WHY WON'T THEY LEAVE HER ALONE?!!! (The Tangerine Dream HIT AND RUN AGAIN)

[MsTek]

In case anyone care where I am with this winter project.


-Tank was ordered and is sitting at the shop waiting for me to get info if I can send it out to get coated.
- Once I get that sorted, I'm having the triple tree and swingarm removed so I can get them ceramic coated or powder coated black.  (remember, I want the tangerine to POP more on the bike).
- I still need them to do the new chain/crank at the shop.
- I have new handlebars in my garage that I need to give to the shop to drill/put on bike
- I have the black belt covers in my garage.  Not sure if that is something I can do or I need to give to the shop.
- Ordering levers today.
- Need to order footpeg


There are other things that need to happen that I forgot.. I need to go take a look at the bike to see where I am.  In the meantime, that stupid BMW has developed a new problem.   Sucks not having a steady job!!!!

[koko64]

Nearly there. Cool.
I forgot if your bars are black or metal colour. Thinking about the pop effect of the tank you mentioned. I get your passion for your bike. I was once without a bike for six months and the world wasn't right.
What other bits and pieces do you need?

[MsTek]

Nearly there. Cool.
I forgot if your bars are black or metal colour. Thinking about the pop effect of the tank you mentioned. I get your passion for your bike. I was once without a bike for six months and the world wasn't right.
What other bits and pieces do you need?

Silver bars.  Ordered black.

That's why I need to drive out there and take a look at the bike myself. I think they're telling me I need some parts that I don't really need.

I'm a technophile.  I asked earlier about replacing the light with an LED bulb but I was told no.  I wish I could things on it so when I save up to get this  (http://www.skully.com/store), I can have a readout of how my bike is doing... and also see it on my phone.

[MsTek]

So it looks like I am screwed.

1.  I am unemployed AGAIN (make the beast with two backs IT in the US- all the work is in India now... and they cancel contracts left and right with no notice. I have no idea what job stability or security means anymore).
2.  The person that was suggested to me to do the Casewell on the new tank didn't get back to me so I just assumed he didn't want to do even though I was going to pay him.
3.  I asked the shop to do it.  They tried it on one of their spare tanks and it didn't work or something.  Now they want to charge me to try to do it again. Meanwhile I have two tanks, one warped, one new and $2k to my name on this earth.  That's it.  I need that bike because its how I get around and its cheaper than a car. I don't have cash to throw at it.  I am a bit confused as to what went wrong with the caswell.  I need to put $500 that I don't have to swap the chain and sprocket for it to be safe.  I can't afford to do that, much less another $75 in service work.  No I don't have the tools, know how or friends to change the sproket out for me.

I have no idea what to do at this point... if I should just say "look, I'll tow the bike out of there (yay! $250 for that!)" with no tank on it because I can't bear to put the new tank on that I paid full price for when I had a job that I KNOW Is going to go bad again if its not treated.

Maybe I should have just sold the bike.    I love that bike but she gets hit parked all the time, I can't keep a job, I feel like maybe I've gotten to the point I'm throwing good money after bad.  I don't think I should put that tank on if it isn't treated.  I don't know how to treat the damn tank myself. 

I am beyond frustrated with life at the moment.

[stopintime]

If you can, ride it with the warped tank for now.

Store, or even sell, the new tank.

New chain and rear sprocket, 250 from MonsterParts. Are you sure you need a new sprocket or is it the normal "change both sprockets and chain at the same time"? If it's just the chain - it's 100 and a half hour job at any shop.

Sorry to hear about the job situation.

[MsTek]

I'm scared to sell the tank because its not like they're making new ones.  But I don't know what to do with it if its not coated.  I can't get under the seat anymore with the old one and the paint is chipping off because its warping.

And the bike is a 2006- never had sprocket/chain changed.  might be time?  I don't know how long it takes to wear- I know you have to do it on bicycles from time to time.

And thank you- it just sucks in the US now when it comes to work and people don't really want to see it or admit what is going on. Its... scary.

[stopintime]

Selling the tank is not sensible, but it could free up some cash.

Chain could theoretically be ok, but more likely needs to be changed.

[Howie]

Chain life varies, easiest way to determine if you need a chain and sprockets:
      Broken O rings.
      Frozen links.
      Sprocket teeth that look like shark's teeth, or missing.
      You can pull the chain away from the rear sprocket exposing more than half a tooth.
      Needs adjustment every few hundred miles.
      Constant reappearing fine brown rust. 

Excessive wear for the anally compulsive:
       If the length of 16 links is longer than 256.5 mm change the chain.  I don't know of anyone who does this.

