Cracked Frame

On saturday I got the bike out to give it a good clean before putting it all back together again for the spring, currently all the bodywork, the tank airbox and carbs are off. You can imagine my horror when I spotted a hairline crack at the steering head, on the right hand top frame tube at the end of the weld to the gusset.
Now I can get this welded but I'd be happier with another frame. Has anyone else on the list in the UK had this happen or know of any occurrence?
I know that Ducati US have been replacing frames but what will Ducati UK do about it? - Ignore it I suspect.
I'm rather annoyed that I didn't spot it back in November, it's been under my nose all winter and I just hadn't looked closely enough. Now I've got about 4 to 6 weeks to get it sorted out - BUGGER!!

Just have someone TIG weld it & you can add a small gusset if you like as well. You will end up with a frame that is better than it was new, & avoid all the hassle of a new frame.

I'll give it a week and see if Ducati offer anything. I suspect they wont but I'll have no problems getting it welded.

Had the same horror last summer, drove down to the dealer showed them the crack, they took a few pictures and said they would call me when my frame came in. 4 days later they had a brand new frame, they stamped my VIN number on it. I paid a 500 Euro deposite took the frame straight to the paint-shop. two weeks later I retuned my old frame to the dealer to get my deposite back. My bike was only down for 2 days while I changed the frame.

frame fresh from paint booth


Let the Games begin

bruntr that isn't a 916 tail mounted on a cruiser in that picture is it?

I got a call from the dealer this morning. They are hopefull of getting replacement frame from Ducati. At least the dealer is working for me which must be half the battle.

Hey Derek

Which model & year frame do you have?

What is your understanding of which frames Ducati USA is replacing?

Thanks
mike

Mine is a 95 900SS but I'm in the UK. As far as I know the affected frames are all SS model frames prior to 1997. Whether they offer to replace them or not appears to be a different matter.
If Brad Black is out there could he tell me if there was a recall on SS frames in Australia, as reported on one ex-owners website. It would help my case if there was.

Saludos Derek, Sorry about the crack, but glad you found it on time.
That must be a defect, tell you why I believe so; About six months ago, I was coming back from work at 2:00 a.m., doing about 65mph, and a bit too late I saw this dark color huge dog laying on the highway 10 feet from my front tire, all I could do was hold tight, a second or so later we were about 5 feet in the air, and I don`t know how I landed on the seat and managed to stop without falling. To make the story a bit funny NOW, the car that was following me stoped behind me and the nice young fellow was freaking out from the scene. I had to calm him, and he offered help then. I drove the bike to a gas station and found that the poor dog had spilled its brown contents all over my left leg and the bike. Well, I went home and washed it a bit, but the next day I dismantled the bike and found pieces of the dogs internal mechanisms all over the engine and frame. I hit him ( still sorry ) so hard that my front tire hit the front cylinder valve cover from the hard fork compression and the frame spring action. I looked and looked and looked for that frame crack that I swear would find, but never to this day have found any cracks or paint peeling on the frame. I AM STILL AMAZED AT THIS BIKES FRAMES !!!, I trust this bike my balls, any day, anywhere. The bike still rides like new, 100mph no hands on bars still no problem, and no signs of any damage other than some cracks on the lower fairing mounting tabs. Do you remember the "cop" guy on the movie Terminator, thats what I compare this bike to. I heard of other similar stories. Wish you luck, and let me know if I can help someway.
Hasta luego, Johnny

I'm glad to hear they're not all like mine. Shame about the dog though.

Good news today. Ducati have agreed to replace my frame. In their letter they said at my expense and that I should authorise a dealer to fit it. However after speaking to my dealer and to Ducati UK Aftersales they have agreed I can fit it myself. The frame should be with my dealer in a week to 10 days so I should be back on the road by the end of the month.
I can only say that I'm very impressed by the support provided by my dealer, Shirlaw's of Aberdeen and by Ducati UK

Way to go Ducati! They deserv credit for standing behind there product like that.

thats one off the reasons I have one, great. (have a new frame from ducati either)

there has never been a recall of frames. but, if a frame is cracked a new one is supplied free of charge. this is the way it has always happened for us.

we usually fit them, but there is always the option of doing it yourself. expect to be asked for a deposit. the old frame does not belong to you (the owner), it belongs to ducati spa or their local agent. if there is two frames with the same vin around they get in a lot of trouble. we cut the steering heads out with the oxy to be returned, then throw the rest in the bin. coz we have to.

we gave one to an owner (the boss did after i refused) without a deposit, relying on his honesty, and the f#%king arsehole owner then tried to sell it. we only found out when we saw the ad - "900ss frame, one small crack at steering head". then he gave us some bullshit about being too busy to bring the old one in. so we won't be doing that again.

Exchanged my old frame for the new one at the dealer yesterday. The bike is 3/4 back together again. Just have to do the fiddly bits like refitting all the electrics. Then on with the airbox, tank and bodywork and that's me ready for the road again. I'm very pleased that the Ducati and the dealer sorted this out quickly.

make sure you get the vin number stamped on it before it's all in one piece. mucho agro to do it nicely later. we get a local engraver to do it, then clear over the numbers to seal them.

Brad. First thing I did when I collected it was to get it stamped with the VIN. I rubbed Waxoyl into the indents that should stop it rusting. I didn't think of something as obvious as clear coating

just found a damn hairline on mine....grr. Two questions for you guys.

1. What would happen if I just let it be and continued my hard riding including quick takeoffs, fast stops, and wheelies?

2. Does the dealer charge labor and parts even if ducati sends the frame? How much time should I expect to pay for?

Here's a response from a local shop. names witheld. Does this cost seem right?

If our
inspection does indeed find a stress crack due to workmanship Ducati will replace the frame
only. Steering head bearings, swing arm bearings / bushings and other parts needed for the
reassembly are not included. The labor is not included. The labor time will be a minimun of 15
hours at $76.00 per hour. It would take a few months (2-4) to get a frame (it will come from
Italy) and we will have to send them the old frame first.

I would not recommend telling them about the wheelies!