Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > Supersports: SS / SuperSport / Supersport 950 > Frame stress crack

[AL900SL]

Has anyone had any problems with a stress crack on the frame of a 900 ss or Super Light, or know of any historic issues with stress cracks on these frames.
The issue I have is where the fuel tank front support bracket is welded to the top frame tube just down from the head stock. The weld securing this bracket has a cack between the weld and the the frame tube and also a crack in the frame tube inline with the lower edge of the tank support bracket. I can get it fixed, but was curious if this is a known issue.
Any feedback appreciated.

[antonye]

Yes - I've read about this before and it is a known (and common) problem.

Frank will have a link, but try a Google search as something may come up.

[antonye]

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...k+ducati&meta=

that should keep you busy!

[AL900SL]

Thanks for the link. It should give me a little light reading.
I'll say hello at the next DD round. The opening round at Cadwell was cracking, especially as most were new to racing.
Cheers

[FiscusFish]

As Antony says it's a well known problem with early SS frames. Some go, some don't.

The good news is Ducati will often supply a new frame for free (labour for fitting's another matter though).

Darren

[antonye]

Originally posted by FiscusFish
As Antony says it's a well known problem with early SS frames. Some go, some don't.

The good news is Ducati will often supply a new frame for free (labour for fitting's another matter though).

Trust me - if *I* can strip down an SS to a bare frame, put it back together again and then go out and get 11th place in a Desmo Due race, it's not that hard!

[Iconic944ss]

Antonye - you know me too well:

http://www.ducati.net/faq.cfm?id=41

I wonder if this has ever been the subject of an official recall then if Ducati 'recognise' the weakness by supplying a new frame if required?

Time to have a detailed examination of my frame I think.

Frank

[Derek]

It hasn't been the subject of a recall but Ducati will replace the frame if your claim is supported by the dealer. I got the one on my '95 replaced last spring. I had to do the work but replacement is free. Ducati are currently out of carbed SS frames until another batch is made. A fellow off one of the other lists has been waiting since last summer

Here's a pic of the crack that mine had :

[900SL Pete]

I had exactly the same thing happen to my 96 900 superlight. I went to see the lads at Derby Powersports which is sadly no longer there, they told me they had received several replacement frames from \italy and they ordered me one.
I was well chuffed with the response from Ducati, a frame was delivered a couple of months latter and I swapped the frame so they could send the original back, the bike was rebuilt over the winter.

The only draw back I felt was that the frame comes obviously with no frame number as its not actually a bike!!
and no paperwork, to verify what has been done.
So you have to stamp your frame number onto the new frame. Be carefull to try to duplicate the frame number and type of stamp, I dont know how prospective buyers will perceive this when you come to sell.

I feel happier fitting the new frame than I may have done by making a weld repair, which was the alternative. I have had no problems what so ever and it was not too much hassle at all as during the winter I would normally strip the bike any way, maybe not right down to the frame but!!
All the best and hope you can get the same response fromyour local dealer.

Regards

Pete

[Derek]

A new batch of frames has just been released.