of zinc anodes.
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Zink will probably work when it is raining or high humidity.
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Ripper
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The zinc anode does not prevent rust. It is used to prevent corrosion which is not the same thing.
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newbiker wrote:
Zink will probably work when it is raining or high humidity.
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No.........the conditions are not applicable. Electrolysis caused erosion is NOT rust........two entirely different conditions. Zinc has nothing to do with rust whatsoever.



Electrolysis occurs when two different metals are both submerged in a conductive liquid. It is something that occurs over a period of time, not instantly.



Your bike would have to be under water in the ocean in order for zinc to prevent corrosion.



Rainwater is relatively pure and would be a poor conductor....certainly not enough to matter. Humidity.......well, if simple humidity conducted current, everybody in Florida would be dead wouldn't they?



It's basic chemistry here.......zinc does not prevent rust........it provides another source of metal more easily consumed by electrolysis.....hence the term "sacrificial".



The rust on your bike is not caused by electrolysis, it is caused by the oxidation of the iron when exposed to moisture in the air. Entirely different chemical reation and zinc would have no bearing..........your bike will continue to rust at the same rate in the same places......even if you bolted a hundred pounds of zinc to it.
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T
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You could galvanise all your metal parts if you really want to use zinc then you wouldnt have rust

Cheers Tunnow
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Ferrarimx5
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Does this mean I have to STOP using my Goldwing to Launch my Boat?
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Keno
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I'd zinc about it and then what ever floats your boat (sorry):cooldevil:
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andyalso
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:cheeky1::cheeky1::cheeky1::cheeky1:
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Bike...and Dennis
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Keno wrote:
I'd zinc about it and then what ever floats your boat (sorry):cooldevil:
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No, that would zinc your boat?
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Slipjoint
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this thread is zincing fast:action:
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I am going to prove you are wrong! I'll just buy a lot of them and cover my frame completely! I will fill spaces by epoxy... :)
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ollka
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This topic will zinc..

If you´re so cheap that you use only water as coolant, then you would need a sacrificial anode inside the cooling system.
And that in car systems because they use iron engine blocks, bikes have all aluminium systems.
You dont need antifreeze in Florida but you need the anticorrosion factor
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jimsjinx
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I though sacrificial anode was something to do with what happens in prisons?? jimsjinx
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B
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Anode this topic would attract the freaks who zinc they are funny.
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ollka wrote:
This topic will zinc..

If you´re so cheap that you use only water as coolant, then you would need a sacrificial anode inside the cooling system.
And that in car systems because they use iron engine blocks, bikes have all aluminium systems.
You dont need antifreeze in Florida but you need the anticorrosion factor
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I was told zink will work only if I use sea water...:)
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