Not sure if this is in the right section.
*Mods, feel free to move if necessary*
I might be trying to get my hands on a new monster in the next year. So I'm curious if there are any swelling issues with the new monsters.
Also, if there are any other issues any of you new monster owners care to share I would appreciate it. I'm mostly interested in the 1100 but any insight would be helpful.
Thanks guys and gals. [thumbsup]
From what I've read the swelling is any of the Ducati bikes with plastic tanks. I have a brand new 796 and I am worrying about this myself. The dealership told me to put in Shell V-Power (93 octane) into the bike because it has less ethanol, I've also read that here, but a lot of people seem to be getting their shops to coat the inside of the tank with a special formula (Caswell) that seems to be working.
Quote from: timeforpoptarts on June 14, 2011, 07:00:44 PM
From what I've read the swelling is any of the Ducati bikes with plastic tanks. I have a brand new 796 and I am worrying about this myself. The dealership told me to put in Shell V-Power (93 octane) into the bike because it has less ethanol, I've also read that here, but a lot of people seem to be getting their shops to coat the inside of the tank with a special formula (Caswell) that seems to be working.
I've read about the Caswell "remedy" as well, I guess that's just one of the added costs of having a new/er Ducati. [roll]
my 2 year old m1100 tank has def expanded some, but it is less noticeable due to the tank being "skinned"
Quote from: rosstermyer on June 14, 2011, 07:19:35 PM
my 2 year old m1100 tank has def expanded some, but it is less noticeable due to the tank being "skinned"
I figured the skins covered up the swelling a bit.
Are there any re-fittment issues with servicing? I assume, because of the wonderful engineering of Ducati, that the tank bladder needs to be completely removed for major services? (i.e. valves)
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=25074.msg809084#msg809084 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=25074.msg809084#msg809084)
it'll have the issue, but it'll be less prevalent due to the fact that there are tank skins... that being said, i caswell'ed my 796. did it during the winter so it didnt cut into the riding season.
off the top of my head, and i dont know how bad the old monsters were, but the new monsters get pretty hot... esp the ones with the undertail exhaust. dunno if the m1100evo will have as much of an issue with the new headers though.
accessing the battery is a bit of a PITA due to the fact that you need to take off the tank skins and then pull off the fuel tank to get to it.
it seems that there might be a breather hose issue with the new monsters where you can get a vacuum sound when opening the gas cap. it's happened to more than one person, and it seems that the breather hose can collapse from the heat of the engine. the quick fix is to remove the charcoal canister.
cant really think of that much else that's annoyed me offhand... been running perfectly fine for me in every other aspect.
oh, if you're getting a used 1100, look into getting a 796 seat and/or the 796 risers. makes the bike a lot more comfy and it's pretty cheap too. the new evo's come stock with them i believe.
My 1.5 year old 696 has NOT expanded at all.
Quote from: Povidius on June 14, 2011, 07:28:34 PM
My 1.5 year old 696 has NOT expanded at all.
it's made from the same nylon so it'll eventually happen
oh, and using the shell 93 octane wont really help... E10 is E10, and in fact, they use ethanol to bump up the octane rating for gas.
Quote from: thought on June 14, 2011, 07:27:53 PM
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=25074.msg809084#msg809084 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=25074.msg809084#msg809084)
it'll have the issue, but it'll be less prevalent due to the fact that there are tank skins... that being said, i caswell'ed my 796. did it during the winter so it didnt cut into the riding season.
off the top of my head, and i dont know how bad the old monsters were, but the new monsters get pretty hot... esp the ones with the undertail exhaust. dunno if the m1100evo will have as much of an issue with the new headers though.
accessing the battery is a bit of a PITA due to the fact that you need to take off the tank skins and then pull off the fuel tank to get to it.
it seems that there might be a breather hose issue with the new monsters where you can get a vacuum sound when opening the gas cap. it's happened to more than one person, and it seems that the breather hose can collapse from the heat of the engine. the quick fix is to remove the charcoal canister.
cant really think of that much else that's annoyed me offhand... been running perfectly fine for me in every other aspect.
oh, if you're getting a used 1100, look into getting a 796 seat and/or the 796 risers. makes the bike a lot more comfy and it's pretty cheap too. the new evo's come stock with them i believe.
