I was thinking about some kind of internal sealant but its right where the fuel pump picks up from so maybe not a good idea.. I'll take it to the local bodyshop and see what they say
Just read about repairing cracks / pin holes by soldering it, I have all the tools to do that myself, few different soldering irons and some decent solder any thoughts on that approach?
Assuming the ethanol in petrol doesn't react with solder why not? you could solder first then cover with POR 15 - that way the seams will be protected in future (that's where they often go)
if you have checked whole lower tank and you are happy that that is the worst then you could solder that, have done several similar but largest I have managed to block is only around 2mm dia and provided corrosion is not ongoing (rarely the case) it could last a year or two. I would think long and hard about using POR 15 despite it being arguably the "best of the bunch" because it is also only temporary and is one hell of a mess to remove if it comes to it.
Well, that seemed to go quite well.. I used an 80W Iron and the highest purity solder I have with a 4% silver content. After I did the first lot I then found another lot hiding under the paint further towards the hinge plate so did those too Once it had cooled I covered with a 2 pack epoxy glue to help seal and also cover the exposed metal - this will take about 6 hours to cure I'll see how it is in the morning and try putting some fuel into the tank
if you see anything suspicious/bubbled paint etc it's worth prodding with a sharp steel thing just to check, as best to find and solder now in one go.
Today was the day to sort out the map on the bike. To summarise: ST4S Loom - modified to extend some connections (inc ECU) under the seat Hypermotard 1100 (2008) 5AM ECU - chosen as I was told they do not run an immobiliser and the 5AM is easier to map later I managed to speak to some guys on the .ms forum who had successfully swapped out the original ST4S ECU (Marelli 59M) for the later ECU used on Hypermotards / 1098s etc (Marelli 5AM) They had suffered with failing ECUs so did the hard work to make the later ones work! Using the correct cables form Lonelec, a Macbook Pro and some free (!) software called : IAW5xReader_V0.28_x64 IAW5xWriter_V0.24 I was able to talk to the Hypermotard ECU and download the original map (in case things went wrong..) and then upload the map the guys sent me from the other forum. To be certain the new map was on there I connected and downloaded again the map I had uploaded and the text file confirmed this was a different map to the original Hypermotard map. Holding my breath a little I started the bike and... it ran perfectly, ticks over nicely and responds crisply to the throttle - super pleased with this result !
A couple of fault codes read with GuzziDiag_V0.47 to sort out but otherwise all good The map is lacking input for the air pressure sensor so I suspect one of the codes is that TPS probably needs a reset too as I 'think' 3.20 is a little low..
Ok, so I guess the next step is the exhaust silencers. Does anyone know (I’ve searched) if it’s possible to get any kind of link pipes to be able to run 888 high level silencers? I think someone used to make them but I can’t find any info
thanks final_edition but I don't think they are still operating, I have sent a few messages and now the website is down...
He used to frequent the 851/888 forum as duc904red... http://www.ducati851and888.com/showthread.php?6098-frame-project
Worked on the clocks / dash today, managed to convince a set of 750SS clocks to work with the ST4S loom (thought they were a slightly better match visually than the ST4S clocks)
Also test fitted the single race seat on the Biposta subframe to check it cleared the grab handles etc (race subframe will come later) ST4S Exhaust silencers are now fully fitted but don't look good (in my opinion) so the search continues for some alternatives..
Does anyone know if the regulator cover is shared with other bikes or does anyone have the part number? I can't find it online, I see there are carbon versions available but not sure I need to spend money on those
Progress on the chain alignment yesterday, some extra lock washers were modified to become spacers and all good, clearance a little tight with the 180/60 Pirelli Supercorsa rear so I might need to change that for a 180/55 later on..
