Judging S2R tanks on eBay

[Eric@S2R8]

Gentlemen,

I'm a long time rider, but new to Ducatis.  I bought a 2006 S2R 800 last summer, and not riding much this winter, the tank grew 1/4" closer to the ignition switch.

I'm eyeing tanks on eBay, figuring I could have a spare to dry out while riding the other.  Is this a good plan?

One issue is, how can I tell whether the tank online is better than mine.  One of the sellers is not too far away, and perhaps I could take a measurement, though I'm not yet clear what to measure.  What say you?  Here are a couple candidates.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/201126508732?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/182028971391?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Just for the heck of it, I wrote to each and asked if the tank was swollen.  Both replied that they were not.  Not that I'm trusting, of course.  I don't expect anyone to tell me that a tank is good, based upon an eBay picture.  I've read a few of the treads on plastic tanks, ugh...

[koko64]

I would measure your tank point to point and get them to measure their tank with a pic from the same point to point. A pic of this with the tanks in question should show the tanks with a slightly smaller measurement. If they're not willing to do this then you know. Or some such method.
I got trust issues too.

[Eric@S2R8]

Thanks koko64! Sounds logical. Not that I trust you 
Damn ethanol.  Well, if the tank explodes and I'm blown to bits, at least I was riding when it happened.

[Speeddog]

I measured a couple of plastic tanks, not sure where I've got the numbers, I'll look.

[koko64]

 

[ducatiz]

You need to read up more on the tank swelling issue.

A swollen tank will shrink back after it has been dried.  Replacing your tank with another one presumably just like it will just result in the same ending.

Coating the tank helps a lot.  I started coating tanks several years ago and have had no more issues.  The main issue with coating the tank is prep -- which means cleansing the gas residue and preparing the surface for hte coating.

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=25074.0

howto for coating
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=64897.0

[koko64]

Prep one tank and swap, then prep the other.

[Eric@S2R8]

  No doubt you are right, ducatiz.  Threads on nylon tank options are not the funnest reading, but apparently necessary.

I'm hoping I can ride 'till November, and dry it out inside over the winter.  I may have to figure out how take the tank off with the latch wedged, presumably doable (I'm not currently near the bike).  Probably one of those adjustable mount brackets will be in my future.

Thanks guys

[ducatiz]

There is a hinge under the seat.  Try loose ingredients the screws that hold it to the frame.  You can get as much as 3-4 mm
 
If it is wedged in, that's how you get it off.  Loosen the hinge screws and then move it back to remove the buckle

[drval85]

I have 4 tanks.  3 from eBay, 1 is an uncoated dealer replacement about 3 years old.  I swap every 2 months or so.  The eBay tanks are not noticeably larger than the dealer one.  None of them press against the latch.   So I think if they have enough  time to dry, they stay close enough  to original size to be perfectly serviceable.

[ducatiz]

I have 4 tanks.  3 from eBay, 1 is an uncoated dealer replacement about 3 years old.  I swap every 2 months or so.  The eBay tanks are not noticeably larger than the dealer one.  None of them press against the latch.   So I think if they have enough  time to dry, they stay close enough  to original size to be perfectly serviceable.

All of the tanks I've dried have returned to original spec.

I've measured brand new tanks out of the box and compare to efi metal tanks (mounts) and found as much as 5mm of width variation.  That's why the front bumpers are adjustable

[stopintime]

I measured a couple of plastic tanks, not sure where I've got the numbers, I'll look.

I got these from you....

*********************


I've got one steel tank of known virgin condition, never crashed or otherwise molested.
From my '02 S4, bought new.

Measured laterally center to center on both sets of pad mounting holes:
287mm
286mm

Length from 'crotch' at the front to the pivot hole center at the back:
565mm 'X' and 79mm 'Y'= 570.5mm

It sits properly on the frame, pads centered on the tubes.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Red and white plastic tank; roughly 5.5mm wider and 4mm shorter
293mm
291mm
561mm 'X' and 79mm 'Y'= 566.5mm

Not surprisingly, it sits on the frame with the pads about 5mm too far apart.....
Checked it on two frames.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Black Plastic tank; roughly 9mm wider and 2mm longer
297mm
294mm
566mm 'X' and 86mm 'Y'= 572.5mm

I didn't bother to check fitment, at 9mm wider it's going to be bad.