HELP ME. Dealer says no go

31-05-2004, 06:45 AM

I have recently had the flakey engine paint syndrome. I took bike to my dealer M & S Motorcycles in newcastle and they first of all showed a lack of enthusiasim towards the problem saying they had never heard of that before. They finally agreed to photograph the bike. After a couple of weeks they phoned and said that Ducati wanted an over all condition shot of the bike. As i have garaged and lovingly cared for the bike since i got it 8 months ago i thought that this would be the turning point and my bike would be re-sprayed at the least.

About a week passed and M & S phoned again and told me the answer from Ducati was NO when i asked for the Ducati UK phone number i was told he didnt have it

.

I dont think i can trust the dealer.

i need some help from other members. Can anyone give me advice.
should i now hassle Ducati UK or should i seek legal advice?

Please help as i cannot except that an 8 month old bike should have paint peeling off the underside of the casings.

Terry do you have a contact at Ducati UK who is in the know about this problem.

31-05-2004, 07:41 AM

Sounds like the old don't give a feck attitude from some dealers there chum,and know from my own monster flaking that Ducati want the condition shot to prove it is not a bin that is abused but if it is as good overall condition as you say you shouldn't have a problem(unless the warranty rules have changed again)Anyway get back onto the dealer who should do the chasing for you.If you call me on 0141 3334998 during the week I will get a number at Ducati for you....

31-05-2004, 01:20 PM

Ducati UK are on 0845 1222 996 or e-mail, I think the address is info@ducatiuk.com. Their details are available on the ducati uk website. Good luck.
P.B.

31-05-2004, 01:41 PM

The guy you need to contact is Peter Brooking (Marketing and Aftersales Manager) at pfbrooking@ducatiuk.com. I have the same problem - paint flaking (various engine parts and footrest hangers) on a well looked after bike within the warranty period. Even after contacting Peter Brooking I haven't got anywhere yet. I think the next step for me is legal action (or at least the threat of it). This is a very common problem and has happened to many members of this club. Most seem to have (in the past) had the relevant parts replaced under warranty but Ducati seem to have become reluctant to do this (certainly in my case). They are blaming the problem on salt corrosion. I don't ride my bike in conditions where the roads are likely to have been salted so I refute this - I believe it is a manufacturing fault. The wheels on my bike are painted alloy and there is no sign of flaking on them - but then they aren't made or painted by Ducati! Even if it is due to salt corrosion, salted roads are a fact of life in the UK and goods sold in the UK have to be fit for the purpose under the sale of goods act and its various ammendments; i.e. riding on UK roads in UK weather conditions. Good luck!

31-05-2004, 05:39 PM

I am also suffering from flaky paint syndrome; on the oil and water cooler on my s4r. I'm pleased to say that my dealer (Duc Manchester) didn't even question it - just showed them the problem and they have agreed to replace them at the next service. An excellent bunch of peeps at Manchester; I can thoroughly recommend them.

31-05-2004, 10:53 PM

Sorry but I feel like sounding off!

I don't give a f**k if the bikes been ridden to death in the foulest of weather and kept outside at night - paint shouldn't peel off engine casings or anywhere else in eight months. Somewhere in the law there is something about a product being fit for the purpose it was designed for and as this is a motorcycle that would include riding in bad conditions ( and then parking it up and going to bed as most of us aren't leading a life of complete leisure).

Maybe Ducati ought to make it a condition of sale that you have a centrally-heated garage and swear that you will towel it down if you are stupid enough to get caught in a short shower.

Unless you've been pouring acid over it they should sort it.

I feel better now!

Paul.

J.P · 10-03-2008, 03:05 PM

Had a look under my bike at the weekend and noticed some really bad paint flake at the bottom of the low-sump. Bike was brand new in July last year and though I've covered nearly 5,000 miles since, it's really is a pi**er for it to be so bad so quickly.
And I was very good at washing it down and had it pre-sprayed with ACF-50 and always used scottoiler F-365 on it after washing.
I'll be calling P & H about it very soon.

JerryXt · 10-03-2008, 04:22 PM

mine has a small amount too. I've been told to talk to Ducati direct to start the process.

I might get the crank balanced and a lightened flywheel while they've got it apart. Not that it needs it, but it would be rude not to.

10-03-2008, 04:51 PM

Here's a more recent thread on exactly the same subject.

http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...ad.php?t=25352

I persued a claim for the flaking engine paint and got Ducati to agree to renew the effected casings. But they did state it was a "gesture of goodwill" rather than an admission of fault

G.

