50% curiosity, 25% I want to learn how to do this before winter, 25% I am getting behavior that makes me suspect a loose connection, but how do I get at the fricken thing? Do I really need to take off all of the plastic and the airbox to get at the connections? Am I seeing things that the battery is under the gas tank with no easy access to it? [bang]
Some please show me the error in my ways! Manual has been less than helpful, unless I am missing something in there too.
Thanks!!!
Mike
Hope its not on top of the motor like my old bike. If thats the case, have fun unbolting the tank..If I were you I would download the parts catalogue off the ducati website. Its proves helpful in figuring out these things with its exploded diagrams.
from what i understand, you will have to take all that tank crap apart
here is a link to the parts catalog
http://www.ducati.com/en/bikes/service/parts/2008.jhtml?family=parts
take the center and side panels off the "tank" then move the gas tank. it's under there.
From looking at the parts catalogue:
There's a single bolt that comes up from the bottom at the rear of the tank.
Remove that and you should be able to lift the rear of the tank up and slide the tank rearward to disengage the prongs at the front of the tank.
There'a a plastic cover over the fuel lines on the bottom of the tank, there's 2 nuts that hold that cover to the tank.
It appears that if you remove that, you can unhook the fuel line quick-disconnects and the electrical plug.
Then you should be able to lift the tank off.
I think all of the 'bodywork' panels can stay attached to the tank.
<Disclaimer>
I haven't had a 696 in my hands, so YMMV.
</Disclaimer>
Thanks all, I tried to get the tank covers off but one side was being fussy. I think you are right that I may be able to do it without tanking those off. I guess I will have to take a ride after work to empty out the tank (just filled up), darn. Sounds like I may have a good project for the weekend.
Mike
No real need to empty the tank, but it'll make lifting and handling easier.