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Re: Chopper conversion
Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 1:02 pm
by jcslocum
The Indy has a very similar frame to the Paso. Kinda ugly square tube. Very close to the Elefant frame which might make an interesting project. Here's a company that uses the Duc engine and makes their own choppers
http://www.13choppers.com

Re: Chopper conversion
Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 4:33 pm
by DonaldoDuck
SSSHHH be quiet! He does not have to know that. lol!

Anyway the Indy is a better starting point to make a chopper is what my point was... much better than any Paso. But good luck finding an Indiana to do that with as I am sure that they are more rare any Paso.
Yeah, the 13 choppers are COOL! I wonder how many of them are within the $5000 budget?
Re: Chopper conversion
Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 3:03 am
by jcslocum
DonaldoDuck wrote: But good luck finding an Indiana to do that with as I am sure that they are more rare any Paso.

Here are some pics of my Indiana
http://picasaweb.google.com/slocumjon/86Indiana
Re: Chopper conversion
Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 3:22 pm
by DonaldoDuck
If it walks like a Duc, talks like a Duc, sounds like a Duc.... it must be a Duc. Sweet Indiana! They have to be one of the rarest. How many were built? I have seen another in person when I lived in CA. Now I am just back in Indiana.

Re: Chopper conversion
Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 7:07 pm
by jcslocum
DonaldoDuck wrote:They have to be one of the rarest. How many were built?
259 brought here to the USA. I doubt there can be more the 100 remaining.
Re: Chopper conversion
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 10:24 am
by persempre907
As I already told, here in Italy the Indianas had very bad luck.
When someone used to want (they say so in a good English?) some Italian choppers, used to buy the Guzzis, as the California or the 350/650/750 C (later named Nevada).
So, here in Italy you could pick a good Indiana up for fewest bucks.
And, I also am every time a little bit surprised about your interest on that bike.
Perhaps, you are Ducati fan more than many Italian people.
Ciao

Re: Chopper conversion
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 6:05 pm
by Max
The Indiana is far from what I have in mind. I want to make a Ducati chooper that raise eyebrows. It must carry the name Ducati with respect. Los Angeles is filled with choppers crusing up and down and a Ducati Chopper would really stand out. I remeber when I first got my Paso in 1988 I went down the Sunset Blvd in Hollywood area and there was a croud of motorcyclists parked on the side and when they saw my Paso, the jaws wear dropped. Gosh, that felt so good.
Re: Chopper conversion
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 9:23 pm
by Skins
Yes, that's good English, Frankie.
I dunno, Max, I don't know .... but I guess if you must, you must
Re: Chopper conversion
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 12:44 am
by Tamburinifan
It`s your bike & your life so do what you want.
But I haven`t seen any good looking custom conversions so far.
Tank & frame limits alot.
But go crazy!

Re: Chopper conversion
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 4:50 am
by gail
Never discourage creativity, the only thing that will be dodgy about a Ducati chopper will be the handling.
Ducati CHIPCHOP:
Ducati SLIKKCHOP
Ducati CROPCHOP

This Squarecase looks like a Howler!!!!
Ducati EBAYTHINGOCHOP
Looks like fun!!!...............They're still Ducatis.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Marty
Re: Chopper conversion
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 5:37 am
by Skins
Hmm ... Well, yes, I must admit it does look like fun. Go for it, Max. Having had a good look at an Indiana in the flesh, and although I liked it, I guessed you wanted something a little more exotic.
When I was a young fellow, I once rode a blokes chopper, a Triumph Bonnie with forks about six feet long, and it was interesting ...
Re: Chopper conversion
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 6:55 am
by Max
Thanks guys for having merci on me. We all do get some crazy ideas here and there. So, as a team we should stick together and give this madness some direction.
Gail, thanks for the pictures. The heart of Ducati is beating in those machines.
Skins, are you coming out of the closet too?

I wonder how a six feet fork steers on a bike.
Re: Chopper conversion
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 5:47 pm
by Skins
Well, it was more than thirty years ago, and I don't remember that much about the bike. It was only a short ride - I remember being somewhat apprehensive about the front end. It was nowhere near as well-built as the examples above seem to be. However I reckon that if any motor can look good in a chopper, it was the old Triumph Bonneville.
Re: Chopper conversion
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 8:40 pm
by persempre907
Re: Chopper conversion
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:44 pm
by ducinthebay
Chopping a Duc, I can see that.
Chopping a Paso, I would pass. the frame is ugly, and the front wheel is all wrong, althought the rear wheel is OK. You are kind of stuck with the bars, as the forks are a very odd size, and a new upper tripple clamp is a lot of work. I don't see good chopper material in the Paso, but hey, maybe you do.
a Monster or SS or Elephant would be better starting points. 750s go for cheap, especially if they are ugly.
Speaking of cheap, have you seen the price of 98 ST2? Theres a good starting point. a beat up Pantah is a good starting point also.
The Paso offers no good advantage for a chopper over the other models, except that you already have it.
Cheers,
Phil