Ducati Monster Forum

Hi DMFers.

~Update #4 So I recieved my PO from Dave for my alloy tank, and I am in the waiting game. Once the tank arrives I will put some pics here so y'all can check it out. I have a few questions, and I have tacked them to the end of this thread. These may belong in the tech section, so let me know if I should start a new thread over there.

Price: We found 3 people, so it was $1990 shipped to CA.
Finish: Dave's comment below

"Only mill finish because I would not be comfortable doing the sanding necessary to polish it and I would advise against it. On this particular tank I start with .065 thickness and in a couple areas it ends up .037 to .040. Anything under .040 is trouble if we start removing material. "
 

Thanks,

John

1.  Is that the lowest he can go for a group buy?
2.  What pump/filter mount will he use?

Ducatiz,

Q1
I don't know if that is as low as he CAN go for a group buy, just that this is the price break for going from 1 tank to 3. I don't really want to go much beyond 3 people, or try to exert downward pressure on the price, since the more people and money involved, the more likely it is to fall apart. I assume Dave can't achieve much economy of scale, since he is hand making these. If I manage to find 2 or 5 buying partners, I will pull the trigger. If not I will, at some point, pay full price.

Q2
My goal is to have a replica of my factory S2R tank, with respect to the round pump/filter flange, and to use my stock filler cap. So this purchase would need to be 2008 S2R compatible. I know that means it will fit other years, and maybe models, but I bet you have a better understanding of which bikes than I do.

He has made the S4R (oval flange) bottom previously, so I assume a separate individual or group buy could be arranged for S4R owners.

HTH

Plastic tanks started on the S2R, but they're not exclusive to that model.
Perhaps "plastic tank owners" in the title instead of "S2R owners".

I strongly advise against applying any downwards pressure on the price.
Depending on his character, he may respond with a polite refusal, or a "make the beast with two backs off get out of my shop".
Counterproductive at best.
If you can gather at least 5 committed orders, then you could broach the subject.

He may be willing to do two round-flange and one oval-flange, for example.
That would be worth asking him about.

If the tank will work with an s4rs, I am definitely in.

Speeddog,

I would normally not try to negotiate much with highly-skilled, independent, professional types. I know first-hand how much time and effort goes into building a specialized skillset, and running a business. Dave is a legit artist/craftsman. http://www.whitesmithstudio.com/ (http://www.whitesmithstudio.com/) is his art page and Bio. Based on what I see on his motorcycle page, he makes really nice stuff, in small batches, for a niche community.

MAXdB,

I will ask if he can do a mixed run, at the lower price. From what I know, he will make the same top half, with a different bottom half (round vs oval fuel flange). You may want to confirm in the various tank compatibility threads, if your specific year / model has any other differences besides the fuel flange.

AFAIK:

S4Rs and S4Rt have their own unique bottom shape due to the size of the 998 engine, thus the small oval flange.

All 2-valve 2nd and 3rd gen Monsters with plastic tanks (S2R800, S2R1000, M620, M695) have the same bottom shape, and large round flange.

So is it safe to say there are only 2 plastic tanks? (Round and oval flange)

AFAIK:

There's 3 different part numbers of plastic tanks:

58610441.XX > '05-'08 M620, S2R800, S2R1000 (Shows also '04 M800s, I don't think those came to the USA)

58610451.XX > '07-'08 M400, M695 (Shows also '07 S2R800)

58610631.XX > '06-'08 S4Rs, S4Rt

--------------------------------------------------

I've not noticed any configuration differences between S2R800 and M695 that would necessitate a different tank.
Externally, the engines are identical.
All of the electrics, battery, airbox and such under the tank is the same stuff.
Frame differences are nowhere near the tank.

Perhaps the 451 is a different vendor, or material, or processing or ???

Speeddog,

Thanks for the part numbers.

MaxdB,

Dave confirmed he will do a mixed run, at the discounted price. I still have a few questions outstanding, so I will update you when I hear back re: shipping, finishes, etc.

Chipripper, 

Thanks for the update.  Looking forward to hearing back, and really hoping I can finally get an acceptable solution for this issue!

MaxDb. Dave emailed me this morning, and said he has a committed buyer for a monster tank. So you and I would make a run of 3. If you still want to move forward let me know, and we can start to coordinate the details.

I still have outstanding, a request for shipping estimate to 91942.

Definitely still interested!  PM sent.

Questions!

My tank is on the way, and I am trying to decide what to do about paint, lining, and the tail section. So here are a few questions:

Should I line the tank? What would you do?

My best info is to not use a hard epoxy on a metal tank, since the metal expands and contracts, which will cause the epoxy to crack. Dave says no coating is needed on aluminum, but recommends RedCoat for its relative flexibility if I choose to coat.

Paint: I would really love a black stripe / black ducati logo, with clearcoat over the aluminum. My current color scheme is black with white stripe. To keep a "factory" look, I would like to get an aluminum tail cowl made, so I can have a matching tank / cowl. But of course this is more $$. So, recommendations / wild ideas currently being accepted for paint.

Any photos??