FOR SALE
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ETTO MOTORCYCLES TAKES DUCATI 916 REPLICA TANKS TO A NEW LIGHTWEIGHT, FUEL-PROOF LEVEL WITH PEERLESS ATTENTION TO DETAIL
The Massimo Tamburini designed Ducati 916 and its derivatives – the 748, 996 and 998 – are motorcycling icons. A swooping, sculpted fuel tank is central to their definitive style. However, age and ethanol are conspiring to corrode the steel originals from the inside out. UK-based metal masters, ETTO Motorcycles has a solution with its newly launched aluminium alternative.
At a featherlight 2.15kg, the ETTO tank is almost half the weight of the 4.19kg original. As well as being lighter and ethanol-proof, ETTO’s offering is the most accurate reproduction to date, the result of almost two years spent prototyping tooling and refining details.
The ETTO tank replicates the 15in wide upgraded unit Ducati developed after fitting a 16in unit to the earliest bikes. The ETTO tank also fits bikes that originally came with the wider tank.
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The ETTO offering is not the first aluminium tank to be developed for the 916 series. However, it can claim to be the most accurate with numerous features unique to ETTO. This is the first aluminium replica tank with a base made from a mere two sections. Complex tooling was developed so that 1.5mm thick 1050 aluminium could be drawn down to maintain its thickness during pressing. A two piece base also ensures strength, reduces the zone affected by welding heat, and contributes to weight-saving.
The entire top and sides are also made from just two pieces. Again, huge effort was expended to create the dies for these sections. Incredibly, only one weld is used to join them, minimising the heat affected zone. ETTO opted for a gas weld here, malleable enough to be planished on the English wheel. The result is an exceptional looking tank with few welds. To ensure accuracy of detail, the entire seam has been tipped to replicate the original tank.
The fuel pump is notoriously difficult to remove and refit on previously available replica tanks. The ETTO tank has a chamfered pump ring with stainless steel inserts to avoid damage to the aluminium ring when the pump is withdrawn. The blind threaded bosses have been recessed, as per the original tank, so that the OE bolts can be used.
ETTO has also included a drain plug boss. As with the pump ring, threaded bosses, breather tube and second skin for the TIG-welded rear bracket, the boss is aluminium brazed in place. Although super-strong, aluminium brazing is a notoriously tricky technique. Its difficulty is compounded when dealing with parts of different thicknesses and hence variable heat retention. ETTO rose to the challenge and others to realise the vision of the finest replica tank yet.
The first batch of four tanks are available now. Price is £2250 including Newton cap and Ariete breather.
CONTACT ETTO Motorcycles to place your order
Tel +44(0)7757 529203,
EMAIL info@ettomotorcycles.co.uk
