1987 Ducati Paso 750 Project

[veefer800canuck]

Very nice, I've been watching all your installments as they became available. I love old bike rescue stories.


And now I'm waiting with baited breath for this one to begin:

http://www.desmodemon.com/mega_paso/

[spinalator]

Good work, I forgot about your little obsession!  

[Desmo Demon]

And now I'm waiting with baited breath for this one to begin:

http://www.desmodemon.com/mega_paso/

Another couple of months, once I get the engine in the frame and the front and rear suspsensions mounted, and I'll start making webpages for that project. I recently had an ST4 swingarm modified to use with the ST4 engine and using the stock Paso rear suspension linkage. I want to see if that will work before I become too committed.

[veefer800canuck]

Another couple of months, once I get the engine in the frame and the front and rear suspsensions mounted, and I'll start making webpages for that project. I recently had an ST4 swingarm modified to use with the ST4 engine and using the stock Paso rear suspension linkage. I want to see if that will work before I become too committed.

Has anyone ever done this (mega paso), or are you Boldly Going Where No Man Has Gone Before?

[Desmo Demon]

Has anyone ever done this (mega paso), or are you Boldly Going Where No Man Has Gone Before?

I don't think I've ever seen a project as far removed from the original as the one I'm planning. I've seen a few pictures, and am trying to avoid some of, what appears to be, failed attempts, while using some of the ideas that seemed to work. If all goes right, it'll be a FI 916 with USD Showa forks and 17" wheels. Here are a few pictures of similar type projects I've seen on the 'net...

Here's one with an 888 engine in it that appears to be a nice conversion. I think this is the only radical conversion that I've seen completed...












Here's one where they butched the frame...IIRC, this bike was never finished and was parted out...

[photomd]

It sure is "The Store". That is my local hang-out. It's 17 miles from my driveway.  

You suck (I'm jealous).  

[drsmig]

Congrats on your Paso project.  It appears to have turned out very well.  It is a lovely looking example of what is becoming a very rare bike.  I love the seat.  Did it come with the bike or did you choose it.  Can you tell me a bit about it?  Is it something you had customized or is it an aftermarket saddle that was purchased for the bike?  The red trim looks great on the red bike.

[Desmo Demon]

 I love the seat.  Did it come with the bike or did you choose it.  Can you tell me a bit about it?  Is it something you had customized or is it an aftermarket saddle that was purchased for the bike?  The red trim looks great on the red bike.

It is a Corbin seat that came with a rolling chassis that I picked up during the process of trying to get the first bike back on the road. You can custom order the material and colors for the Corbin if you want one. I think they run around $377 IIRC from the last time I checked into them for the Paso.

[colt45]

From what I've read from those who have done the conversion, the front is fairly easy. Basically raising the stock fender 3/4" and making some simple brackets for the brake calipers if converting over to 320mm rotors and newer brake calipers. A spacer may need to be made, also.
The rear isn't too bad either. Basically needing to make a bracket for the brake caliper and possibly make a spacer or two to make sure the chain and sprockets are aligned properly. If a low-profile tire is run on the rim (160/60-17), you have to make sure that the axle is in the rear-most half of it's adjustment to make sure that the center of the tire doesn't rub on the swingarm.
 
At least one person has swapped a Paso 907 swingarm on theirs, and a few people have had their stock swingarm extended 2"-6" (geometry and rear shock may need some work for correct handling). I'm working on obtaining a swingarm from a 750 that had the sprocket bolts work loose and grind through the swingarm. I'm thinking of getting it repaired and add a 2" extension. This will allow me more variety of tires and can run a slightly higher profile tire...if the bike's geometry and handling characteristics allow it.
 Yes, those are the correct sizes, and right now, there is only one manufacturer and one tire available in those sizes. They are the Michelin A59 (front) and M59 (rear). I picked up a set for $195 delivered to my door off of eBay, which is one reason why I'm going to run the bike in it's stock configuration.....wear out the tires and get a baseline as to how the bike is supposed to handle before I go modifying anything with the wheels and suspension.  

Talk to Kosman Specialties  http://www.kosman.net/  about welding on a pair of 17" rims on your wneels.  They did a GREAT job on the rear wheel of my Concours, now 17".  I went from a 150/80-16 on 16x3.5 to a 170/60-17 on a 17x5 rim.  The wheel was $495 delivered + powdercoating, for about $600 total.  

[Desmo Demon]

Good work, I forgot about your little obsession!  

I'm a glutton for punishment. I just picked this up on Friday. It has a weird stumbling/stuttering issue that shows up every now and again. It'll be a pretty good deal if I can fix it.....



I put over 650 miles on it since Friday......I was....um...."troubleshooting" it.