Alright, new to Ducati, last bike was a Triumph Daytona 675. So I purchased a 2011 848 EVO. I absolutely love the bike, minus the complete SHIT tank. Can't believe an esteemed organization would use this plastic tank over aluminum. (I know about the aluminum tank...I wish I could spend $2,300 bucks).
I've done plenty of research and keep finding the same information in every thread regarding tank expansion and over pressure from the ethanol.
Here's my problem...and I just simply want to find the best/cheapest way to fix this issue.
The bike is frost white, the gas had leaked out of the fuel cap and onto the tank and completely ruined the paint, stained it, looks horrible. There's also some tank expansion, touching the damper mount.
Step 1 for me is to find ethanol free stations here on Oahu, HI. However, now, I still have a like-new beautiful bike with one ugly ass stained tank.
Solutions: is there actually any cost friendly solution for this? I took it to the dealer, said no-help because no warranty anymore, and no recall because "it's only a problem in the US". Really? WTF. Didn't Duc get sued for this?
So...
Is there any realistic option for me to fix this issue. I've considered wrapping satin pearl 3M vinyl on the tank, and replacing the cap and running ethanol free gas from then on...but I don't know if the satin pearl 3m vinyl will be a color match to wrap the tank, should arrive in a few days.
Anyone, anything...ANY solutions? I just want to get to the bottom of this...I have done tons of forum searches and had no luck. I really can't believe that there's "no recall" on this, or so the guy at the dealer said...but he also tried to convince me that "it's just a shell, not a fuel cell"...well, why the hell would a shell experience tank expansion?
I'm sure plenty have the answer to this, but I just can't find useful forums, so I greatly appreciate any to-the-point assistance.
Thanks!
-Michael
2011 Ducati 848 EVO (satin frost white, red wheels)
I've done plenty of research and keep finding the same information in every thread regarding tank expansion and over pressure from the ethanol.
Here's my problem...and I just simply want to find the best/cheapest way to fix this issue.
The bike is frost white, the gas had leaked out of the fuel cap and onto the tank and completely ruined the paint, stained it, looks horrible. There's also some tank expansion, touching the damper mount.
Step 1 for me is to find ethanol free stations here on Oahu, HI. However, now, I still have a like-new beautiful bike with one ugly ass stained tank.
Solutions: is there actually any cost friendly solution for this? I took it to the dealer, said no-help because no warranty anymore, and no recall because "it's only a problem in the US". Really? WTF. Didn't Duc get sued for this?
So...
Is there any realistic option for me to fix this issue. I've considered wrapping satin pearl 3M vinyl on the tank, and replacing the cap and running ethanol free gas from then on...but I don't know if the satin pearl 3m vinyl will be a color match to wrap the tank, should arrive in a few days.
Anyone, anything...ANY solutions? I just want to get to the bottom of this...I have done tons of forum searches and had no luck. I really can't believe that there's "no recall" on this, or so the guy at the dealer said...but he also tried to convince me that "it's just a shell, not a fuel cell"...well, why the hell would a shell experience tank expansion?
I'm sure plenty have the answer to this, but I just can't find useful forums, so I greatly appreciate any to-the-point assistance.
Thanks!
-Michael
2011 Ducati 848 EVO (satin frost white, red wheels)