that Old Tangerine Dream (problem bike these days... :( )

[MsTek]

I probably wouldn't bother that shop much more...

May I suggest taking on the challenges one by one? You don't have to decide the whole saga now - lighten the load by finishing the first chapter before thinking much about the next.

For example......
1. find a good shop or an 'expert' to guide you (yes, you can)
2. charge or replace battery (charge is 'free'. New battery maybe as little as $ 50-60) 
3. find and fix the broken wire/connector (with a raised tank, it should be 'easy')
WOHOOO running bike and lots of options
4. plan to remove, drain, clean the tank and have it shrink back towards 'normal' over the winter (lets you 'forget' about caswell bla bla for now)
5. consider tank replacement and coating IF yours don't shrink enough (new year, new situation)
6. next fix
7. next fix
a.s.o.

I HAVE a new tank in a box in my garage- I got it before I lost my job the last time- when I had a job that actually paid me money.  It's the right color and everything (I think that cost me $1200).  It just needs to go to a motorsports shop to get caswelled (that's not a word but I made it one!)

I'm broke until next Thursday so I can't pick up the bike and the important thing is this:

I NEED the bike now due to giving motorcycle lessons (for free of course because that's how I am- stupid   ). The chick is ready to ride soon. I can't help her if I don't ride along... she doesn't' know anyone else who does ride.  So I don't have much time- I don't have much time in general because I work full time, train people pro-bono in fitness and also train myself.  I wasn't expecting this at all...   Just to get the bike out and tow it back home total now is going to be around $500.  I still need to tow it back from the shop.  They're probably going to charge me storage fee for the next few days because I can't do anything about it until Thursday.

Anyone want to hire me to do some computer tech support or website help on the side? :p

[MsTek]

BTW... I REALLY DO APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S KINDNESS AND HELP.

You guys have always done right by me.  Always.

[stopintime]

You're welcome 

To save a little and keep the momentum up, search around, facebook/forums/yellow pages/where ever, for a good shop or independent mechanic and have it towed there instead of home. It doesn't have to be a Ducati specialist, maybe not even a bike place - as long as they have the right attitude they'll find out what's wrong and fix it. All they really need to know is that the battery might be weak and that the fuelpump works when the wires are wiggled.

Finding a friendly and positive place is your homework for the weekend 

[ducpainter]

Chances are she has the bad connection issue in the fuel pump flange that is common to those bikes. A search will show the various fixes.

IIRC it can be done with no parts...just some epoxy and a soldering iron/gun.

Like Lars said, a battery is 50-60 bucks.

Caswell coating is another thing that can be a DIY, but there are some chemicals involved. Tough to do without a workspace.

[Howie]

Chances are she has the bad connection issue in the fuel pump flange that is common to those bikes. A search will show the various fixes.

IIRC it can be done with no parts...just some epoxy and a soldering iron/gun.

Like Lars said, a battery is 50-60 bucks.

Caswell coating is another thing that can be a DIY, but there are some chemicals involved. Tough to do without a workspace.

The flange repair ducpainter is talking about is something shops would not like to do.  Time has to be billed and the job warranted.  The tank does not need to be removed to remove the flange. 

[DesmoDiva]

I think I will have to pay them for what they have done, tow it back and post the bike for sale.

Sorry to hear about your bike.

Personally,  I wouldn't let them touch it anymore.  Have it towed back to your house until you figure out what your going to do, fix or sell.

If possible, pay the shop with a credit card, then you can dipute the charges as the shop was not able to figure out what was wrong, unwilling to try your suggestions.

I got screwed by a shop years back, not my normal shop,  and have regretted not disputing the charges ever since.

And I think you are underestimating your abilities. Read your own tag line.

Good luck.

[Howie]

Good point about the credit card  

Stupid O is giving problems on my keyboard 

[GK]

Sorry to hear about your problem but the folk here are full of great advice and support.

I agree that this challenge is the op to learn a new skill set.

Those here will talk/guide you through it. Keep the bike and hang in there.

[booger]

Yeah keep the bike. I used to have an S2R800 and it was a very good motorcycle. The guy I sold it to in 2011 still texts me from time to time thanking me for taking such good care of it. I'd have it back in a heartbeat. Very little to go wrong and what does go wrong is easily fixed. You have a new tank that's like 9/10ths the problem with these bikes, the nylon fuel tanks. Drain the tank & get to work on that fp repair. It's not going to suck that much trust me. Doing brakes on an Audi Q5 that's off warranty sucks. Working on an S2R is like therapy.

[MsTek]

So... the bike is on its way being towed back to me as I type this.

I don't know when I am going to have the time.

I don't have a lift.

I have no idea what I am doing.

But I will need your help if you are willing... I will do the work myself. 

In the meantime, I need to ride behind my friend in a car so she can finally take her bike in the street because I have no idea when, if ever, I'll be on two wheels again.   But I couldn't justify $1800.  I may as well get a new bike.... if I could afford it.

Thanks again.

[MsTek]

OMG... I am going to post video for you later.  I am SO PISSED!!!!!!!

[MsTek]

Note:

I don't have a lift for the bike.  I have basic tools.

[stopintime]

That's good news. MsTek 1 - 'shop' 0

As discussed, the fuel pump works, so if it stalls or has been - it's most likely the wiring.

Take off the seat. If you can't lift the tank, remove the hinge pin (you'll see it when the seat is off) and slide the tank back just a little. That will allow you to unhinge the latch in front of the tank. With the latch open, tilt the tank enough to slide it forward again and insert the hinge pin. Now you have a tilting tank and access to wires and connectors. If the tank is not more than half full, you can tilt it all the way back and let it rest on a blanket.

Do a visual check of the wires coming out of the tank (through the fuel pump flange). Are they loose? Are they discolored? Is the black plastic connector dirty/wet/corroded inside?

Let's start there.

[stopintime]

The filter is leaking a little. Clean it and try to tighten by hand with a damp rag to give you a good grip. If that doesn't work - drop by any shop and ask if the can tighten it a little. Or just leave it for now.

The turn signal. Do you have duct tape? Couple of very tight rounds will 'fix' this for now.

Fixing the seat cover. Later.

[MsTek]

That's good news. MsTek 1 - 'shop' 0

As discussed, the fuel pump works, so if it stalls or has been - it's most likely the wiring.

Take off the seat. If you can't lift the tank, remove the hinge pin (you'll see it when the seat is off) and slide the tank back just a little. That will allow you to unhinge the latch in front of the tank. With the latch open, tilt the tank enough to slide it forward again and insert the hinge pin. Now you have a tilting tank and access to wires and connectors. If the tank is not more than half full, you can tilt it all the way back and let it rest on a blanket.

Do a visual check of the wires coming out of the tank (through the fuel pump flange). Are they loose? Are they discolored? Is the black plastic connector dirty/wet/corroded inside?

Let's start there.

Not sure how full the tank is... I might be able to figure out tonight.

I have decided to ask the girl who I am teaching how to ride to help me with this project as "payment".  LOL.  I need a second set of hand.

Say the tank has fuel.  How do I drain it?

And I ordered the lights you told me to.  They should get here next week.  I won't have that bike fixed by next week as I said, I'm super busy and I have a Mauy Thai team that I am coaching that is going to Des Moines for a tournament next week that I am going with.  But I will try to get some answers this weekend. I will see if I can get the tank up at least but the problem is  I have to move that bike in and out of the garage since her bike is in there and the only way we both fit if if my bike is last.  Once the tank comes off, its off- I can't do it by myself.  Its really messed up.