ducatipaso.org

Hi Folks,
I just wanted after a few years to ra-activate my Paso750 and faced soon with the tire problem. The tire which I have mounted is almost new, but I belive almost 10 years old.
First I mailed Ducati Switzerland, once, twice, no reply. Then I tried it at Ducati.com, just a stupid answer, to put it straigth in words: No interest throw it away. Shitty service, dont await any help from there. I belive If they would put some effort on it, we still would have tires.
Next solution move to 17", just to comlicated and to expensive. In adittion I probabely would not pass the official control Inspection (MFK), where I have to show up befor I can drive it again. And releases are rather difficult to get (no release from Ducati).
Therfore I just searched for similar tire dimensions, an found several 180/60/16 tires (mainly Touring tires for Gold Wing) which fit on the Paso rear wheel (5")
I afterwards sized the situation out on my Paso. Swingarm O.K. wide enough. Altitude taff (180/60/16 is 12mm higer than the 160/60/16), but if you put the weel in the middle position or behind, it should work. Chain: problem!!! There is just about 5mm space between Chain and tire.
Solution: Put a spacer (7-8mm) at the inside of the Chain Sprocket (Ritzel) to get it to the left (from behind), organise a big ring washer to fix the sprocket. The axle has a thred inside, so you just need the matching screw.
At the rear you put spacers (5-6mm) inbetween the weel and the Crown (on the screws). That should be enough to have a little space (2-3mm) between the chain and the 180 tire. I know it's not much ....but should work.
The only thing which I do not really know is how the tires behave....
The tire options are:
-Bridgestone G 704 180/60 R16 TL 74H special für die Honda Gold Wing GL1800 ; Radial; up to 210
-Dunlop D 250 180/60 R16 TL 74H M/C; Radial; up to 210
-DUNLOP ELITE 3 REAR TIRE 180/60-16 - SR180-16 RADIAL up to 210
-two Avons which i did not like much..
I just asked a Gold Wing dealer weather he could recomend one of the tires, but he ment they are more or less the same. I prefer Dunlop, but I think that's something which has to be figured out how the tires behave on a Paso. I belive should not be a problem, I anywav never liked the original michelin ... no grip before tey really had the temperature (on could asphalt almost impossible), like driving on soap on wet conditions.
In front I would suggest a 130/70/16. There are several nice tires available. I always used to mout a 120/80/16 which was a very good solution, but ther are no Radials anymore available in that dimension.
So, thats the suggestion I have. I belive very easy solution,(just nees a few spacers, a ring washer) , and should be not very expensive. The Risk is approx. 300$ (250 tire, 50 Spacers/Ring washer).
As i still have to show up at the official control Inspection (whit the Original tire), I'm probabely not going to do the conversion before May ore June. If any of you think it's worth to try, I would be glad to know how the tires work. I'm shure the rest works as described. It's alredy some years ago, but I used to work as a mechanic. It's not the first problem to be solved...
Good Luck

Hi,

there`re numerous tire threads in the forum some also about these sizes.
I had talked to Dunlop, Metzeler, Bridgestone and Avon longer time ago about exactly these tires and the only one giving a convincing and positive feedback was Avon as their tire was developed for powerful custom bikes, not for heavy tourers only like the others did. I would need to check as from the others there was only one that sent me a letter of conformity but to use only in case I had no other option. According to this feedback I received Avon seems to be the only way to go.
Talking about tire temperature, the tires listed have a thicker thread so they will require a longer time to get to temperature. In this case you would need to try to ride them with slightly lower air pressure. In fact also sometihng that Avon recommended.

G.

Hi, Thanks for the Input.
This whit the temperature and pressure is a good input.
Concerning Avon, there are two similar tires:
-Venom R AM42 180/60 R16
-Cobra AV72 180/60 R16 TL
Which are you reffering to?
I will anyway try to get a statement from Bridgstone and Dunlop. Especially Dunlop seems to be a good adress. They are manufacturing several OEM tires with special dimensions

AV72 Cobra (Avon recommends to use an Azaro Av45 front with it)
The AM42 was discontinued.

The other DOC I received came from the Pirelli group for the Metzeler Sportec M3 130/70-16 + ME 880 Marathon G 180/60-16 but as I said the guy didn`t really recommend it. (in fact he didn`t even want to send me the document via email, only per normal post)

I have used the Avon AV45 on my ST2 and loved them. (17" of course, but still a lovely tire) It will be different for 16" of course.

As far as the chain hitting, or missing the rear tire. The minimum clearance is touching. Really. A 180 Avon Storm on and ST touches the chain, but just barely. No ill side affects known. Touching is fine, abrading the tire is bad. Spacing out your chainline, is risky also.

