Date:
To:
From:

March 8th, 2018
Dealer Principal, General Manager, Service Manager, North American Dealer Network
Richard Kenton, Technical Director; Matthew Feinstein, Regulatory Compliance
Manager

Important: All Dealer Principals, Service Managers, and Parts Managers should read and initial this notice.
Dear Dealership Management,
Situation:

Ducati North America has determined the optimal location of the Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) Label. The location of the VIN Label is currently applied to the swinging arm; therefore, it is not as
close as possible to the intersection of steering post with the handle bars.

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Affected Units:
The list of VIN numbers involved in SRV-TSB-18-012 is attached, units within this population should be
checked for optimal VIN Label location. Units that arrive after March 16th have had this corrective action
performed.

Criteria for application of the technical solution on circulating motorcycles:
For the designated frame numbers referenced above, the VIN Labels must be relocated or replaced with the
new labels.
Additionally, the accompanying Owner’s Manual pages 26 and 28 must be overlaid using the self-adhesive
replacement page provided.

Limitation on warranty activation of certain vehicles:
Dealers must update affected units prior to warranty activation and sale. Owners of units retailed prior to
the release of this bulletin, will receive a letter with instructions to return to the purchasing dealer for
relocation of the VIN Labels. A sample letter is provided at the end of this bulletin.

Auto-ship replacement part:
There is no part number associated to this update. Applicable dealers will receive a separate letter from
Ducati North America containing the VIN labels and replacement Owner’s Manual pages for all units shipped
to your dealership based on allocation. Should you encounter problems with the labels you receive, please
contact the DNA Regulatory Compliance Manager at (650) 933-9837.

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Service Solution:
For the operation procedures, follow the instructions below:
1)

Locate the existing VIN labels, 6 and 7A, on the swinging arm of the motorcycle.

6

7A

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2)

Carefully remove the existing ‘Tamper Resistant’ double-layer VIN labels. It is possible that they will be
destroyed in the removal process and will leave behind residue that requires cleaning of the swinging
arm. Ensure that the old VIN labels and all evidence of their former location is completely removed.

3)

Clean the visible surface of the main (front) frame on both the left and right side of the motorcycle
using warm soapy water, to ensure good adhesion of the new VIN labels. Rinse thoroughly and verify
that the area is completely dry before proceeding. (See images below for clarity on the area to be
cleaned)

4)

Install the new VIN Labels as shown in the following images:

a. Label ‘6’ gets relocated to the right side of the motorcycle:

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b. Label ‘7A’ gets relocated to the Left side of the motorcycle:

5)

Locate the Owner’s Manual for the motorcycle. Apply the self-adhesive page included with the
Panigale V4 VIN Label Kit to completely cover the existing motorcycle image as below: (Fig 8 is Page
26, Fig 10 is Page 28)

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Warranty time allowance and reimbursement procedure:
Update procedure reimbursement will be issued through the standard warranty claim procedure via the
section Service Campaigns or Vehicle History of the DCS.
Ducati shall reimburse:
• for 12 minutes of labor time (2 labor units) that includes the time necessary for:
•
•
•
•
•

bike reception;
removal and cleaning of old labels;
prep and install of new labels;
update of the Owner’s Manual;
warranty claim processing;

• the relevant spare parts required to perform the update.
Customer notification:
Ducati North America, Inc. will notify all known owners of affected vehicles directly by First Class mail.
Please be proactive in reaching out to your V4 customers who have taken delivery of their bikes, we want to
ensure they continue to have a premium experience with their motorcycle. A sample copy of the owner
notification letter is enclosed for your information.
Please be reminded that all motorcycles in your inventory, and to be delivered to Customers, must be
updated during pre-delivery operations, and always before delivery to the final Customer. For retailed units,
the update must be performed upon the motorcycles’ arrival for service or repairs.
Dealer obligation:
This program is designed to complete the necessary repairs and to achieve owner satisfaction. Therefore, we
ask you to take prompt and courteous action in accordance with these directives. Please provide a copy of
this communication to every person in your dealership who has service or new-vehicle delivery related
responsibilities.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Richard Kenton
Technical Director - Ducati North America

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SAMPLE CUSTOMER
LETTER

IMPORTANT NOTICE
This notice applies to your vehicle: VIN

Date
Name
Address
City, St, Zip
Subject:
Ducati Motorcycle: 2018 Panigale V4, Panigale V4S, and Panigale V4 Speciale
Dealer Bulletin: SRV-TSB-18-012
Dear Ducati Owner,
Ducati North America has determined a more optimal location for the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Label on you motorcycle. The location of the VIN Label is currently applied to the swinging arm; therefore, it
is not as close as possible to the intersection of steering post with the handle bars.
What is wrong?
On your motorcycle, the VIN Labels must be relocated or replaced with new labels. Additionally, two
accompanying pages in your Owner’s Manual, page 26 and Page 28, must be overlaid using a new selfadhesive replacement page. All items will be provided to your dealer.
What will Ducati do?
To correct this condition, your authorized selling Ducati dealer will replace the VIN Labels on your
motorcycle and insert new pages in your Owner’s Manual reflecting the updated location.
Service Problem Help:
If you believe that your dealer has failed or is unable to perform the service within a reasonable period of
time, please contact Ducati North America Customer Care at 1 (888) 391-5446.
Sincerely,
Richard Kenton
Technical Director – Ducati North America

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