Motorcycle Thermostats & Housings

The engine of your motorcycle is engineered to provide maximum power output and perform at its peak, while running safely, within a narrow temperature range, around 200°F. However, your engine isn’t always working at an optimum temperature. When you start the engine on a cold day, you want it to get warm as soon as possible, and, vise versa, when idling in traffic on a hot summer day, you want it to cool on its own quickly and efficiently. The thermostat is responsible to keep this under control. It helps the engine heat up promptly and then helps keep it at a certain working temperature.

When your engine is not warmed up, the thermostat remains closed and no coolant circulates through the engine. As soon as the engine reaches its operating temperature, the thermostat begins to open and forces the cooling fluid to move through the radiator. And when the engine temperature goes over the normal level, the thermostat guides the fluid through your radiator to cool it down. All this is possible thanks to the design of the thermostat, and, more particularly, the cylinder inside its housing, which is usually filled with wax that starts to melt at temperatures around 180°F. When the wax melts, it expands considerably and pushes the rod out of the cylinder, as a result forcing the valve to open.

The proper functioning of the thermostat is critical for safe and efficient engine operation. If it opens too early, your engine will run inefficiently, which will result in increased fuel consumption and reduced performance. On the other hand, if the thermostat doesn’t open at the required temperature, your engine may get overheated and begin ruining itself. That’s why it is very important to check the condition of your thermostat from time to time. If your engine gets warm longer than usual or it overheats, it’s time to inspect your thermostat. Timely replacement of a faulty thermostat will help you prolong the service life of your engine, reduce its emissions, and thus enjoy more rides on your bike.