Oil over fill perhap?

[randtcastell]

Distinguished Gentlemen,

After a weekend of maintenance, refurbishment and polishing, I drained the hot oil after a 50 mile ride, cleaned the gauze filter, changed the cartridge filter and added about 3.25 litres of Castrol 20W 50 ignoring the sight glass. Upon inspection, I realized the oil level had gone completely up and over the "maximum" mark. I started my Paso, ran the bike 'till both oil radiators were warm and the temperature gauge read 140, and shut her off. She ran fine, but the oil level is still over the 'maximum' mark. In fact, its all the way to the top of the sight glass. Do y'all think I will cause damage to the engine if I leave it in this state? Should I drain sufficient oil from the crankcase to return the level to what would appear to be proper? Thank you in advance for your time, consideration and advice.

Lastly, what do you think that small aluminum slotted head screw below the gauze filter is for? I thought it would be a fixing screw for the gauze filter, but they don't touch within. I could perhaps use it to drain the over filled oil I suppose, but it is such soft alloy, I don't want to fuss with it unless you suggest I use it. Funny that the workshop manual makes no mention of it. Thanks again!

If you go to my web gallery, there are photos of my Paso: http://gallery.me.com/randycastellon

[delagem]

Distinguished Gentlemen,

Thanks for giving me the benefit of the doubt....

If I remember correctly, that little screw under the gauze filter is just plugging a port that was drilled during machining of the cases. I'd have to pull my gauze filter to be sure, though. Pull the gauze, and look directly above the screw, and I think you'll find a drilled passage.

Why did you put in 3.5 liters of oil? All of my Duc's (Paso, 900ss, 748 and 996) all take exactly 3 liters of oil after a thorough draining and filter change.

Definitely drain some oil off. Oil too full causes it to touch the bottom of the crank, which froths it. Frothy oil contains air, and doesn't lubricate well.

Although it would be easy to pull the filter and dump it, I wouldn't recommend that approach. The time it takes your oil pump to fill the lines, fill the filter, and make its way to the heads is a VERY long time. I like to fill the filter before I install it, to minimize the 'dry run' time.

[micklm]

Mate,

I've done it once as well when I forgot my little 600SS didn't take as much oil as the Paso (no oil cooler).

Agree it's worth getting the excess out, though I didn't crack open the sump plug again. I just got some plastic hose and used a brake bleeder vacuum pump (or any large bore syringe from a chemist) to suck some excess oil back out of the fill opening.

Cheers,

Mick

[randtcastell]

Well, You guys are just tremendous! Thank you so much for your help. I will take my huge syringe and suck that extra oil out. By the way, I did notice that there is a port in front of the gauze filter that corresponds with that little alloy screw. I put all that oil in because I was not thinking (moto fatigue) and looked at the silly manual which stated 3.5 litres in the crank case. I need to be more logical from now on. I suppose the manual is referring to 'little baby' litres! Again, thank you so much: this community brings me such joy and satisfaction. I hope to contribute in a meaningful way over time. Best Wishes, Randy.

[davidhughrose]

Hold on Randy! Can we have a detailed list of mods to your machine?! On the surface looks like some nice upgrades!

[Finnpaso]

Hi and welcome!

I would take little oil away and via draining screw, as its easy job, only need to be VERY CAREFULL, when screw is coming out(no need to take it totally out surely!!!). Anyway very easy job! Dont worry, if U get oil to hands, its "nothing"... Do it when engine is cold.

What are You planning to Your bike after those Michelin's are gone? You have nice wheels, so i am courious about Your plannings with tires...

I am remembering, that that screw close coarse filter is for some drilling for cases, as delagem stated.

You have nice 750 Paso, but decails are totally wrong, as there is "super sport" in rear side fairings, NOT "Paso" ???? and also that "Desmo" decail dont fit so well to those "Paso area" stickers.... Sorry, but i had to say it

[delagem]

Wow, just got done looking thru your photo album, Randy. What a clean bike! Very tastefully done.

Am I correct that you're running a '99 and up Brembo master cyl? I don't see a switch on there, how does your brake light work?

[randtcastell]

Thanks for your kind words and interest! It is an '87 750 Paso with the wrong nomenclature for some weird reason that I do not like, but I did not do that or the mods. A local Ductati Mechanic, Lawrence, formerly of Munroe Motors S.F. now at Hattar Motorsports San Rafael executed them before I purchased the bike, but I will explain all I can:

The clutch master cylinder is from a 1993 888 SPO, the front brake master cylinder is a standard Brembo Gold line unit, (I'll check on the brake light switch this afternoon) and adjustable gold anodized levers. The wheels are from a 1987 851 Strada: Marvic/Acront 2 piece magnesium/Aluminum composite (3.5x16 front, 5.0x16 rear) including front and rear Brembo full floating cast iron rotors.