This is great info, thanks thought!! [thumbsup]
I live in LA so I don't really have any seasonal downtime. Guess I'll cross that bridge when/if I decide to get one.
And thanks for the info on the seat and risers, although I'm more a fan of clip-ons so I may go that route.
Keep the info coming guys!!
Quote from: timeforpoptarts on June 14, 2011, 07:00:44 PM
The dealership told me to put in Shell V-Power (93 octane) into the bike because it has less ethanol.
Did that dealer sell you blinker fluid also? E10 is mandated by laws a line of gas for a brand isn't going to be exempt. V-power is 10% corn pee just like the rest unfortunately. That individual is misinformed
Just run the octane gas recommended by ducati for your bike. If it's not 93 premium you're not getting any real benefit for the added cost
Ive noticed my 796's tank is off center. Its moved to the left quite a bit to the point where its almost touching the ignition Key slot. Just got off the phone with my local duc dealer and they asked me to bring it in for some pics.
Took the skins out yesterday to inspect but i didnt notice anythin unusual, no warping or anythin. I hope its just the mounting but the guy at the dealer suspects swelling. If it is infact swelling, they said theyll replace it.
Im thinkin about doin the caswell treatment if i get a new tank. Has anyone had experience with it? And does it work as advertised?
Quote from: Sad Panda on June 15, 2011, 11:40:57 AM
Did that dealer sell you blinker fluid also? E10 is mandated by laws a line of gas for a brand isn't going to be exempt. V-power is 10% corn pee just like the rest unfortunately. That individual is misinformed
Just run the octane gas recommended by ducati for your bike. If it's not 93 premium you're not getting any real benefit for the added cost
E10 is not mandated by Federal law and only five states mandate it: Minnesota, Montana, Missouri, Hawaii and Oregon.
They are actually paid to do it, and Congress is voting whether to renew the ethanol subsidies right now.
Quote from: iRam on June 17, 2011, 11:21:18 AM
Ive noticed my 796's tank is off center. Its moved to the left quite a bit to the point where its almost touching the ignition Key slot. Just got off the phone with my local duc dealer and they asked me to bring it in for some pics.
Took the skins out yesterday to inspect but i didnt notice anythin unusual, no warping or anythin. I hope its just the mounting but the guy at the dealer suspects swelling. If it is infact swelling, they said theyll replace it.
Im thinkin about doin the caswell treatment if i get a new tank. Has anyone had experience with it? And does it work as advertised?
I actually notice the same on my bike. I'm going to check the mounting tabs for shift or being loose first.
il have them check it tomorrow.
It turns out that my tank is just missing a bolt on the left mounting bracket. No swelling yet.
there are two rubber mounts for the tank on the sides
only the one on the right should have a bolt. that's the way it came from the factory.
I assume it's to allow some flex.
if you look at the rubber they are different for the sides also, the left is a single piece not needed a bolt, the right is a two piece needed a bolt to stay on.
edit: just spoke to a Ducati source- single bolt is to meet crash worthiness, otherwise not needed. he suggested putting on the left side one only and switch the rubber with it (ie two piece with the bolt, single piece without the bolt)
The problem is now spreading in europe and asia, Ducati should go back to using steel tanks instead as none of my Older pre 2003 Duactis have this problem
Quote from: jerryz on June 18, 2011, 09:35:56 AM
The problem is now spreading in europe and asia, Ducati should go back to using steel tanks instead as none of my Older pre 2003 Duactis have this problem
Ethanol's affinity for water can cause corrosion in steel tanks, and ethanol is corrosive to aluminum. It also dissolves fiberglass.
If we could just get rid of ethanol, everything would be fine.
I just don't see ethanol going away any time soon. [bang] Gas sucks and it's getting worse. If I didn't use Sta-Bil Marine Formula none of my carbed bikes, mowers or farm equipment would run. The fuel evaporates in the float bowls really fast and gobs up the jets and passage ways like no other gasoline I have ever seen. :P
Thanks for the info raux.
i know of several new Ducatis in UK where the gas is only 5% Ethanol same as Germany and they have swelling tanks , i have seen the problem in Thailand on 5 bukes an the gasohol here is 5% ,
The gasoline companies and governments in Europe want to up the ethanol content to 10% so the problem will only get worse ,,, a little rust in tanks from water is easier to fix than warping plastic .
also ethanol is causing massive price inflation in food as farmer take agricultural food products out of the food chain to make fuel instead its an evil thing all round .
