Paso'd out

ToolboxPaul · Post by **ToolboxPaul** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 4:04 am

So this is the sob story: My dad picked up an '87 Paso 10 years ago on a whim. I was a motorcycle mechanic so I was stoked he finally owned a sport bike and could ride with me. Well as any ducatiste can attest to, owning a ducati is a labor of love, blood, sweat, and tears. Together we have maintained and modified it to the bike he loves more than any other bike he's ever owned. Unfortunately I had to move and the local Honda shop I worked at can't keep the meticulous eye on it that I could. Parts are becoming scarce too, which has forced some engineering changes on it too. Now there are scratches in the fork sliders that are causing the forks to leak. This happened because the Michelin that was installed had necessitated a front fender relocation. This was done by the guys at that shop and they failed to see the chaffing it caused the forks, and now they're ruined. I feel that this bike has gone beyond the ability of my dad and the locals to care for it. I am of the opinion it needs a new home, even if that means as a parts bike. Unless someone has some magical idea, we're getting ready to sell it, and what better place to start than the .org that loves them right? I'll wait a few days before posting it to the classifieds while I research ideas. But in the mean time (before I get photos up) here is what it is:

1987 750 Paso
Clean Title
Keihin flatslide carbs
K&N Pod airfilters
Recovered seat (tailored fit in red)
Euro taillight
Bubs pipes
Honda reg/rectifier (TRX300)
Honda turn signal relay

Desmo_Demon · Post by **Desmo_Demon** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 12:45 pm

Shame you can't keep the bike. Your fork issues are the actual sliders and not the tubes with the problem, right? Any way to clean the sliders up to cure the problem? If the tubes are messed up, there are companies that can rechrome them or even make you brand new ones at a reasonable price. I may even have a complete M1R front-end becoming available in the future, but whatever you do, don't part the bike out. I'm getting sooooo tired of older Ducatis, that can easily be repaired, being parted out.

persempre907 · Post by **persempre907** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 1:08 pm

I agree completely.
The Marzocchi M1R is a very common fork in the '80 and '90, so the spare parts are available and also it possible to find some good used ones.
So, if you have decided to part it out, OK, I don't agree but you are the owner.
But, if you part it out because of the rust or some damage on the sliders :toofar: :toofar: :toofar: :toofar: :toofar: .
I hope for you and for your father you'll save your Paso

.
Ciao

ToolboxPaul · Post by **ToolboxPaul** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 6:53 pm

Yeah, the thing runs like a champ, but it is so hard to get parts for anymore. Thanks for the idea of re-chroming the sliders, I'll check into that for sure. I'm not going to part it out either, whole thing goes or stays, parting it out is up to the future owner. The problem is I'm not around anymore to maintain it, so as it becomes more geriatric, my dad, who is becoming more geriatric too, can't tinker with it, and can't find anyone dedicated enough to tinker either.

Desmo_Demon · Post by **Desmo_Demon** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 7:09 pm

Where are you located? Never know, you may have someone fairly local from this board that wouldn't mind helping out.

ToolboxPaul · Post by **ToolboxPaul** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 10:39 pm

I'm in Denver, my dad and the bike are in Iowa City

Post by **jcslocum** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 12:16 am

Forking by Frank can make you new tube quite reasonably. Re chroming is expensive and if not done perfectly may cause more problems than it cures.

The Paso isn't THAT maintenance intensive. Once the carbs and electrics are sorted it's no more difficult than any other bike.

ToolboxPaul · Post by **ToolboxPaul** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 10:12 pm

Thanks for the tip, I really appreciate it. I think I may try keep the old girl going a few more seasons. Pasos may not be that maintenance intensive compared to other Ducatis, but it is certainly more intensive than a Japanese bike of the same era. I know that's almost blasphemy in this forum, but I have had my share of experiences. Regardless, I feel y'all have inspired some life back into that bike, and my thanks go out to all of you. One more thing- anyone know where we could purchase some correct size tires for that? After all that was the situation that started this problem.

Desmo_Demon · Post by **Desmo_Demon** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 5:40 pm

ToolboxPaul wrote:One more thing- anyone know where we could purchase some correct size tires for that? After all that was the situation that started this problem.

There's been rear tires listed quite frequently on eBay. I think I know of a front that is located in the Boone, NC area. If you are interested, I can get the guy's email address when I go back to work in the morning.

fishbone · Post by **fishbone** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 2:52 am

If ToolboxPaul doesn't want it, I would be interested.