New Member thinking about buying a 88' 750 Paso. Advise?

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 12:37 am

Hello,
I am new to this site and love it so far. I am finding a lot of helpfull information. I am in the process of buying a 88' 750 Paso but want to get some ideas on any problems these bikes have or anything I should be looking for and how much to spend. I am hearing that tires may be a issue? 2 different kinds of carbs? Which one is better?
Any help or information that anyone could share would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for any info. Rick

persempre907 · Post by **persempre907** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:39 am

Welcome Rick,
the problems of these bikes (fully discussed in the forum, as you can see) are 3:
1) electrics: wires and junctions are very poor. To increase the reliability it needs increase the thick of the wires (ground, primarily), improve the junctions (many people weld it) and add some relay.
2) carburation: the stock Weber carburetor is very hard to tune: it can be replaced by a couple of Dellorto or Mikuni. The Mikuni perhaps is the best choice because they are stock on many Ducati (Monster and SS), so it's quite easy find them used.
3) tires: this is the greatest issue. The Paso 750 & 906 mount 16" tires, built only by Michelin (A/M 59x - 130/60r16 - 160/60r16). Those tires fit only on the Paso (if I well remember), so there isn't a big market for Michelin. Since they are very rare, many people fit the more available 130/70r16 - 150/80r16 or swap to 17" rims.

This is all.

Finally, you have to remember you are going to buy a 20 bike, so don't expect to find easy all the spare parts, even if it's quite simple to find a solution.

If you want to go into any of the issues above, you only have to search in the forum.

Ciao

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 12:19 pm

Hey, Thanks for all the great info. I will continue to go thru the forums and find out more info. I appreciate the information. Thanks again.

Rick

persempre907 · Post by **persempre907** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 1:56 pm

Hi Rick,
I hope you'll buy a Paso.... or perhaps, I have discouraged you....

Ciao

Post by **jcslocum** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 4:13 pm

Rick,

The most worriesome are covered in the FAQ at the top of the forum. Frankie has covered the top 3 tho.

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 1:40 am

Hey guys, Thanks for all the good advice. I think I am going to go take a look at a 88 750 Paso next weekend.

Question for you. Did all of the 88's come with the Weber carbs or did they change in mid year? Thinking this 88 will have the Webers and I will need to swap them out.

Thanks again. for the info. I will keep you posted on how it all turns out.

Rick

Post by **jcslocum** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 1:54 am

All of the 750's came with the Weber. You will want to ride for a bit before digging into a carb change. There are lots of things to sort before that gets to the top of your list.

Will this be your only bike? Remeber that it's a Ducati, a 20 year old Ducati. It's a fabulous motorcycle but it has quirks...

We are at your service to help keep the old girl alive.

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 2:46 am

Nope, Not my only bike. I also have a 84' Honda Nighthawk 700s (Black& Blue), 89 Kawasaki Ninja 600R and a 93 Yamaha Virago 750. But I will be looking to slim down a few this summer.

The 88 750 Paso I am loking at has 26k on it for miles and has never been laid down, So I am told. I am also told it could use a new back tire (I see there are some on e-bay btw, $199 free shipping) and the back brakes are spongy. asking price is $2500.00 usd. Any thoughts? I would post a pic but I have not figured that out yet.

Rick

persempre907 · Post by **persempre907** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:38 pm

Rick wrote:Did all of the 88's come with the Weber carbs

The Weber carb! There is only one carb!
If the only issue is the rear brake spongy (air in the line) you're very lucky!!!
I wish you was so.
$. 2500.00 is a good price.
Good luck.
Francesco

Desmo_Demon · Post by **Desmo_Demon** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 2:33 pm

Rick wrote:The 88 750 Paso I am loking at has 26k on it for miles and has never been laid down, So I am told. I am also told it could use a new back tire (I see there are some on e-bay btw, $199 free shipping) and the back brakes are spongy. asking price is $2500.00 usd. Any thoughts? I would post a pic but I have not figured that out yet.

Over the last year, I've seen the bulk of the Paso 750s on eBay going in the $1600-$2500 range. I recall one that had the GSXR 17" wheel conversion done to it, and it went for $1800 (it was somewhere around Atlanta). There is a blue one at the local Suzuki shop with less then 10,000 miles on it, but it is not in the best of shape, and they are still asking $2900. It's been sitting there for about 6 months that I know of. I bought mine, not running, for $900, and I'm already up to about $1800 and still haven't heard it run, so.......just look it over and make a judgement for yourself.

Despite needing a rear tire, it'll probably need a valve adjustment and a belt change, too......check the chain and sprockets. If those need replacing, you are looking at another $200+. The little stuff adds up.....new wheel bearings are $33-$45 each (you need four)....steering head bearings are $16-$40 (two needed)....some parts are obsolete, now, also......fortunately, the valve shims are the same as the newer 2V Ducati engines, and the belts are the same as the 90's Monster 750 engines, so those are readily available. If it has the Weber and needs some tweaking, many have noted that a fuel pressure regulator helps the bike run smoother. I believe carb rebuilt kits are fairly easy to get, but you may need to cross-reference it over to a car (not sure if Ducati still has the kits available).

If you get it and need any assistance, feel free to drop us a note. There are plenty of knowledgeable folks on this board who can help you out.

PascoPaso · Post by **PascoPaso** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 10:22 pm

I just bought my Paso from DucSoup, #754403. This site has done a very good job of the pointing out the most common problems with the Paso. #754403 has had some of these problems, mostly electrical connection issues. Also, to get my Paso running right I had to adjust the carbs after the wiring was repaired. The carbs are a Sudco Mikuni TM38 kit, without accelerator pumps. I would opt for a newer (ones with acc pumps) carb upgrade if possible and would advise that you look into that before you make your decision.

Happy Paso Owner, Mark

Post by **jcslocum** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 11:01 pm

$2500 is at the top 70% of the current prices. Could be a good deal if the bike is in good shape and very unmolested. Before buying pull the bodywork and inspect the mechanicals and wiring for visible problems or hatchet jobs.

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 5:51 am

Hey guys, Thanks for all the good advice.
I am being told by some people that the Paso will only run good at "100 mph" and does not like to go around town. Any thoughts on this?
I am going to check it out next weekend. I am being told the only changes to the bike are a corbin seat and a F by F Stainless Exhaust. Also the 2 scoops on the side panels are black. Is that a standard option on this bike? or maybe they could be repainted and/or replacments? Just wondering.

I will let you know more about her when I see her in person.

Thanks again Rick

persempre907 · Post by **persempre907** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 8:36 am

The old carbs Ducati (so also the earlier Monster, SS etc.) are hard to tune, so at low revs they are not too smooth.
My 907 already is smoother than my old 906 (same carb of 750) and runs quite well also from 2500/3000 RPM.
But, as you will see, the real luxury starts from 5000 RPM :lick:

!!
Therefore, I think they are being told it.

The side fairings have the upper side red, a little silver border, and down on the air intakes, they are painted black.
You can see it in the main page ducatipaso.org.
If the intakes are black, for sure they were so painted by the old owner.
The 906 had the lower side of fairing painted white, while the 907 were all painted red or black.
Ciao

Post by **paso750** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 3:02 pm

The old carbs Ducati (so also the earli ... smooth.

regarding the Mikuni used in SS/Monster I don`t agree. Sure low rev driving in`t extremely good on any carbed Ducati, but the Mikuni is already a big step away from the Weber`s behaviour at low speed. The next advantage is that if you set the Mikuni correct once it stays like that while with the Weber it seems that you adjust it, the bike runs good for some time, then you need to readjust and so on. The Mikuni needs way less maintainace.

G.