10-03-2008, 07:55 PM

No matter what the dealers or Ducati say - this has been a problem with the modern (since at least 2002, probably earlier) Ducati air-cooled engine.

They ARE prone to flaky engine paint. I am surprised (well actually probably not) that this problem is still going on 6 years or more later.

My 2002 620ie suffered from this (after only 6,000 miles or so); they replaced the engine casings under warranty. I emailed Ducati UK directly and politely explained the situation to them. They really had no choice but to co-operate as it was obvious to the dealer who inspected the bike that it had been immaculately maintained, so it was unequivocally a manufacturing or design issue.

Many people have had this problem, but I suspect that not enough people complain so it is still cheaper for Ducati to ignore the problem than to fix it.

If you bike is still under warranty and you can clearly demonstrate that the bike has not be subject to adverse conditions than you should have a case.

One point that is worth mentioning in Ducati's favour is that the front of the engine is exposed to all the crap, stones etc, thrown up by the front wheel and you would really need some tough paint to survive that for thousands of miles. So if the flakiness starts right at the front under the starter motor then Ducati might reason that it is just normal wear and tear.

12-03-2008, 09:41 AM

For those who are not lucky enough to get their casings changed under warranty, you might be interested in clutch/primary casing on Fleabay today:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=110232655138

If it fits your bike, could be a good buy.

G.

gary tompkins · 13-03-2008, 10:46 PM

A full belly pan helps paint survive better - so stone chips must be an issue. My solo has had a monza pan fitted from almost new & the paint's still very good. The trike's naked engine by comparison is a right mess - and it's done a lot less miles. Post 2001/2002 bikes seem to suffer from this problem a lot more.

J.P · 10-03-2008, 04:47 PM

There's always something you can do right.

31-05-2004, 06:45 AM	#1
celt Guest Posts: n/a	HELP ME. Dealer says no go I have recently had the flakey engine paint syndrome. I took bike to my dealer M & S Motorcycles in newcastle and they first of all showed a lack of enthusiasim towards the problem saying they had never heard of that before. They finally agreed to photograph the bike. After a couple of weeks they phoned and said that Ducati wanted an over all condition shot of the bike. As i have garaged and lovingly cared for the bike since i got it 8 months ago i thought that this would be the turning point and my bike would be re-sprayed at the least. About a week passed and M & S phoned again and told me the answer from Ducati was NO when i asked for the Ducati UK phone number i was told he didnt have it . I dont think i can trust the dealer. i need some help from other members. Can anyone give me advice. should i now hassle Ducati UK or should i seek legal advice? Please help as i cannot except that an 8 month old bike should have paint peeling off the underside of the casings. Terry do you have a contact at Ducati UK who is in the know about this problem.

10-03-2008, 03:05 PM	#7
J.P No more Monster... Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London Bike: Other Not a Ducati Posts: 4,326	Had a look under my bike at the weekend and noticed some really bad paint flake at the bottom of the low-sump. Bike was brand new in July last year and though I've covered nearly 5,000 miles since, it's really is a pi**er for it to be so bad so quickly. And I was very good at washing it down and had it pre-sprayed with ACF-50 and always used scottoiler F-365 on it after washing. I'll be calling P & H about it very soon. __________________ J.JP ------------------------------- My Mum says, there's no such thing as Monsters.

10-03-2008, 04:22 PM	#8
JerryXt everyone gets home safe Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: London Bike: S4Rs Posts: 933	mine has a small amount too. I've been told to talk to Ducati direct to start the process. I might get the crank balanced and a lightened flywheel while they've got it apart. Not that it needs it, but it would be rude not to. __________________ There is no depth to that mans talent... Sorry, there is no END to the depth of that mans talent.

13-03-2008, 10:46 PM	#12
gary tompkins 1/2 man - 1/2 pogo-stick Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Dartford, Kent Bike: M900ie Posts: 7,241	A full belly pan helps paint survive better - so stone chips must be an issue. My solo has had a monza pan fitted from almost new & the paint's still very good. The trike's naked engine by comparison is a right mess - and it's done a lot less miles. Post 2001/2002 bikes seem to suffer from this problem a lot more. __________________ GT Fully paid up member of the S.A.S. (Scottoiler Appreciation Society) 27,000 miles on original chain - and still going strong!

10-03-2008, 04:47 PM	#13
J.P No more Monster... Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London Bike: Other Not a Ducati Posts: 4,326	There's always something you can do right. __________________ J.JP ------------------------------- My Mum says, there's no such thing as Monsters.