The gearbox has been shimmed, the pistons coated, and 900SP cams have been installed. The heads were ported by BCM Motorsports w/ flow increased by 7CFM. Mallossi/Del'Orto 40mm instruments are installed with matched Mallossi intake manifolds and Mallossi pod filters. It has a DP lightweight flywheel, a primary gear lightened by Nichols Manufacturing, and the clutch housing was custom vented by Nichols. It has an F1 vented clutch cover, ceramic coated exhaust, and F1 cans. There are also STM adjustable cam pulleys.

The foot pegs and brackets, swing arm and suspension linkage have been polished, and it has a Biturbo rear shock. Lastly, the Marelli-Magnetti ignition modules were replaced with Kokusan units.

I am quickly running out of tread on those unobtainable Michelins, got a flat on the rear (2" drywall nail), but have been surprised that they perform as well as they do considering the front is from 2001 and the rear is vintage 2002. I've got edge to edge wear on both and have only scared myself a few times. They are softer than I first imagined. Well, this may be crazy, but after loads of research, I've purchase a Michelin Pilot Sport 120/70 16 for the front which is the same diameter as the A59 and 1/2" narrower in width. The specs say it is a radial and H rated for speed and they say it will fit a 3.5" rim. For the rear (for better or worse) I chose a Pirelli Diablo 140/70 16 which is 3/4" larger in diameter and 5/8" narrower than the M59. The specs say it is a bias ply and P rated for speed and will fit a 4.5" rim. It's a scooter tire, but it looks and feels great. I plan on putting a tube within it if the beads won't seat onto the rim. I know the short comings of this choice, but I want to try it for the sake of the team. I'll probably have to put them on in a couple of months and I will let y'all know how it goes.

Thanks again! It's such a pleasure, because this bike is so dear to me. -randy.

[Mc tool]

Sure is a great looking paso Randy, nice mods too , I wouldnt mind at all if you passed me on a good corner riding that bike

[delagem]

The specs say it is a bias ply and P rated for speed

Geez, I'd be a little leery of that. P rating is only for up to 94mph. I exceed that almost daily, and I drive like an old man! I'm sure it'll be fine, to rate them for 94 they test them to 150mph... But it is a bit risky.

I like how your bike looks, and don't care about the decals being "correct" or not. The previous owner of my Paso painted it a different shade of red, too, and then used the huge Ducati stickers from the side fairings of a 900ss on the tank! Still, it looks good.

I would be very interested in hearing how that brake light works! I've got a few uniquely engineered setups, but always like to see other methods.

[davidhughrose]

Nice merger of aesthetics & performance! Thanx for the rundown. Please report back on the new tires; rear espec. I could easily live within 94mph.

[higgy]

Very nice Paso. What did you use to clean up the aluminum parts ? They all look factory fresh. Very nice Bonnie as well,brings back memories of a daytona a friend had back in the 70's. Fond memories of dropped pushrods in the middle of nowhere on Queens Highway 401 Ontario,Canada and a swarm of knats thick as rain

[randtcastell]

Thank you again for your kind and encouraging words, I feel so great being among such good folks with so much knowledge. In regards to the brake light switch for the front master cylinder: your intuition was right- there is no switch to be found, and of course the light does will itself on. I appreciate you bringing this to my attention, as I was foolish not to ever even notice. My mates didn't mention it either (they ride triumphs and I guess I've fallen out of favor since I've made the switch and they are further behind me than before). Of course I checked the rear brake to verify that I had at least one brake light switch functioning on board and lo, it works not a wit. The bulbs are correct and good, the wiring is present and unmolested, so it is currently (no pun intended) a mysterious fault. I suppose I'll have to revert to hand signals as I do when riding my BSA. I guess I should get out the muti-meter and check the rear switch just above the lever. Good thing (?) this is NorCal where we have no safety checks and the Highway patrol has larger concerns than to bust the balls of a Ducatisti.

As far as that pending rear tire goes, I agree about its deficiencies, but I will have to try it anyway and report back to y'all. Those particular tires at least were somewhat inexpensive, about US$60 apiece. And the polishing was done by a previous owner as well. I am just the fellow who is the recipient of other's hard work. But I swear I 'll always maintain it!

Any thoughts about brake light switches will be greatly appreciated and heeded. Best Wishes, Randy.

[higgy]

Bevel Heaven has the rear switch

[randtcastell]

Thank you for the switch connection! I'll contact Bevel Heaven and inquire right away. Best, Randy.