Plastic Tank problems: Discussion thread, see info thread sticky for updates

[Jim H]

Hello,

The following is a post dedicated to nylon fuel tanks, I've been working on this for just over a year. Due to the size of the post, please refer to the original source:

http://www.superduke.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=22369

Many Thanks

Jim

[ducatiz]

Hello,

The following is a post dedicated to nylon fuel tanks, I've been working on this for just over a year. Due to the size of the post, please refer to the original source:

http://www.superduke.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=22369

Many Thanks

Jim

Excellent info.

Regarding the Caswell coating, I have it on my bike and it's going on 3 years now, no issues.  There are others around who had it applied at least a year or two before I did.

The main issue is prep.

I've even come to the conclusion from my research that scoring the interior of the tank is a good idea because it gives the coating a place to "hang".  Everything I've read shows this to be a good idea.  I don't know how to do that safely though. 

[jwoconnor]

Anyone tried a couple hand-fulls of sheet-metal screws in the tank then spin it in the drier for an hour (as a prep)?

[Desert Dust]

Anyone tried a couple hand-fulls of sheet-metal screws in the tank then spin it in the drier for an hour (as a prep)?

I heard about people having issues with the screws getting stuck in cracks & crevices.

I coated a brand new tank that had never had any fuel in it, and I didn't do anything except wipe out the dust. No issues so far.

I think Caswells recommends the screws for tanks that have been exposed to fuel, but they recommend shaking the tank. The dryer?? My dryer would ruin itself and / or the tank in about one minute. 

[jwoconnor]

The dryer?? My dryer would ruin itself and / or the tank in about one minute.  

You use thick foam around the tank to hold it in place with the drier on "fluff" (no heat).

[Heath]

I finally got a response from taking my bike in July to get the tank replaced. Ducati said NO! at least that is what the dealer is saying. They said since the bike is over 6 years old it is not covered. Correct me if I am wrong but from the settlement I understood it has I had 18 months to try to get my tank. I was under that deadline and they still denied me. help!

[twolanefun]

Did the dealer give you a jar of vaseline to go with the response? IMHO the dealer is not being very responsive I'd contact Ducati Customer Service directly. You can also use the winter months to let the tank dry out, coat it, put it on the bike and hope it holds. - Gene

[jwoconnor]

You can also use the winter months to let the tank dry out, coat it, put it on the bike and hope it holds. - Gene

That is the route I am taking. Screw Ducati, and their prick dealers.

[DLep]

I'm new here and still on the fence about whether to buy a Monster.

Does this issue affect the current Monster range?

[Curmudgeon]

I'm new here and still on the fence about whether to buy a Monster.

Does this issue affect the current Monster range?

You probably get European market tanks in Australia (PEX) rather than the PA-6 tanks which are mandated in the U.S. due to the U.S. EPA shed tests.

The new bikes also have skins over the tank which allow room for expansion. Can't recall reading any complaints so far but I might have missed one. The last time I visited my dealer, I asked whether he'd ever replaced any and he had replaced one tank due to the failure of a well nut cast into the tank but none from swelling.

How much E-10 fuel do you have down there? It's water attracted to the ethanol which causes polyethylene tanks to swell.

[koko64]

I'm new here and still on the fence about whether to buy a Monster.

Does this issue affect the current Monster range?

I would ask at Ozmonsters local board. C is probably right as we usually got EU models, but I'm not sure nowdays. Maybe Ungeheuer, Brad B or someonemight chime in.

[ungeheuer]

I can answer for Australia.  It's a non-issue. 

Our tanks (M659/696/796/1100) are Euro-spec, made from XLPE (aka PEX)... not the ethanol susceptible PA-6 Nylon tanks supplied to USA.

And even if we had nylon tanks, in Australia ethanol-laced fuel is easy to avoid.

(Although Peter Stevens in Ringwood VIC currently have a grey market used M696 for sale which was USA sourced...  ... So check for the ugly AUS mandated VIN plate riveted to the RHS frame tube - not a sticker).

[DLep]

Thanks ungeheuer, that's one concern addressed.

I now have to consider the small tank problem (most of my rides are between 200 and 300 kms), the heat problem and whether I could tour on a 696/796 once or twice a year. But I'll find more appropriate theads for those concerns.

[NAKID]

Brand new replacement tank has been coated, getting installed this afternoon. I'll post up later with the details.

[Desert Dust]

Thanks ungeheuer, that's one concern addressed.

I now have to consider the small tank problem (most of my rides are between 200 and 300 kms), the heat problem and whether I could tour on a 696/796 once or twice a year. But I'll find more appropriate theads for those concerns.

To address the heat issue, I have an S2R and I live in an area where it gets incredibly hot like Australia. One remedy for the heat would be to add another oil cooler. Moto Wheels has one for somewhere in the neighborhood of $500.00. I've ridden when it was 115 degrees Fahrenheit, but never for stretches longer than 20 miles. However, the engine temp. does not go up a great deal until I start hitting the stop lights. I've had it up to 251 degrees for a short time, but it goes down once I get rolling.


My recommendation- get the oil cooler or consider purchasing a water cooled machine if you plan on longer rides in the heat, and I've heard the Aussie sun can be ferocious.