Farmers are just trying to make as living. They don't choose where the corn goes
Quote from: jerryz on June 18, 2011, 09:35:56 AM
The problem is now spreading in europe and asia, Ducati should go back to using steel tanks instead as none of my Older pre 2003 Duactis have this problem
Neat! Ducati sure as hell shot themselves in the foot on this one. Any other OEM would have made tanks to meet the fuel components of a specific region. Ducati, well, not so much. Then, fight a lawsuit that points out that oversight.
So, their hole keeps getting deeper it seems. Karma.
This might sound extreme, but I see this financially making a big dent in the Company. Or worse. And it certainly won't do much to promote loyalty and returning buyers. No matter how great the bikes look.
Quote from: jerryz on June 18, 2011, 09:35:56 AM
The problem is now spreading in europe and asia, Ducati should go back to using steel tanks instead as none of my Older pre 2003 Duactis have this problem
Can you document this? I've been keeping track by posting on several boards in Italy and UK, but that's the extent of my language abilities.
technical tank talk = good for riding community.
ethanol political talk = locked threads.
Quote from: Statler on June 19, 2011, 10:59:52 AM
technical tank talk = good for riding community.
ethanol political talk = locked threads.
Yeah, c'mon guys don't get my thread locked.
I started this topic because I wanted information on possible issues, including tank swelling, with the new monsters. I couldn't care less where the farmer's corn is going.
If the tank material hasn't been fixed yet than that answers that question. Does anyone else have any other problems or praises for the new monsters?
Then I really hate to point out the obvious, but there is a sticky at the top of this forum about your issue specifically. And, there's another thread that's coming in over 100 pages to date.
So . . . if you have any questions or concerns, you might see some that might have been answered. .
For the newer model Monsters, I honestly don't yet know. Perhaps because they haven't been in service as long. But if they are made of the same material. Well, you can hypothesize from there.
Quote from: hillbillypolack on June 19, 2011, 07:44:22 PM
Then I really hate to point out the obvious, but there is a sticky at the top of this forum about your issue specifically. And, there's another thread that's coming in over 100 pages to date.
So . . . if you have any questions or concerns, you might see some that might have been answered. .
For the newer model Monsters, I honestly don't yet know. Perhaps because they haven't been in service as long. But if they are made of the same material. Well, you can hypothesize from there.
I'm already aware of the "plastic tank problems" thread.
And the "new" monsters have been in service for 3 years already, plenty of time for things to go wrong if they're gonna.
With respect to the tank, I don't see crazy swelling like some of the posts in the other tank threads. What I've noticed is that it's slightly left of center and just beneath the top tank piece, I see some exposed edges of the tank panels right below the circular portion of that top tank piece. Hard to describe, I'll take pix later. I am going to the dealer today to have a quick check up will report back what I hear.
Other than that the performs awesome mechanically and looks amazing, the tank shouldn't stop you from buying, IMHO.
Raux, did u ever get that off centered tank fixed?..
Quote from: iRam on June 28, 2011, 01:36:50 PM
Raux, did u ever get that off centered tank fixed?..
haven't had a chance to pull it apart and check it out yet. sorry
I haven't fixed mine either. It's now touching the ignition slot. Just took it apart a while ago cause it's starting to scratch the plastic. [bang]
there area only the two mounting brackets on the side that align it. i'm sure it's an easy adjustment
Quote from: iRam on June 28, 2011, 03:23:14 PM
I haven't fixed mine either. It's now touching the ignition slot. Just took it apart a while ago cause it's starting to scratch the plastic. [bang]
The "fix" for that is to move the hinge further back in the frame. You might have to drill some holes in the plate, that's what some dealers were doing before anyone admitted there was a problem.
Alternatively, drain the tank, wash it out with some Caswell's cleaner (water based) then get a hair dryer with a 'no heat' setting and stick it in the filler for a few days. It will shrink.