NHTSA Complaint #10367266 — 2006 DUCATI MONSTER 696

MY DUCATI HAS A PLASTIC GAS TANK WHICH HAS BEGUN TO EXPAND AND DEFORM. THE OUTSIDE DIMENSIONS OF THE TANK HAVE INCREASED AND IT NOW DOES NOT SIT CORRECTLY IN THE FRAME ESPECIALLY ON THE RIGHT SIDE, THE HANDLEBARS HIT IT ON TURNING, AND IT PRESSES AGAINST THE IGNITION SWITCH. PREVIOUSLY IT OPENED AND CLOSED WITHOUT PROBLEMS, NOW I HAVE TO WEDGE IT AGAINST THE IGNITION SWITCH TO CLOSE IT. THE RIGHT RUBBER MOUNT NO LONGER SIT ON THE FRAME AND THE LEFT MOUNT IS BEGINNING TO SPREAD TOO. I HAVE NOT MODIFIED MY MOTORCYCLE EXCEPT SOME COSMETIC CHANGES. I HAVE MADE NO MODIFICATIONS TO THE FUEL TANK OR FUEL PUMP. I TOOK THE BIKE TO THE DEALER WHO SUBMITTED A CLAIM TO DUCATI NORTH AMERICA (THE IMPORTER/FACTORY) AND THEY REPLACED THE ORIGINAL TANK. I AM VERY CONCERNED AS TO THE SAFETY OF THIS MOTORCYCLE NOW. THE NEW TANK IS SWELLING HAS MADE IT SO THE HANDLEBARS DO NOT TURN CORRECTLY. IF THE TANK SWELLS ENOUGH, IT WILL SPLIT OPEN OR BECOME UNSTABLE ON THE MOTORCYCLE AND I AM CONCERNED THIS WILL HAPPEN WHILE I AM RIDING. *TR