Ducati Monster Forum

Found a hole in my Boom Tubes today where my chain was rubbing against the pipe. Very bummed...   :-\   I've emailed Mark at Boom Tubes but he's at Bonneville Salt Flats all week. Thought I'd run this past the forum to see what the consensus is. Can I get a weld patch on this? Obviously I need to examine the positioning to make sure there's enough clearance between the change and the pipe. Soooo Bummed... I love my Boom Tubes. Please Help with ideas on how to address this.

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7388/9500531456_75af9cb0a2.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/65036619@N04/9500531456/)
photo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/65036619@N04/9500531456/#) by ricknieto (http://www.flickr.com/people/65036619@N04/), on Flickr

Sure, that can be patched.

And yes, gotta work out why the chain is eating it first.

Year and model of Monster?

Aren't Boom Tubes ceramic coated usually?   Does that effect the weld-ability?

I wouldn't be keen to patch (other than as a make-do).  Wait to see what Mark has to say...............

2005 620

How did you just notice that? That had to take some time to eat through the steel to that extent.  No offence sir but there is good reason to always do a quick pre-ride visual inspection...you would have caught this long before it was a hole. 

Wrist slapping aside, though a good point Trooper, does the chain have excessive lash?
It doesnt look like it but I figured I'd touch that base anyway.

I fail to see the problem. Your boom tubes just got boomier.

That's the bottom strand of chain so to see that hole you need to be that low looking up at it from that angle. Standing next to the bike you dont see that hole. My pre-ride checks typically consist of tire pressure and oil levels not getting down on the ground and looking up at my chain from ground level. (maybe for now on it will though). I need to re-examine the positioning of the pipe as it comes down and make sure that a little chain slack doesnt risk this happening again. I'm still looking for a way to fix these pipes. Obviously the main guy I want to talk to is Mark at Motocreations when he gets back from Bonneville. He's always been great to deal with so at least I'm dealing with someone I trust here. I just want to get them fixed as they are my favorite mod thus far.

is the front sprocket lock plate ok?

+1

Front Sprocket Lock Plate is solid & tight. No play in the front sprocket at all.

:D

Is this just a case of loose chain + rider compressing the suspension to that spot?

I run all my chains loose, like really loose.  I never had an issue like that on any Ducati I've had, or my 950smr ktm.  My 450ktm supermoto though, that bike has a hungry chain.  Tires, chain guard, etc.

slight change of subject, but how easy do you think it would be for a shop that makes custom exhausts to copy boomtubes? they don't seem to have that many bends, and the price is rather high.

Before Mark started making Boomtubes I had a set similar in design made for my old S2R800D. Cost me about $500...

I'm all for supporting small businesses that are a part of the community, but to call a few bends in a pipe a knock-off seems a bit rich. I think it's certainly a savvy business model (no hassle, other community members who can attest to quality, customization options). However, bending pipe to make exhausts is something many businesses do in much more complex shapes (and have for a while). Like most things Ducati though, there is market for people willing to spend extra for a  product marketed directly at them.

As a 23 year-old who could not afford a new Ducati, but who through scavenging parts online, doing all his own service and taking the road less travelled for most mods, I get really frustrated by massive markups for the same product on a Japanese bike. Don't get me wrong, I'm also against cheaply modified Ducatis, plastic parts and other hack jobs, but I don't see why a clutch cover or license plate bracket costs nearly $200 for my bike.

Anyway, for all those who might resent this post, sorry. I'd much rather have the resources to bling out my bike for twice price. Bitterness is the price I pay for taking this approach.

You have to consider that the Japanese bikes have a larger market, higher production numbers to deal with so the parts can be cheaper for the consumer because they know they'll be able to sell a alot.