Tank spreading pics - Ducati.ms

Ramaset · Nov 22nd, 2011, 7:03 pm

Hi. I am concerned I have spreading. Purchased this 2007 SC Bip used. 4700 miles. Located in Chicagoland IL. I want to take this to MCC in Villa Park IL, let them take pics, and give me a replacement.

The turning radius is definitely tight. If I lock out all the way to the left, the hand controls bump into the tank. This is very close to happening on the right side. Still my hand/fingers are going to get pinched between the throttle and the tank.

I also took pics under the tank where the 2 points of contact are. Not sure if that spreading is excessive.

I would like to get a new tank and Caswell coat it. I know I am approaching the 5 year emission warranty. So please give me your opinions if there is indeed serious spreading and if the dealer would think so as well.

Also, I would be a first time customer with a used, out-of-warranty SC. Are they going to be apprehensive working with me? Any advice?

Please let me know if there is indeed spreading. Again I have no comparison because I just got the bike.

Pics: Pictures by ramaset13 - Photobucket

JackN · Nov 22nd, 2011, 8:11 pm

Looks like a spreading tank to me. Time to visit the Duc shop and start the process of getting a new one.
The fact that your hand controls touch your tank should help your cause.

Ramaset · Nov 22nd, 2011, 9:04 pm

Great. What documentation should I bring? I do not have the title yet. Will that be a problem?

CU3RVO · Nov 23rd, 2011, 6:20 am

Definitely a spreading tank!
Just take the bike in. They'll take pictures. Thats it! Get that tank coated!!

JackN · Nov 23rd, 2011, 9:10 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramaset

Great. What documentation should I bring? I do not have the title yet. Will that be a problem?

You shouldn't need a title. The bike is still under the emissions warranty so you should be ok.
My advice is to go to the biggest shop, selling the most bikes that you can find. The bigger shops seem to be able to get replacement tanks much easier than the smaller ones.
I suppose Ducati is more willing to replace tanks for shops that move the most merchandise for them.

StraDuc · Nov 23rd, 2011, 10:02 am

MCC replaced my tank about 2 years ago with no problems. I live about 30 miles from there and they even did the replacement tank order using the pix of my spreading tank that I sent them via email so I didn't have to go out there until the new tank arrived. I did buy my ride there. They also did the tank replacement while I waited when it arrived. All good. I talked with them about a year ago as it has once again spread and was told they could only replace the mount cups as a start. Looking at your pix you still have the original small mount cups and MCC is probably going to want to just give you the new big boy cups to contain the rubber tank pucks as a start. And they will adjust your steering stops to keep the handle bar from hitting the tank. They told me Ducati would not authorize another tank for me unless these steps were first tried to "fix" the problem. Can't hurt to pay them a visit however. Good luck.

StraDuc · Nov 23rd, 2011, 10:07 am

BTW I noticed in your pix that one puck was significantly further out of the cup than the other. Is it the right side of the tank that has spread our more? On my tank it has been the right side that spread out the most both times and I am curious if others have had the same experience.

**YellowDuck** · Nov 23rd, 2011, 11:39 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by StraDuc

BTW I noticed in your pix that one puck was significantly further out of the cup than the other. Is it the right side of the tank that has spread our more? On my tank it has been the right side that spread out the most both times and I am curious if others have had the same experience.

Couldn't you push it back and forth from one side to the other? There is nothing other than the pucks and cups locating front of the tank laterally.

Ramaset · Nov 23rd, 2011, 12:37 pm

I will call them and send them pics. Hopefully that will suffice. BUT thinking back now, the 2nd owner did tell me he downed the bike on it's left side about a year ago when it was raining or something to that effect. The shifter is a bit bent and the rear seat fairing has small road rash on the left side.

The left metal alloy piece that holds the left handle bar might be slightly bent. It is very hard to see with the naked eye. Would the dealership contest the new tank because of that? I mean in general with a new tank how much clearance should one have between the handle bar and the tank when doing a full turning range of motion? The right side has never been dropped and again I can't even fit a pencil in between the space. I'm thinking the bent piece on the left is causing the hand controls to hit the tank.

I just don't want the dealer saying well this issue is the bent piece not the tank. But as you said it looks like there is general swelling all over even where the pucks are. I believe the left side is more expanded. I think that makes sense because the bike has been sitting for a long time with the kickstand down so it leans to the left.

Should I try and bend that metal piece back on the left side before calling MCC? That metal is really strong though so I don't know if I have anything to do that. Maybe a vice and a hammer?

Pic of right piece holding right handle bar: photo_1-21.jpg picture by ramaset13 - Photobucket

Pic of left piece holding left handle bar: photo_2-21.jpg picture by ramaset13 - Photobucket

Pic of left piece different angle: photo_3-17.jpg picture by ramaset13 - Photobucket

JackN · Nov 23rd, 2011, 4:30 pm

Regardless of any think else that's going on with your bike, your tank has definitely swelled. The only thing you can really do is take it to a shop to start the replacement process. Hopefully it'll go smooth and easy for you but if not, be very persistent with DNA. Eventually you'll get a new tank.