-02 900SSie,hole in the gas tank - Ducati.ms

opa · Nov 13th, 2011, 12:02 pm

Hi! No more Ducati rides for now... Just noticed that there was a tiny fuel leak and a bubble in paint in the lower left side. Well, took the tank of so that I could see the damage. Tank is really rusty and I could easily punch a hole in it with screwdriver.

Choices are to buy a new tank or to make one from sheet metal.
Questions:
Does anyone know if tank from older SS would fit?
Does anyone make plastic or glassfibre tanks for SS?

btw. Yes, i'm pissed...

Mblaster · Nov 13th, 2011, 3:46 pm

Im a total clueless nOob, but why couldnt it be fixed?...

Ducatierv · Nov 13th, 2011, 6:38 pm

Don't think older SS will fit although I had the same problem on a couple of early SS's , getting a good welder and you may be able to save it with most of the paint top side ok.

Sofa King · Nov 13th, 2011, 7:06 pm

Depending on the size of the holes you could probably use some painters tape and when you apply the epoxy during a POR-15 fix, or similar product. Since it will be a liquid that will settle down in the deepest sections, I imagine it would settle into that area and setup real hard. Little touchup paint afterwards and no one would even notice. I have seen a few bubbles on my tank so I know it's coming for me too.

Here is the process I found to apply POR-15: Fix a leaking motorcycle gas tank with POR-15 - Talking BikesTalking Bikes

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Bill T · Nov 13th, 2011, 8:15 pm

Hi,

Weld it up, it can be saved. The bad areas need to be cut out and new material welded in. In my opinion, welding in new material is the best. Coatings and liners will make it harder if not impossible to repair with welding later, due to how hard it is to clean the metal for welding. Find a good weld shop, or body shop to fix it.

Bill

Punch · Nov 13th, 2011, 9:34 pm

There is a sticky on this in the top section of the SS forum.

Heaps of options and experiences to be read.

Joe-B · Nov 14th, 2011, 7:30 am

FuelCel, Home of the Worlds best Composite Motorcycle Fuel Tanks !
Expensive, but they don't rust and are relatively easy to fix (don't ask how I know). I just noticed: that's my bike in the 3rd picture down

!

opa · Nov 14th, 2011, 11:00 am

That's one awesome bike,Joe-B! But yes, much too expensive for me... I found a good used tank from ebay.de (Germany) for 200 euros. So no more worries. But I'll try fix that damned tank. It needs new bottom part (the mounting area& pump fixing is like lace) and about 2cm new material to left side. It should become ok, I've worked with some old harley&triumph tanks before.

Many for Your quick replies!

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