[New Paso Member] Joeltje reporting a Bluecati from Holland

[joeltje]

Hi there!

So, yesterday I bought myself a Ducati Paso, Blue one, 22700 km's in nearly excellent condition. I'm the 4th owner, and have all documentation with it. The seller bought a BMW and needed to get rid of it quick, so had a bargain (i think anyway). I did have to invest in a 200 km Train ride for it, but the ride back made it all good

Previous owner had a large service done in march, new belts, valve adjustment done, new liquids new battery and the works, and drove maybe 150 km's since that service. I bought the bike pretty much unseen, for that price, no money to loose was my thought!





The one thing that does worry me a bit, is Tyre availability, but as this one still has several thousand km's to go, I have plenty of time to arrange something.

If however any one can give me a hint to get the tyre problems solved for a Dutch guy, appreciation all the way!

[micklm]

Hi Joeltje,

Nice buy - looks very tidy indeed! I bought a 906 near Tilburg last year under similar circumstances (going cheap, on it's last set of tyres).

You can go for a full 17inch wheel conversion or try and make the chain offset modifications required to fit alternate size 16inch tyres. I think there is also a brand (shinko) where you don't need to do as much offset? Anyway, there is a lot of threads on here about the conversion or tyre options.
http://forums.ducatipaso.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3042
http://forums.ducatipaso.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3872
http://forums.ducatipaso.org/viewtopic. ... t=17+shoes

I'm doing a the 17 inch conversion at the moment using 600SS wheels (like the last link above) so have some more details if you need for that option.

Are those Michelin stickers on the swing-arm? You may need to change those too:)

Also check the condition of the coolant resevoir under the faring at the front left of the bike (don't worry if it's leaking - there are some easy fixes and you have found the right place to find out what!)

Welcome to the board!

Mick

[joeltje]

Thanks, some extensive reading to do still, though I have read most of it before the purchase... I guess best to do (easiest, cheapest, and most original looking) is to make space for a 180/60/16 tyre.. Now to find the best possible way, as from reading only, I can't create a picture.

(I'm a very visable person, and need to see this stuff)...

I'll do a major clean of the bike this weekend (helps me detirmine the true state) so will check the engine departemnet more closely then. Pic's obviously will be made!

[fasterdammit]

Welcome to the boards!

That's a fine-looking specimen you have there - always nice to see another blue one. Congrats on what sounds like a great find. Hopefully the internals are as clean as the external!

Also check the condition of the coolant resevoir under the faring at the front left of the bike

Don't worry if you can't find this reservoir - the 750s are only air/oil cooled.

Jake

[joeltje]

Wasn't going to look for that!

Drizzleing here the whole day, but as soon as the sky clears, I'll be polishing and cleaning. Will remove the fairing, and shoot plenty of pictures!

Blue-catis are the most gorgeous! So yes, the pleasure of meeting another blue-lover is all mine

[micklm]

He he,

Indeed - you guys are running two by two oil coolers of course!

I've said it before and I'll say it again - I should stick to the 906 forum!

Thanks faster for correcting me

If you end up changing your mind and going for 17inch wheels I have a good selection of drawings from this board and some new ones that I've tried and tested and can point you to a couple of Dutch machinefabrieks.

Best of luck

Mick

[joeltje]

Hey Mick, That is always very helpfull, as it may change my mind

Can you mail them to me? (braun.joel on gmail)
Would like to here which wheels you used, or which alternative wheels there are!

[PasoRoo]

Hi Joel,

Welcome to the forum! As you've already found there are plenty of people here with a great deal of knowledge about anything Paso related. I'm going down the 17" conversion path on the 750, once the Michelins are spent, with a kit I bought from someone in your neck of the woods (Netherlands).

Veel plezier met de Paso!

Mike

[joeltje]

Hey Mike (or is it Bruce )

What kit is that? I was searching (google) for a retrofit kit, as I am handy, but not some one that does machining

Anyway, thanks for the welcome

[micklm]

Joel,

Try www.startwin.com (Nederlands). They have done some parts in the past.

I small machine shop would be cheaper if you have CAD drawings and know exactly what you need, but those guys do alot of custom work and know their way I would say.

Cheers,

Mick

[joeltje]

Great tip, I'll get in touch with them!

[desmodave]

Hi welcome to the crazy world of the paso. Do you know hoorn?

[joeltje]

Hoorn as the City Hoorn? yes, I know Hoorn, about 90 minute drive from where I live...

[Mc tool]

Pasoroo , What do you have in mind for your 17"conv ?
I have most of a 97 900ss to play with and the plan ( loose ) was to fit the 17 duke wheels , brakes ,inc calipurs. I have a rear off a ..... Dunno actually but its a 4.5" rim ( I think its a 600 ss ) and Im hopeing that it will fit a 160 tyre . I will have to get the wheel turned out to fit a 44mm berring ( and sprocket carrier ?)Have you ever noticed what a bastard of a word sprocket is to ( 2 finger ) type ?. If I have issues with the speedo drive I'll probly make up a new dash and use the ss gauges , with maybe a couple of extra's.
Now here is where it gets sticky. I have not given up on the idea of useing the ss forks and clamps. They are 60 -70 mm to short, the way I figure it I would get 20 odd mm back by fitting the 17" wheel leaving 50mm to find . QUESTION Is there enough overlap of the inner and outer tubes to stand lenghtening the damper rod assy's and spring spacers to extend the fork by this 50mm . mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[PasoRoo]

Hi McTool,

Last year I bought a complete set (off Ebay) to convert to 17". It has wheels (I think from a 900) and includes machined parts to mount the wheels in the standard forks. The only thing I still need to get are wheel bearings and 3mm needs to be machined off the left fork leg.

@Joeltje:

Sorry for the late response, I didn't see you post earlier. The guy I bought the set from has parts on Ebay every now and then. The Star Twin kit looks like it could work a treat as well and is a simple solution. There is a thread somewhere on the forum that shows you what it looks like.

Cheers,

Mike