Before I comment I have no links with this company but feel he deserves some recognition for outstanding work. After some 10 years trying to purchase an alloy tank for my 2004 monster 1000 I’ve finally got one. Over the years I’ve approached pretty much every UK builder holt, tab classics and others and the same reply - very complex and would take too much time and tooling costs etc. I even raised threads on forums regarding a bulk buy from a company in UK for a minimum of 20 but zero interest. Anyway found a guy called Manuel who’s company link is [email protected] based in Italy. After searching forums I found a link to him dated from around 2012 and he produces some excellent work and I thought craftsmanship of this nature should be shared. I specifically wanted the brushed affect as per my alloy 1098 tank however at an additional charge can be polished. Asked Manuel for some info about him and here’s his reply. From 2013 to 2018 I made the tanks for the Ducati Moto GP, and also I made the production of the aluminum tank for the Ducati 1098. In general I can say that I am able to reproduce any type of tank. For some models such as Ducati sport1000, Ducati Gt 1000, Ducati Paul Smart, Ducati Streetfighter And Ducati Monster I have the molds to be able to beat the sheet metal, but I am able to produce any tank even without having the molds. I have always done bodywork from Ferrari machines and tanks as they did in the 70s. Here’s some pics of my own tank before and fitted to monster. I’ve also included two other pictures of his work on cars - amazing car and petrol tank. Tank now at painters for lacquer and then my paint scheme. [ View attachment 183512
Not mine. Similar to standard, but with bottom edge cut away above the vertical cylinder head. Some had vertical vent tubes down from just ahead of the filler cap, through to the airbox.
Three weeks from placing order. Showed several mates and it really is a stunning piece of work and all from a flat piece of ally. Over the moon lead time, price, finish and fitting.
I never get tired of looking at work like this. Being a sheet metal worker I can fully appreciated the work gone into producing it. A credit to him!
Looks like he had teething troubles... https://www.ducati.ms/threads/italian-alum-tank-buyer-beware.372697/
Not here to defend him as don’t know the history but he does respond as he did further in the thread which many don’t. In my brief dealings with Manuel I’ve found him passionate about his work and strives for perfection and more than happy to rectify problems. His work is thought of highly by many - true works of art but threads of this nature seems to encourage some people to only look for the negatives which is a shame as distracts from initial pics on quality of work from my own personal experience - not someone I don’t know. I’ve also learned from other posts on custom work that price is always an important issue - fair enough but then the thread descends to barrage of complaints about extortionate cost. Personally with my 150k miles my bike is pretty much worth nothing but to me everything so I have a tank worth more than value of my complete bike. A new mass produced plastic painted tank from Ducati costs £1700 (INC VAT) which will probably expand like my original. People pay vast sums for tiny bits of carbon plastic, brake leavers, suspension etc the list is endless. Anyway not trying to avoid the price paid - a simple email to Manuel will clarify for all interested parties. All I’ll say it was cheaper than a mass produced tank even if polished.
How cool is that to have something you value so highly! I don't have an ally tank, but I do have a bike which is similar, that is viewed by me in the same way. Kudos.
Looks good quality that tank, on par with a beater tank i have. Good price too as the beater tanks are around the £2000 mark now due to the current exchange rate.
I had looked at Beater in the past but from what i could see they don’t offer a tank for the range of monsters from 2004 to 2007 i.e 620,800,1000,S2R800,S2R1000. Could be wrong but they don’t list it on their website. The only other company I’ve found recently is http://thealuminiumfueltank.com/ducati-monster-gas-tank-aluminum-alloy-s2r.html They also look very good but one thing I don’t particularly like is the area around the fuel cap which has a distinctive ring whereas with my tank it all looks as one.
It’s my intention to post the weight and fuel capacity versus the plastic one once I get back from painters.