31-05-2004, 07:41 AM	#2
berto Guest Posts: n/a	Sounds like the old don't give a feck attitude from some dealers there chum,and know from my own monster flaking that Ducati want the condition shot to prove it is not a bin that is abused but if it is as good overall condition as you say you shouldn't have a problem(unless the warranty rules have changed again)Anyway get back onto the dealer who should do the chasing for you.If you call me on 0141 3334998 during the week I will get a number at Ducati for you....

31-05-2004, 01:20 PM	#3
Pit Bitch Guest Posts: n/a	Ducati UK are on 0845 1222 996 or e-mail, I think the address is info@ducatiuk.com. Their details are available on the ducati uk website. Good luck. P.B.

31-05-2004, 01:41 PM	#4
PaulS Guest Posts: n/a	The guy you need to contact is Peter Brooking (Marketing and Aftersales Manager) at pfbrooking@ducatiuk.com. I have the same problem - paint flaking (various engine parts and footrest hangers) on a well looked after bike within the warranty period. Even after contacting Peter Brooking I haven't got anywhere yet. I think the next step for me is legal action (or at least the threat of it). This is a very common problem and has happened to many members of this club. Most seem to have (in the past) had the relevant parts replaced under warranty but Ducati seem to have become reluctant to do this (certainly in my case). They are blaming the problem on salt corrosion. I don't ride my bike in conditions where the roads are likely to have been salted so I refute this - I believe it is a manufacturing fault. The wheels on my bike are painted alloy and there is no sign of flaking on them - but then they aren't made or painted by Ducati! Even if it is due to salt corrosion, salted roads are a fact of life in the UK and goods sold in the UK have to be fit for the purpose under the sale of goods act and its various ammendments; i.e. riding on UK roads in UK weather conditions. Good luck!

31-05-2004, 05:39 PM	#5
kevb Guest Posts: n/a	I am also suffering from flaky paint syndrome; on the oil and water cooler on my s4r. I'm pleased to say that my dealer (Duc Manchester) didn't even question it - just showed them the problem and they have agreed to replace them at the next service. An excellent bunch of peeps at Manchester; I can thoroughly recommend them.

31-05-2004, 10:53 PM	#6
IpauloGTS Guest Posts: n/a	Sorry but I feel like sounding off! I don't give a f**k if the bikes been ridden to death in the foulest of weather and kept outside at night - paint shouldn't peel off engine casings or anywhere else in eight months. Somewhere in the law there is something about a product being fit for the purpose it was designed for and as this is a motorcycle that would include riding in bad conditions ( and then parking it up and going to bed as most of us aren't leading a life of complete leisure). Maybe Ducati ought to make it a condition of sale that you have a centrally-heated garage and swear that you will towel it down if you are stupid enough to get caught in a short shower. Unless you've been pouring acid over it they should sort it. I feel better now! Paul.

10-03-2008, 04:51 PM	#9
YoungDucS4R Guest Posts: n/a	Here's a more recent thread on exactly the same subject. http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...ad.php?t=25352 I persued a claim for the flaking engine paint and got Ducati to agree to renew the effected casings. But they did state it was a "gesture of goodwill" rather than an admission of fault G.

10-03-2008, 07:55 PM	#10
Will Guest Posts: n/a	No matter what the dealers or Ducati say - this has been a problem with the modern (since at least 2002, probably earlier) Ducati air-cooled engine. They ARE prone to flaky engine paint. I am surprised (well actually probably not) that this problem is still going on 6 years or more later. My 2002 620ie suffered from this (after only 6,000 miles or so); they replaced the engine casings under warranty. I emailed Ducati UK directly and politely explained the situation to them. They really had no choice but to co-operate as it was obvious to the dealer who inspected the bike that it had been immaculately maintained, so it was unequivocally a manufacturing or design issue. Many people have had this problem, but I suspect that not enough people complain so it is still cheaper for Ducati to ignore the problem than to fix it. If you bike is still under warranty and you can clearly demonstrate that the bike has not be subject to adverse conditions than you should have a case. One point that is worth mentioning in Ducati's favour is that the front of the engine is exposed to all the crap, stones etc, thrown up by the front wheel and you would really need some tough paint to survive that for thousands of miles. So if the flakiness starts right at the front under the starter motor then Ducati might reason that it is just normal wear and tear.

12-03-2008, 09:41 AM	#11
YoungDucS4R Guest Posts: n/a	For those who are not lucky enough to get their casings changed under warranty, you might be interested in clutch/primary casing on Fleabay today: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=110232655138 If it fits your bike, could be a good buy. G.