Caswell coating in Boston area

[SwiftTone]

Ducati has approved gas tank replacement due to swelling on my SF1098S. I'd like to have it coated before it gets installed. The dealership has offered to do the coating themselves but I don't think they're experienced in doing the task.

Who in the Boston area specialize in this?

[scottieducati]

Literally you mix up some goop and put it in the tank, move it around so it coats everything. It ain't rocket science, just messy.

[NPDCPA]

Robbie Nigl at Peachpit. THE BEST, hands down. Tell him Nick D sent ya.

[SwiftTone]

Literally you mix up some goop and put it in the tank, move it around so it coats everything. It ain't rocket science, just messy.

Typically I prob would do it myself but I'm moving and time and space is limited now.

Robbie Nigl at Peachpit. THE BEST, hands down. Tell him Nick D sent ya.

How much does he charge?

[NPDCPA]

Typically I prob would do it myself but I'm moving and time and space is limited now.

How much does he charge?

Not sure. I had him do a few project parts for me and the overall total seemed reasonable so I don't have an itemized list. Give him a buzz and ask. He's super friendly and a straight shooter. Does your bike need a NEW look f

[Falko]

I did my last tank, it is messy and difficult to get good coverage. It goes in thick and dries quickly. Granted I had a fairly large tank but seemed to take forever to get it covered on everything.

[cdovego]

Thanks for asking, reminds me I need to do the same with the S4 tank.

Anyone know if an already lumpy tank can be shrunk back to nearly or like new? I don't care about aesthetics as much as I care about the upper triple tree not hitting the tank.

[Falko]

Supposedly a tank left to dry for a few months will return to size.

[jwm2k3]

Thanks for asking, reminds me I need to do the same with the S4 tank.

Anyone know if an already lumpy tank can be shrunk back to nearly or like new? I don't care about aesthetics as much as I care about the upper triple tree not hitting the tank.

Supposedly a tank left to dry for a few months will return to size.

I agree with Falko, although Ive never experienced it, the Ducati boards are filled with guys whos tanks have returned to size after expansion, if they are removed and left dry for a while.

[jwm2k3]

Oh, by the way. I solved this issue by buying an 1198S Corse with the alum tank

[theducman]

My 848 has not had a problem. My sport classic has. Leave the gas cap open so it can vent when you are not riding.

[cdovego]

Good stuff, I'll go open it now and I'll plan to pull it and empty it over the winter. Thank you!

[dankatz]

When I bought my used SF848 I was told by the dealer to fill to within an inch of the filler neck and not more. Will that take care of it or are there any other tricks I need to know for a tank that is not yet affected?

[jwm2k3]

I believe its not just the pressure, but the ethanol in the fuel that affects the composite of the tank, weakening it and thus it expands.

As always, I could be wrong. But thats how I understand the issue.

[Kurlon]

The ethanol doesn't weaken the plastic, think of it more like a sponge taking on water, expanding as it fills. When it expands it distorts the shape, but when given time for the ethanol to migrate back out it returns back to it's original size and shape.

[SwiftTone]

Pretty sure pressure is not what makes the tank to expand.

Also, leaving it slightly empty will not prevent it from expanding. There is a guy from another forum who drains the tank after every ride and he still has this issue.

[Falko]

What I read on the subject is that the ethanol in the fuel facilitates the plastic to absorb water. The plastic used in the US machines is different than the plastic used in the Euro spec units. I think the US tanks are an ABS based resin, but not positive. We all know that ethanol attracts moisture, but once entrained that moisture permeates into the plastic causing it to swell. The ethanol somehow or other facilitates the absorption of the water. If they used a different resin to make the tanks, this would be a non-issue. But the USDOT or NTSB or some other .gov dictated the use of the resin at hand for safety sake. Swelling tanks is for the children it would seem.

[The Snowman]

My 848 has not had a problem. My sport classic has. Leave the gas cap open so it can vent when you are not riding.

I do he same with my Aprilia. Since I only use it once or twice a month, I use a shaker to drain the tank and leave the cap off. No issues, even when it's parked for months in the off-season.

[scottieducati]

What I read on the subject is that the ethanol in the fuel facilitates the plastic to absorb water. The plastic used in the US machines is different than the plastic used in the Euro spec units. I think the US tanks are an ABS based resin, but not positive. We all know that ethanol attracts moisture, but once entrained that moisture permeates into the plastic causing it to swell. The ethanol somehow or other facilitates the absorption of the water. If they used a different resin to make the tanks, this would be a non-issue. But the USDOT or NTSB or some other .gov dictated the use of the resin at hand for safety sake. Swelling tanks is for the children it would seem.

Where did you hear that plastics are different? I find that incredibly hard to believe they make two types of tank for different markets. FAR more likely, is the Ethanol (that is only mandated here in the US) causes the problems on the same tanks that are fine elsewhere that only uses straight gasoline.

Every single one of you gits should be calling your representatives telling them to repeal the E10 mandate.

[R7]

Oh, by the way. I solved this issue by buying an 1198S Corse with the alum tank

I solved my Italian tank swelling issue by selling it, and buying an R1..couldn't be happier

[cdovego]

Where did you hear that plastics are different? I find that incredibly hard to believe they make two types of tank for different markets. FAR more likely, is the Ethanol (that is only mandated here in the US) causes the problems on the same tanks that are fine elsewhere that only uses straight gasoline.

Every single one of you gits should be calling your representatives telling them to repeal the E10 mandate.

Perhaps but first tell me what a git is.

[scottieducati]

Here you go.

[cdovego]

Pretty much sums me up, learned a new word today. I'll draft my letter now.