'07 S4RS first issue with tank expansion. What to do?

[dbran1949]

Well I just ran into my first problem with tank expansion. I haven't ridden the bike in 2 months traveling for work. Decided to do a battery charge before I cleaned the bike up. I couldn't unlatch the tank because the front of the tank was jammed right up against the ignition key housing. I had to pull the pin out of the hinge to get the tank up. It already looks like the rear hinge is as far back as it goes. (probably moved during my last service, who knows)

Can the ignition switch housing be moved forward at all? Any other suggestions?

Thanks
Dan

[The Bearded Duc]

Check this out, it might help.

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

Also, I think the ignition housing is non-movable. If the bike is under warranty you might be able to get a new tank from the dealer.

[dbran1949]

Thanks for the link - bike has been out of warranty period for a while now

[Uncle Mofo]

Thanks for the link - bike has been out of warranty period for a while now

The fuel tank is replaced under the emission warranty.. 5 years.

[dbran1949]

Thanks this is good news  I'll get it in to GP ASAP

[booger]

try and get a new tank - but is it possible to elongate the slots at the rear hinge bolts to relieve things?

[lwszabo]

The fuel tank is replaced under the emission warranty.. 5 years.

then what happens...you spend $1800 every few years?

[Uncle Mofo]

then what happens...you spend $1800 every few years?

I don't know yet. I'm on my second tank and this one just started deforming after a year. I'm going to the dealer soon to make another claim, I will also call TJ at DNA. See what they say.  If it's the case I guess start looking for an aftermarket replacement. wasn't Chris Kelley working on a fuel cell tank? 

Edit: I guess this could be an option unless Ducati resolves the issue once for all
http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/shop/catalog/ducati/fuel.html

[Bill in OKC]

It appears to be an ethanol issue.  So maybe there are some things that could be done.  If possible, use real gas instead of e10?  Drain your tank if the bike is going to sit for longer than a couple of weeks?  Would Stabil do anything to keep the ethanol in suspension - and keep it from damaging the tank?  I don't know.  I wonder if emptying the tank and letting it dry out might let the tank shrink back closer to its original shape?  Maybe as part of Winter preventative maintenance, drain and air out the tank over the winter / let it sit empty over Winter?  It is a long-term issue and unless new tanks are made of a different material, they will expand too.  I don't feel like budgeting for a new tank every few years.

edit:  I'm restoring an old GT550 Suzuki and bought a pint of Hirsch tank liner to coat the rusty tank.  It is supposed to be able to stand up to ethanol, so maybe coating the S4Rs tank with it would be a way to prevent it from expanding?

[The Bearded Duc]

I think the old steel carbie tanks fit on 2002+ FI bikes.

[Bill in OKC]

That would be cool.  I guess you would need an external pump and filter, but my Moto Guzzi 1100 Sport was like that and I liked the easy service aspect (not to mention the no-swelling thing).  I've got room under the tank for pump/filter without the airbox and I hear the steel tanks carry more fuel.

[dbran1949]

I don't know yet. I'm on my second tank and this one just started deforming after a year. I'm going to the dealer soon to make another claim, I will also call TJ at DNA. See what they say.  If it's the case I guess start looking for an aftermarket replacement. wasn't Chris Kelley working on a fuel cell tank?  

Edit: I guess this could be an option unless Ducati resolves the issue once for all
http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/shop/catalog/ducati/fuel.html

I went to see Chris at his old shop a year ago. Notice he calls these Track tanks. Chris is an absolute perfectionist. He was manually polishing the mold for this tank. Because the tanks can't be painted they accurately reproduce every microscopic bump in the mold. That said the tanks look fantastic. One caveat is at the time (and I haven't checked back in over a year) the tanks would not accept the fuel pumps from the S4RS

[dbran1949]

It appears to be an ethanol issue.  

Dammit ethanol is for drinking  , why won't people listen

[Uncle Mofo]

I went to see Chris at his old shop a year ago. Notice he calls these Track tanks. Chris is an absolute perfectionist. He was manually polishing the mold for this tank. Because the tanks can't be painted they accurately reproduce every microscopic bump in the mold. That said the tanks look fantastic. One caveat is at the time (and I haven't checked back in over a year) the tanks would not accept the fuel pumps from the S4RS

Bummer I need to contact him and ask. 

[The Bearded Duc]

That would be cool.  I guess you would need an external pump and filter, but my Moto Guzzi 1100 Sport was like that and I liked the easy service aspect (not to mention the no-swelling thing).  I've got room under the tank for pump/filter without the airbox and I hear the steel tanks carry more fuel.

Yeah, there both external. There are some definite perks, no swelling and slightly more fuel (4.3 gallons I think). And you can score one on the dreaded Ebay for a couple hundred. I think I remember seeing a couple here not too long ago.