[Charlie98]

And thank you- it just sucks in the US now when it comes to work and people don't really want to see it or admit what is going on. Its... scary.

Not to kick you when you are down... a relocation may be necessary.  There are businesses pouring into Texas, and specifically the north Dallas area.  The good news there is... at least the motorcycle riding season is longer down here!

[MsTek]

Chain life varies, easiest way to determine if you need a chain and sprockets:
      Broken O rings.
      Frozen links.
      Sprocket teeth that look like shark's teeth, or missing.
      You can pull the chain away from the rear sprocket exposing more than half a tooth.
      Needs adjustment every few hundred miles.
      Constant reappearing fine brown rust. 

Excessive wear for the anally compulsive:
       If the length of 16 links is longer than 256.5 mm change the chain.  I don't know of anyone who does this.

I Know the chain is bad... it has parts that are stretched out.  The shop and a guy I know said the sprocket is bad too. I can keep riding it but wouldn't recommend.  I can ask if we can just do the chain for now and will that buy me a little time.

I just have no clue what to do about the tank. I don't want to keep giving this guy money if he can't do it right.  If I knew then what I know know, as much as I love that bike, maybe I should have sold it an tried to get another one.  But considering my work situation, I feel I won't ever be able to afford anything at all again since I can't get stable.

I am looking at Texas and Seattle.  I don't HAVE money to relocate.. lol.  I was trying to see if maybe I could figure out a way to get a job there, rent a cheap studio, send my money back to chicago for my apartment here which I LOVE and hopefully in a year or so, things are a little bit better and I can go home.  I don't think Texas is going to be very friendly to my "type" but I gotta pay bills so if I have to cover up and shut up for a year, I can try.

I also think things are kinda in a holding pattern because of the election coming up. Chicago sucks in general but the times I've been through this before I say was the worse but then it gets worse.  Indeed used to shove 40+ jobs daily to me.  I'm getting 3, if that.  So bizarre!

[Howie]

Well, sorry to hear the chain is gone and the rear sprocket on that bike is costly.  I can't blame you for not wanting to use the tank without it being properly coated, and yeah, find a different shop to do it.  Are you willing to mail the tank?

An alternative might be to store the Duc for now and get maybe a Ninja 500 or something like that for a beater commuter.

As far as work goes, IT ain't my field nor do I have a clue about the Chicago job market, but I do know what someone here did.   Started a business catering to clients to small to have an IT person or hire the big guys.  His employees were out of work IT people.  Worked for him.  Just a (possibly lame) idea.

Also, post here if you haven't already.  You might get some local help, who knows? 

[SpikeC]

It seems to me that there should be plenty of Monster owners in that area that would be happy to assist a damsel in distress. If you were in my area I would be happy to bring some tools to your place and help you change out the chain and sprockets, it is not a difficult job, it just needs a few tools. People on the ADV riders forum seem to be willing to help one another......

[MsTek]

I can't afford the chain and sprocket right now either.  I just don't have it even if I knew someone to change it out.  I am wondering if I can get by with  just a new chain.

I will call the shop tomorrow- see what we can do about putting keeping the old tank on. I was given some phone numbers today by a nice member that are shops that have expereince with Caswell but I am sure its going to cost. I'm going to have to get the new tank over a shop that can do it, then take it back to the ducati shop and have them put it on the bike...

At least I have a new tank in a box.  But I absolutely cannot condone after spending over a grand on that tank slap it on the bike when I know what is going to happen without it treated.  I would be a bigger dumbass than I already am.

[S21FOLGORE]

Here are a few things you can try.

About the chain and sprocket condition.

Without seeing them, It is hard (if not impossible) to say if you can get by just the new chain, or how long / far you can keep riding on the chain & sprockets you have on your bike now.
If you can post the close up photos of your chain and sprockets, (or, even better if you can put the bike up on the stand and take video clip while rotating the rear wheel by hand) it may help. At least, it gives us some idea about the condition of the chain and sprocket.

You need to take photos something like these.




And, video clip like this ?



BTW, this is what’s gonna happen when the drive chain snaps. We don’t want this happens to you ...

ZX6r Chain "Breaks" at 80mph


About the tank installation and doing the chain / sprocket work.

Probably you should post on the local club board, and ask for mechanical work assistance.
You will need someone who can help you in your area.
(Like SpikeC, I would gladly help you work on your S2R if you were in SF bay area ...)

You can also join ADVrider forum, and ask help in their regional forum.
ADVrider forum is much, much bigger than Ducati Monster Forum. Your post will be read by wider range of audience.

[Howie]

Chain failure can be much worse.