Cheers,

Why should spacing out the chainline be risky? If you do it correctly I do not see any problem on the Paso, There is sufficient space to the left...

Few weeks ago I was wondering the same question. Is possible to fit a 180/60-16 tire in my Paso? I decided to prove it and started to find. I found Metzeler, Dunlop and Avon tires and their price is around 180-200 euros. It was a little expensive for doing an experiment, but then I found a Shinko tire (Korean tire very similar to a Dunlop D250) for 120 euros, and decide to buy it.
Of course I have to displace the rear sprocket adding washers (8mm) and here is the result:



The handling of the bike is very good, infinitely better than 150/80-16 tire. I have combined with a 130/70-16 Dunlop 208 RR with very satisfactory results.

it was no experiment as it was done before
True is that about the price. I don`t know Avons price strategy but searching the internet or tire dealers really is worth the effort. The rear Avon can be found for over €180, but also for €140. Similar price differences for the front tire.

Do you have a picture from the rear and basically the same from the other side ?

Of course I have to displace the rear sprocket adding washers (8mm)

guess you did that also on the front

G.

we would love to see some more pictures

Hi Pompone,
You're the guy which I was looking for!!! I was shure that it's going to work (from a mechanical point). Maybee this has been done before, but I did not find any useful info about, nor any record about how the Paso behaves with 180 tires!
I have just a few additional questions?
-Didn't you put any spacer on the front sprocket (I plan to do, just to have the chainline correct)
-How much air/space is now inbetween the chain and the tire
-How is the handling in comparison whit the 160 Michelin?
-What about the Grip of the Corean tire? (In comparison withe the 160 Michelins)
I did some investigations about the AVON tires. It's true that it is expensive, but It's a dual coupound, and it seems to be a reasonable tire. I think I will mount thisone.
I will put the results as soon it's done (Guess in May). The spacers (front/rear) I will do before. I will put the plans here, when it's done. In addition I will record the conversions with fotos.
hope this way I can just give any return to this great Forum.
Special thank for Pompone and everybody who supports the survival ou our Pasos

P.S. just one thing to add:
-Becausee the 180 builds 12mm higher (24mm in diameter) the gear ratio of transmission changes as well. According to my calcualtion the crown on the back schould move to (theoretically) to 39,6 theeth (original 38). so I will have to see what's available. I would prefer a 40 crown than a 39.

I think the only little tricky detail is to move the front sprocket outwards.
I didn`t have a look (it`s simply too cold out in the garage), but I wonder how easy or difficult that is. Also I don`t think that it`s possible to move it 8mm outwards and this not only because there`s little space between the sprocket and the sprocket cover.

G.

Hello Pasofriends. I haven't put any spacer on the front sprocket, and have no problems with the chain. And I don't know how I have to do it. When you will do it show photos, please .
I add 8mm washers on the rear sprocket but I'll make a big washer using an old rear sprocket without teeth.
The handling in comparison with the Michelin: the bike is a little bit harder to move side to side but I think it is because of 130/70-16 front tire. The grip of the new tires is better, better and better than Michelin (made of wood). The grip of this corean tire has surprised me.
I put a 40 teeth crown with Michelin 160 and I continue with it.
Now, the photos of the experiment:

It would be hepfull to know all Ducati front sprocket "offsets" and then choose only closest one...

Anyway basic rule is: If you have to change offset of rear sprocket(that chain dont hit to tire), then You have to make same offset change to front sprocket also! No doubt about it...

About "look": Seems, that such tire dont look so bad in 750 Paso...

Btw, can U explane little more, to WHERE You put those 8mm spacers in rear? Came to my mind, that if You "add" 8mm offset to rear, then You HAVE TO ADD ALSO same +8mm to front sprocket to keep chain line ok....

thanks for the pictures, so there`s more then enough space. The tire looks really fat from behind, I like that.
Putting spacers only under the rear sprocket is no good. The chain should be so much out of alignment that all kind of things could happen. From excessive sprocket wear, to chain breaking in worst case.
It`s probably better to check first how much the front sprocket can be moved outwards and then do the same on the rear. About the rear sprocket, now that it has spacers below is it still held centered by the sprocket carrier ? That`s also crucial.

Helo Finnpaso, I put 8mm spacers beetwen the rear sprocket and the sprocket carrier. I have had to put 6 longer screws too. I have ran almost 600 kms without problems. I want to make a big spacer with an old rear sprocket, more solid and with more base than 6 little spacers.
I don't understand how I can displace the front sprocket 8 mm if the clip with little screws has its groove in the sprocket axle. Do you think it is possible to do another groove displaced 8 mm in the sprocket axle? There is no space.