750 Paso model changes

[redmidget]

I am new to the world of Paso and trying to understand what cosmetic changes were made to the model during its life (if any). All the documentation I have seen shows the Paso as it is on the front page of the forum, ie red seat, polished alloy top fork plate and handlebar mounts and chrome grabhandle but I am aware that there are a number of variations on the theme. Is there any method to this or is it just individuals who have made changes to their bikes during the course of their ownership?

I know that there were blue models and Limited Editions but my particular interest is in the standard red model as I am trying to get mine back to as close to original as possible.

Is there a source document that tracks the model changes?

[persempre907]

There were some little differences in the decals (the decal "controlled air flow" was lost in the last versions) and in the mufflers which on the later Paso were no more "bottle" shape, but cylindrical.
It doesn't seem to me there were others modifications.
Ciao

[mike]

what's the VIN on your red bike? the last 6 digits?

[paso750]

the first Pasos had as you say silver triple clamps, steering halves and a chromed passenger grabhandle. (the upper triple clamp was not polished, at least mine wasn`t)
On later 750 Pasos these parts were black.
But Ducati often took what was in the shelf so you find later bikes that came with all parts mentioned above in black while the lower triple clamp was silver. Other bikes have the lower triple clamp in black also.
The difference in the stickers and exhaust was mentioned.

early Paso


later Paso


The AGIP and italian flag stickers ar not original, the rest looks to be.
Not sure which 750s came with a red seat I know that only from pictures. I`ve only seen 750s with black seats.

G.

[mike]

all red 750s came with red seats. all blue and white 750s came with black seats.

[Finnpaso]

All red 750 Pasos came with red seat and looks, that Gerhards foto "later version" DONT have NOT original pipes, those are from 91 907. Also 906 had samekind mufflers, than that "early version"750. Such original 750/906 pipes have at least 2 versions: with small output hole diameter and with large(40mm). Normally all usa versioans had those smaler hole pipes with smaler headers, but remember, that Ducati offered also performance kit to Pasos, what is explaned in Falloons book. Limited edition had those "40mm output hole" pipes. In those pipes read, that: "only for closed course, not meet EPA standarts"

[Desmo_Demon]

early Paso


later Paso

I have a spare set of fairings, and they appear to be from an early and a later 750. The lower color on the fairings appears to be a lighter, metallic grey color, whereas the newer is darker, almost metallic black. I have no reason to think any of these spare fairings have been repainted, and Gerhard's pictures appear to have the two different colors, also.

[paso750]

DONT have NOT original pipes, those are from 91 907

thanks for that. I was sure that newer 750 Pasos already had that exhaust, but you`re right, they didn`t.
Also that red bikes only came with red seats I didn`t know

G.

[Finnpaso]

Dont worry G-man, all is ok!

[paso750]

[Marinus]

Mike got me back. I've been locked out from the time the site crashed. Thanks to Mike for the hard work.

My Bike is a later one. It has date stamps from 88 on the ignition and other parts. I do have the polished triple clamp and the grab handle is also polished aluminum not chrome. The gun metal paint is also very dark almost black. ( but been repainted)
I was talking to a BMW dealer who had been a Ducati dealer for 20 years and had been through the factory several times. He did not think it was a picture of efficiency. Maybe one of the reasons Ducati parts are hard to get is because if they have any left over they find something else to put them on until there aren't.

[Finnpaso]

Welcome back, Marinus!

[mike]

the earliest pasos were a darker red (almost blood red) and the later ones (even just as late as about #1200) the red got lighter, brighter. I've owned one of each. The 2 bikes side by side were noticeably different in colour.

the bike in the foreground is a later '87, the bike in the background is an early '87, #1090.



another interesting tidbit: the earliest of pasos were NOT painted black on the inside of the windscreen... it was red, painted rough fibreglass.

another bit: the clearcoat finish on the wheels of the earliest of pasos had a tendency to yellow and peel. the oscam finishing process improved greatly over the years.

I have *heard* that the red changed due to laws regarding the highly toxic cadmium toners in paints in the 80s. Can anyone confirm or deny this?

[Finnpaso]

This all is one very big "mesh", so again have to say, that they make Pasos those times just from such parts, what they managed to find from garrage shelves.... Near every Paso is somekind "unik bike", what they leave out from factory...

[paso750]

other small changes were that later Pasos had golden rocker arm covers. These engine already had the removable clip for easier valve clearance adjustment like the Supersports.
Very early 750s came with the Öhlins rear shock while then it was switched to a Marzocchi unit.

Mike,
I`ve never seen a Paso with the inner part of the windscreen black, but as it seems there`s more than one thing I didn`t see yet
Are you sure about the different red ? As far as I know it only changed from 1990 on. My own Paso is a California bike (but with Kokusan, nor Marelli ignition) and although all stickers look like new the colour is faded from the sun and goes more towards orange than red (like your front one). If ie. the tailfairing is removed one can see that it originally was a much brighter red. Couldn`t this be the case on one of your bikes also ?

G.