Ducati GT 1000 and SportClassic Fuel Line Problem

UPDATE: March 7, 2007 - Ducati Sport Classic Fuel Line Recall Now Official
The U.S. Department of Transportation, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an official recall (print version) through its Office of Defects Investigation.  The recall covers the 2007 Ducati SportClassics, including the GT1000, Paul Smart and Sport 1000 models.  Here's a copy of the recall notice:

Summary:
On certain motorcycles, the fasteners from the fuel line to the fuel filler were not tightened properly. The fuel pump hose inside the fuel tank may separate from the fuel filter. This condition will stop the engine from running.

Consequence:
If the engine stopped while the motorcycle was being driven, it could increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy:
Dealers will replace the fuel pump to fuel filter hose and fasteners to prevent the engine from stopping. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule.

Owners may contact Ducati at 1-800-424-9153.

Notes:
Ducati Recall No. RCL 07-002. Customers may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to http://www.safercar.gov

September 25, 2006 - Some owners are reporting that they have experienced the "dreaded fuel line failure" problem with the Ducati GT 1000, the Paul Smart 1000 and the Sport 1000.

Apparently, the problem is caused when one or more fuel lines attached to the fuel pump inside the tank comes loose due to either a missing or loose clamp from the factory.

We're considering whether we should remove the tank on our Ducati GT1000 (see the blog for tank removal info) to take a look for ourselves, but it doesn't seem like a very straightforward job.

In the meantime, the diagrams below are taken from the Ducati Sportclassic parts manual, which is available as a download from the Ducati site (see instructions and the link on our Sportclassics Parts & Accessories page) to at least illustrate where the problem might be.  If anyone can tell use exactly which lines in the diagram below are the cause of the problem, or if you have more information or photos and a story on how to check this, please contact us at

More:  Here's our GT1000 Review page, Rick's Ducati GT 1000 Blog and the Sportclassics Parts & Accessories Page
 

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