Soccer mom - parallel parking - Monster in the way - she tilts it of course.
Insurance company wants to weld the clamps instead of changing the engine block. Is welding going to do the job well?

(Even if so, I think my friend should get compensated for the lowered value of a welded bike, but that's not my business)

I would not accept this ,welding does all sorts of things to the surrounding and weakens it
Insurance company has to pay other wise see you in court 

I'm sure it can be done, but the trade off is it won't be to the original specs. Unless you can match the manufacturers heat treatments and tempering standards. By that it may make the aluminum more brittle and cause future cracking.  IMO

Pictures of damage?  It's much easier to assess what needs to be done to correct properly.

Have your friend bring it to a Ducati dealer to get "fixed".  Technically they are the only ones qualified to "fix it".  The insurance company will scream bloody murder once they see the repair bill. (case split and welding -or- replacement thereof w/labor charges)  Joe AutoBody isn't qualified to fix an engine case or do expert welding.

Problem with welding it isn't the metallury problem -- it's what goes on with the bearing / seals around everything and on the inside and how long it was welded (possible warping) and how deep the weld penetration required to repair.  Joe Welder can fix it but will have no clue what happens on the inside of the case if it hasn't been removed to assess. (rarely will he drain the oil either before welding) Insurance company writes the check and walks away.  Damage inside the case if discovered later is now the welders problem to deal with. (if he does at all) Insurance company already has "closed" the problem.

Sometimes it can be easily fixed also by boring the hole(s) bigger and putting a Time-Sert (thread insert repair kit) within.

The point at which the kickstand bracket mounts to the crankcase is highly stressed, I would not advise a weld repair.
As recommended, take the bike to a Ducati dealer, you will get new cases.

It is the two brackets ('07 S2R) on the engine case that are gone. (no pictures, out of town)

The head tech at the most competent dealer in our (small) country said without a doubt: new engine case! The insurance company will of course try to avoid this and go the cheapest route. I'm concerned with the exact same issues you guys mention - after all it's very close to internal parts, not to mention the swing arm. If my friend should ever decide to sell, wouldn't you expect a buyer to look elsewhere for a bike without semi-good repairs?

I will pass on your advice to my friend and urge him to put up a fight!

Better to let the dealer put up the fight with the insurance company.

Is this like "my friend" says it burns when he pees?
Welding or plating will work just fine but your insurence company has to replace it, not repair it. Try to get the old stuff back & you'll have the start of a nice new(ish) motor.

Are you sure it was a soccer mom, and not just that your friend (ahem) forgot to lift the sidestand before nailing it into the first left hander?

Quote from: Norm on July 21, 2008, 08:10:05 AM
Is this like "my friend" says it burns when he pees?
Welding or plating will work just fine but your insurence company has to replace it, not repair it. Try to get the old stuff back & you'll have the start of a nice new(ish) motor.

Really my friend, yes - I never park between cars 

Quote from: Hedgehog on July 21, 2008, 09:13:06 AM
Are you sure it was a soccer mom, and not just that your friend (ahem) forgot to lift the sidestand before nailing it into the first left hander?

Not totally sure it was a soccer mom, but it WAS a woman - and NO it wasn't me 

My friend will get a sweet deal if he accepts the welding repair and has chosen to do so.

we had one welded by a good bike guy and it leaked.  we then had to recase it - it would have been written off initially, so the insurance company was a bit pissed off.

i've seen other bikes from elsewhere with welds and the same weeps/leaks in the area.  i wouldn't weld one for a paying customer, but i might try it on my own bike coz i'm a real tight arse.  but then again ebay cases are usually so cheap you wouldn't bother.

if they weld it, try running some wick in loctite from the back when it's all done too.  it might help.

Quote from: brad black on July 25, 2008, 09:44:36 PM

coz i'm a real tight arse. 

I know from TOB that you're also VERY knowledgeable, so I value your advice

Quote from: brad black on July 25, 2008, 09:44:36 PM

it would have been written off initially, so the insurance company was a bit pissed off.

Bike prices here are almost three times higher than for example in the US. Much will be tried before a write off.

so this ladies insurance company wants to take the cheap way out?  no way?

if i broke it myself i would have it welded and live with it.  if it was someone else, they would be buying a new case. 

the bike should be fixed to the condition it was in before the lady ran it over.  period.

My friend worked it out with the insurance company. They accepted to let him have his bike worked on for the same amount as it would have cost to replace the engine cases plus painting the tank - parts and labour. Are you sitting down? $ 10,000 (Yes, ten thousand US dollars)

I think that is a good settlement.

Quote from: stopintime on August 17, 2008, 02:59:14 PM
My friend worked it out with the insurance company. They accepted to let him have his bike worked on for the same amount as it would have cost to replace the engine cases plus painting the tank - parts and labour. Are you sitting down? $ 10,000 (Yes, ten thousand US dollars)

I think that is a good settlement.

Yeah... I just got $ 3,400 for my "old man backed into the parked bike" settlement.