Back in the game

[fasterdammit]

It's been a long absence for me, from these forums - but now I'm back and pumping new blood (and US dollars) into my '88. Recent events have got me working on the Paso again to get her back on the road. I haven't ridden her in about two years - there's been a laundry list of things to do, and with two kids, the house - and a Monster café that just loves corners, I haven't done any work on the Paso until now.

Nutshell: a week ago I got T-boned on my Monster, commuting to work. A Hyundai SUV went straight through a turn-only lane and broadsided me, throwing me down the street and pinning the Monster. I walked away w/ rashed legs, nothing broken - but the Monster is pretty busted (both footpeg brackets, bent exhaust plumbing, snapped the RT side clip-on, turn signals, and various other maladies). So now, not only do I have room in the garage to work, but a reason & opportunity.

I've begun to tear down the Paso to get to what needs doing. I've pulled the rear shock and I'm sending that down to Steve @ ECS to get overhauled; I'll be pulling the forks shortly to get refreshed as well. I have a pair of Mikuni 38s I'd like to put on, but taking a closer look at the tubing and hoses - with fresh eyes, since it's been so long since I've spent any quality time under her skin - I got wondering about a couple things. So I'm posting here for your opinions & suggestions ...

I realize the following items change the nature of the Paso, but I'm just putting them out there for someone to talk me into - or out of - them ...

1. Case breather hoses
Since I'm planning to get rid of the Weber (and its airbox), I'm looking at the case I have a crank case breather assembly, where one hose exits the case (behind the vertical cylinder) into a small collector box (behind the tank, in front of the battery), and then a second hose goes up to the front of the airbox. I have a crank case breather from Evoluzionne - I may install this instead. Any thoughts on this?

2. Oil coolers & lines
I'm wondering about replacing the dual coolers w/ a single, valve cover-mounted unit from the Monster/SS models. I'd have to replace the horizontal cylinder cover with a Monster/SS unit (that has the hangers), and I'd probably opt for the high-mounted cooler for clearance reasons. But is there any reason to do, or not to do this kind of modification? [At the same time, I might also see about fabbing up some sort of channel that will feed air through the now-open side vents (with the 2 oil coolers removed) and direct fresh air onto the vertical cylinder.]

If I decide to keep things stock, can anyone recommend any preferred brands/vendors/upgrades or alternatives for the oil lines?

Right now, on my must-have list of things to do:

• Refreshed suspension
• New fuel lines (and filter)
• S/S braided brake lines
• Brake pads
• Case breather
• Oil lines/cooler swap

And things I'd like to do:

• Mikuni conversion
• The jcslocum electrical upgrade

I expect this to be the first post of many of this nature over the next couple weeks, so my apologies in advance.

Oh yeah ... what have I missed?

[Fraser]

Hey Faster welcome back.
Once the suspension and bits/peices are complete the Mikuni carb swap and electrical upgrade are absolutely essential.
The Mikuni change makes a remarkable difference (use foam pod filters and remove the air box as well) the smoothness and power makes it a different bike.
Same with the electrical upgrade, easy starts from now on. First time I cranked the bike over after doing the electrical upgrade was a little dissapointed as it still turned over a bit slowly. Had left it in 1st gear and it nearly started. In neutral it spun over with vigor and provides easy starting.
For the oil crank case breather I just disconnected the last hose from the wee breather box near the battery and installed a small mesh filter which just screwed into the spigot the the hose fitted onto. The mesh filter was from a plumbing store, does the job.
Cheers,

Fraser.

[persempre907]

You are always lucky if you can tell about an accident riding the bike .
Happy to see you back.
Ciao

[fasterdammit]

Thanks Francesco I was lucky, indeed. The phone call to mrs.fasterdammit wasn't one I ever wanted to make ... but at least I could start it off with "first, I'm ok ... "

About the Monster ... they totaled her, but I bought her back (100USD!) so I decided to skip making her a track bike, and rebuild instead. I don't care that she'll be a 'salvage' - she'll still be on the road.

And it got me to start fixing Il Vecchio Blu ...

[persempre907]

And it got me to start fixing Il Vecchio Blu ...

I hope you can fix her soon.
Ciao

[whitepaso]

For the crankcase breather, retain the hose which exits from behind the vertical cylinder and install a K&N dry pleated filter in it; should fit right in front of the battery box. I don't have the part number at my fingertips but can get it if you need. Remove the other stuff. I've also found that although the twin oil coolers are somewhat of a pain when removing the bodywork, they really do a very good job at keeping the oil cool. Hope this helps.

[fasterdammit]

For the crankcase breather, retain the hose which exits from behind the vertical cylinder and install a K&N dry pleated filter in it; should fit right in front of the battery box. I don't have the part number at my fingertips but can get it if you need. Remove the other stuff. I've also found that although the twin oil coolers are somewhat of a pain when removing the bodywork, they really do a very good job at keeping the oil cool. Hope this helps.

That's exactly what I have for the breather; Evoluzionne has a nice little package for it. I originally purchased it for my Monster, but never installed it - so I think it'll go onto the Paso instead.

I agree completely with what you said about the twin oil coolers - my worry is that the single wouldn't be enough (general consensus is "it should") - but since the Supersports and larger-displacements bikes only have a single, I think it'll fly as well. My other concern is simply keeping true to the Paso. If I keep the twin coolers though, those 21yo rubber hoses are outta there. I spoke w/ Al @ Williamsville Competition in Williamsville, NY and they'll make custom-fit braided stainless lines for it.

[jcslocum]

I'm having new oil lines made up now. They can be made at any local auto parts store for 50 bucks. No need for hight $$ stainless lines that are always hidden :-0