Ducati Monster Forum

Hey Everyone,

I've been talking with a couple of our vendors and they have suggested the MTT43 tanks could be so much more attractive with some graphics. We can work with simple shapes and solid colors, nothing crazy. I was thinking about some white stripes over the top of a red tank or triangle panels, like red and green on the white tank (or white panels on the red tank). Of course, any design can go on any of the colors of tank, but the black tank is about the worst, as it off-gases more than other colors. Further, the mold's porosity exacerbates the off gassing. Oh, and the graphic cannot go across the mold lines. My first thought is to do a contest or something where designs that we adopt would get their artists a MTT43 tank... what do you think?

We are currently using a company for the product labels on our tanks (http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/gallery/index.php?displaypic=Fuel_tanks%2FMonster%2Fmtt43_056.jpg&non_lr=1). The graphics go into the mold before the polyethylene powder is added. We are not licensed to use the Ducati name, so lets please avoid that...

Here are some pics from our photo shoot last Friday:
(http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/gallery/index.php?previewpic=Fuel_tanks%2FMonster%2Fmtt43_008.jpg) (http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/gallery/index.php?display=Fuel_tanks%2FMonster%2Fmtt43_008.jpg)  (http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/gallery/index.php?previewpic=Fuel_tanks%2FMonster%2Fmtt43_009.jpg) (http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/gallery/index.php?display=Fuel_tanks%2FMonster%2Fmtt43_009.jpg)  (http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/gallery/index.php?previewpic=Fuel_tanks%2FMonster%2Fmtt43_010.jpg) (http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/gallery/index.php?display=Fuel_tanks%2FMonster%2Fmtt43_010.jpg)  (http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/gallery/index.php?previewpic=Fuel_tanks%2FMonster%2Fmtt43_015.jpg) (http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/gallery/index.php?display=Fuel_tanks%2FMonster%2Fmtt43_015.jpg)
(link to the entire photo gallery (http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/gallery/index.php?dir=Fuel_tanks%2FMonster%2F&startpic=0))

What do you all think??
Thanks,
Chris

sounds fun chris. one thought that i have is that putting graphics on the tank might potentially turn people off, as it may not match their bike (yeah, even if they are only using it for a race tank)

what about a two tone color, such as black down in the knee cut outs, and red everywhere else? the black would match the seat, and the other color to match the buyers bike colors.

just a thought...

Have to agree with Herm here. Graphics may turn people away.

Perhaps come up with an optional kit that people can purchase  and install on their own?  Or make it a check out option, but note that it'll add cost/delivery time.

And I agree, if people are getting a custom tank, they might well have designs of their on in mind already

I think i'll be getting started as soon as i get back in town from the beach.
this tank is gorgeous, i have some tasteful ideas already :)

tanks look wicked, id like a little black and white two tone yin and yang-esque thing, but thats just me. i looove black and white two tones. same thing could be accomplished with the white tank and some custom tank spec pads


i agree that if there were production graphics, they would have to be pretty subtle, or people could get turned off
(were not exactly the type R sticker crowd  ;) )

If you can accent the area around the knee-cut out, i see what looks almost like an "arrow" head, or checkmark turned on its side. that gives a forward pointing arrow graphic.

i'm on a computer with zero graphics capabilities and something besides MS Paint is required to convey ideas with any value.

Yeah, tank graphics would be one or two (or a few) designs that might not always be in stock... but would be able to be applied to the mold on a per tank basis in the next production run. These turn pretty quick, so not a big delay.

:) Chris