to start, and then only when I made the spark to the top angled cylinder intermittent for a few minutes. Cylinder might have been carboned up or something, or flooded, don't know. After I had it running for a few though I could put the plug wire all the way onto the plug and it seemed fine.
Choke seems to be fine.
Let's see... Not sure the system is charging yet.
Ok, so, step one, find out if bike will even start has been done.
Oh, I have two sets of wheels now, stock and mags, original owner found some bits.
Obviously the bike has not been running for a while, fuel (gas pump) lamp is on and won't go off, since there is a gallon plus in the tank I don't know what that's about.
Idle seems high sometimes, engine could run smoother maybe, but note I've never seen a Duc run before, so I have no baseline. Anyone in Indiana that knows these bikes outside the dealership???
Got the bike started - really, really didn't want
- Skins
- paso grand pooh-bah
- Posts: 1304
- Joined: Tue Oct 26, 2004 12:00 am
- model: 750 Paso
- year: 1988
- Location: Kapiti, New Zealand
Re: Got the bike started - really, really didn't want

It's not a good idea to run the motor with a plug lead disconnected, or, if it is disconnected, without it being earthed - doing so can damage an ignition control unit.
Sounds like the fuel warning light is stuck on because the sensor mechanism in the tank has had no exercise. It is easy to remove and work on. You may have to replace the float if it's leaking. By adjusting the angle of the float on it's arm, the gauge can be made to read accurately. That can take an hour or two of experimentation, but it's worth it.
Re: Got the bike started - really, really didn't want
Ya, in regard to pulling the plug wires, the Bevelhead group told me the same thing.
Grrrr.
"The tires are brand new (really), and I came home tonight after letting the bike sit cold for six hours and it started right off.
The electronics die if you pull the plug wires? Yuck. Have to remember that. That's stupid, it's a hundred year old diagnostic procedure. Meh. Silly transistorized ignition.
Gotta change the oil tomorrow.
On Sun, Aug 3, 2008 at 6:30 PM, Steve Craven <> wrote:
Best way to kill your Paso ignition is pull plug wires,don't do it. Or you will have an expensive piece of furniture.
There is a growing list of Paso owners looking for a replacement Digiplex.
As the bike does not have a reserve tap the low fuel light should come on with 5lts remaining,.
Take the fuel cap off and lift the fuel gauge float to see if light goes out.
And vintage bikes usually comes with acetylene lighting.
Idle should be 1100/1200 rpm have you balanced carbs, if it has dual 36s follow same procedure as for bevel. A bit more difficult as the tank needs to be in place.
There is a Paso group on yahoo that should be able to answer all your questions.
Because your going to be needing tyres."
Grrrr.
"The tires are brand new (really), and I came home tonight after letting the bike sit cold for six hours and it started right off.
The electronics die if you pull the plug wires? Yuck. Have to remember that. That's stupid, it's a hundred year old diagnostic procedure. Meh. Silly transistorized ignition.
Gotta change the oil tomorrow.
On Sun, Aug 3, 2008 at 6:30 PM, Steve Craven <> wrote:
Best way to kill your Paso ignition is pull plug wires,don't do it. Or you will have an expensive piece of furniture.
There is a growing list of Paso owners looking for a replacement Digiplex.
As the bike does not have a reserve tap the low fuel light should come on with 5lts remaining,.
Take the fuel cap off and lift the fuel gauge float to see if light goes out.
And vintage bikes usually comes with acetylene lighting.
Idle should be 1100/1200 rpm have you balanced carbs, if it has dual 36s follow same procedure as for bevel. A bit more difficult as the tank needs to be in place.
There is a Paso group on yahoo that should be able to answer all your questions.
Because your going to be needing tyres."
Re: Got the bike started - really, really didn't want
PS - Are replacement electronics boxes available if the ignition system (Digiplex?) dies?
- Skins
- paso grand pooh-bah
- Posts: 1304
- Joined: Tue Oct 26, 2004 12:00 am
- model: 750 Paso
- year: 1988
- Location: Kapiti, New Zealand
Re: Got the bike started - really, really didn't want

