Yep, the fuel hose is a one shot. I learned this during my 3rd time lucky experience with a Carbon Fibre fuel tank. That said, I recently had to remove my fuel tank whilst at Almeria, Spain. When I popped it back into place and reattached the fuel hose, there were no leaks…. Phew!
Probably should have bought one at the outset and new clamps but hey ho. Parts should be here this time next week.
Had to add around 1 litre of engine oil, owing to the removal of the oil cooler earlier on in the build, and topped up the coolant system (hopefully no air locks). Next job is to fix the PIA side fairing grommets in place with some Parabond 600. This should prevent them from dislodging again. After that I can refit the winglets as they were removed for clear coating. Here is a better view of the bike from the RHS. The exhaust system doesn't really exhibit any signs of a heat cycle, as the bike only ran for around 90 seconds before the fuel leak became apparent and I shut the bike down.
Another part arrived today that I have been waiting for, for quite a while. Had one on my 1098S a few years back and it's extremely well made. It is this brake light modulator ("the SupaBrake III") from ViziTec, who are based in Australia. Unlike other cheap modulators this one works on algorithms that do not simply flash the brake light at random times or on repeated use of the brakes. Instead it uses a "Grace Period" and both your braking frequency and intervals, to determine the most appropriate time to activate. You can also configure the profile to your own liking and the unit is fully CAN bus compatible. Each unit is tailor made to your bike and is simply "plug-n-play" and comes with a comprehensive 24 page user manual, that you can download from their website. It takes literally 5 mins to fit it. The owner Bernard, is very knowledgeable and helpful and responds quickly to any correspondence or questions you may have. More details can be found here: https://www.vizi-tec.com/ Here is the unit itself. Very small and compact and easy to secrete under the seat.
So fuel tank coming off today to remove the offending delivery hose. On closer inspection, it appears to have a tiny hole, almost invisible to the naked eye, from where the pressurized fuel is escaping. I hope to have its replacement and associated clamps in a few days, in order to reassemble the bike and run the engine up to temperature. Whilst the new hose now comes with what Ducati call a "damper", it's basically a braided sleeve that goes over the hose to stop it fretting against the subframe/cylinder head. I may well add some spiral binding or a short oversized section of rubber hose, to protect it further. Whilst I had the tank of my previous bike on/off several times with no fuel leak issues from this hose, threading it in/out of the gap between the rear cylinder head and subframe, often requires some forceful manipulation which, I imagine, is when the damage is being caused.
I wish. Most of the bodywork will be back on soon. Just waiting on the last few pieces so hopefully around March, it will be complete.
So tank is off again! Removed the offending hose and clips. Whole process took no longer than ten mins. Discovered that the hose had delaminated at the fuel rail end. There is an outer reinforced sheath that is bonded to an inner rubber core. That aside from what appeared to be a very small nick, is most likely the cause of the leak, so this hose is toast. The braiding around the hose is what Ducati refer to as the "damper".
So....still waiting on the fuel hose to arrive (hopefully this week, so I can run the bike up to temperature, check for leaks and if all good, refit the bodywork) but in the meantime, I did receive this titanium drain bolt with a separate very powerful magnetic insert and two crush washers which were also included. I will be fitting it at the first oil change which is due in a couple of hundred miles. Email address shown is that of the moderator of the US Ducati forum, who makes them. Great quality part. Here's the bolt and magnetic insert Magnetic insert in place
It isn't. There is a steel set screw inside the titanium bolt that the magnet is attracted to. More info on the thread here: https://ducatiforum.com/t/magnetic-oil-drain-bolts-titanium-are-back.63070/
FINALLY! The correct fuel hose and parts were delivered to the dealer today, which I picked up this afternoon. I'm working all this weekend but hopefully I can fit the parts late Sunday, with the aim of running the bike up to temperature on Monday morning, to check for leaks, fans cutting in and the coolant level. I'll also upload a cold start video of the bike, so you can hear how it sounds compared with the mostly Akra shod V4s.
Second flight cancelled today, so had enough time to refit the tank. No leaks with the lines pressurised (ignition on). I'll run the bike Monday. Too bloody cold and snowing outside ATM. That and Monday most of the neighbours are at work so I don't feel too guilty running it for an extended period.
Ran the bike up to temperature today and no oil or coolant leaks. Checked all the levels afterwards and all OK, so that's always a relief. I did take a video but as I had the bike backed out of the garage, you can't really hear the exhaust over the sound of the dry clutch bouncing off the walls, so I will post one up somewhere I can give it some revs and not alienate myself from the neighbours. As it is at tickover, it is very loud. I'll be refitting some of the bodywork this weekend, the clear coated winglets and some more new parts. I am still waiting on the lower fairing extensions and a trick carbon piece, yet to be painted. After that I just have to set the chain tension, torque up the eccentric hub bolts, sprocket side and rear wheel hub nuts and fit their locking rings. I need to have the dealer activate the DMS module and the bike should be there or thereabouts done. The bike is due it's first service in around 80 miles, so I may well have them do it then.