One of the ignition boxes I'm using comes from a 900ss, I believe. It's a second-hand unit I got from the parts guy at my local Ducati dealer a few years ago. It was priced at NZD100, but I swapped some artwork for it.
- ducapaso
- paso grand pooh-bah
- Posts: 1097
- Joined: Sun Aug 01, 2004 12:00 am
- model: 750 Paso
- year: 1988
- Location: siena, italy
- Contact:
Re: Got the bike started - really, really didn't want
Digiplex are often used on 906 and you can saerch in a fiat/lancia/alfa romeo /marelli dealer, while "black boxes" for 705 ignition are made by kokusan and they're available in the net:Dana wrote:PS - Are replacement electronics boxes available if the ignition system (Digiplex?) dies?
http://search.stores.ebay.it/Electrex-W ... 26QQsofpZ0
Have a nice work, and...
have a nice ride, Nicola
Black "DUKE" 751582
ex...Red "smooth" 753349
Black "DUKE" 751582
ex...Red "smooth" 753349

- paso750
- paso grand pooh-bah
- Posts: 5568
- Joined: Sun Jul 18, 2004 12:00 am
- model: 750 Paso
- year: 1987
- Location: southern Germany
Re: Got the bike started - really, really didn't want
There were also 750 Pasos with Digiplex ignition. guess you better ask the 906 guys then.
If you have the Kokusan ignition that is used on most Supersport, Monsters, Cagiva Elefant etc the number on the modules is BB1105. These are sold quite often on ebay.
G.
If you have the Kokusan ignition that is used on most Supersport, Monsters, Cagiva Elefant etc the number on the modules is BB1105. These are sold quite often on ebay.
G.
- ducapaso
- paso grand pooh-bah
- Posts: 1097
- Joined: Sun Aug 01, 2004 12:00 am
- model: 750 Paso
- year: 1988
- Location: siena, italy
- Contact:
Re: Got the bike started - really, really didn't want
You mean the "californian market" ones?paso750 wrote:There were also 750 Pasos with Digiplex ignition. guess you better ask the 906 guys then.
G.
Never happened to see their ignition plant, but I'm quite courious!
have a nice ride, Nicola
Black "DUKE" 751582
ex...Red "smooth" 753349
Black "DUKE" 751582
ex...Red "smooth" 753349

- Desmo_Demon
- paso grand pooh-bah
- Posts: 869
- Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2006 12:00 am
- model: 750 Paso
- year: 1987
- Location: Easley, SC
- Contact:
Re: Got the bike started - really, really didn't want
If your fuel level sending unit and float assembly is shot, I've got a spare that I believe works. My original one is so rusty it's trash, so I bought one off of eBay only to discover later that I'd get another gas tank with a good unit in the tank. Also, if I remember correctly, the gasket for the fuel level sending unit is no longer available, so you'll need to be careful when removing it and possibly use a sealant when you put it back together.Dana wrote:Obviously the bike has not been running for a while, fuel (gas pump) lamp is on and won't go off, since there is a gallon plus in the tank I don't know what that's about.
2002 Ducati 748 monoposto
1998 Ducati ST2
1996 Suzuki GSXR-1100
1994 Bimota DB2
1988 MegaPaso 916 project
1987 Ducati Paso 750
1985 Harley FXEF
2001 Ducati M900ie (wife's)
2000 Yamaha YZF-R1 (wife's)
1998 Ducati ST2 (wife's)
1994 Suzuki GSX-750R (wife's)
1998 Ducati ST2
1996 Suzuki GSXR-1100
1994 Bimota DB2
1988 MegaPaso 916 project
1987 Ducati Paso 750
1985 Harley FXEF
2001 Ducati M900ie (wife's)
2000 Yamaha YZF-R1 (wife's)
1998 Ducati ST2 (wife's)
1994 Suzuki GSX-750R (wife's)