ducatipaso.org

Hi all! Now that I will be getting some spare time in my schedule, college spring break a week away, I plan on getting my Paso 750 ready for the road once the warm weather comes. I am posting this because I am curious as to what I should check or replace. I understand the basics such as plugs, jets, filters, checking brakes/brake lines, odometer cable, odometer (the part that connects to the front tire), tires, fluids for brakes, bearings, etc... I am also going to replace the chain and sprockets as I always do this with my dirt bikes (just a habit).

I am wondering if I should check the belts as well. I have had some people say to check them and others say it should be alright. I also was thinking of checking timing chain and valve clearances. Is there anything else I may be missing that I would desperately need to check?

I have always owned dirt bikes my whole life and usually have little to check as I try to ride them all year round or take it out at least once a week. I would never even think of it with the Ducati.

Also I am wondering if anyone knows of a good website or business that can either re-cover or has the skins to cover the seat. Mine is starting to get little rips in it and I would love to put a new one on it. It has a custom one on by Corbin and would love to get one just like it again. Too, are there any anti-vibration grips or "soft gel" grips that you would recommend for the Ducati? I need to replace them and am unsure what kinds are recommended for this bike.

Sorry for all the questions and long post, but I want to make sure I do everything that should be done before I fire her up and take her for a long trip when the warm weather hits!

Thanks,
Dustin

Dustin,

it all depends on when the bike was serviced the last time and what was done.
If the bike wasn`t moved for years or there`s no known service history the list of things that should be done is long.

- change all fluids: oil (incl. oil filter and wire-gauze filter), brake fluids incl. clutch
- change spark plugs
- change belts every 2 years no matter of actual milage (they may hold up longer, but you risk full engine damage if they don`t)
- check valve clearances
- check condition of cylinders if the engine didn`t run for years. Cyl. heads need to be pulled. Put some oil on the cylinder walls and turn the engine over by hand a few times. Do a compression test.
- check cylinder head bolts tightness (torque wrench)
- drain old fuel from the tank and flush it
- replace air and fuel filter and clean the wire filter that`s in the fuel petcock after removing it from the tank
- clean and eventually rebuild carb (specially float chamber and jets)
- rebuild fork, flush it and replace oil and dust seals, eventually bushings if necessary
- check if steering head bearing runs free, is well greased and has the correct play
- grease swingarm axle
- check swingarm play (there`s only one needle bearing to grease)
- check/grease/replace chain and sprockets, check chain tension
- check/replace brake discs and pads
- replace brake lines as they are over 20 years old
- check secondary clutch piston and the bore in the clutch cover. Clean both. Eventually replace O-ring (specially if the bike stood for years)
- check condition of the bearing in the piston, the T/"mushroom" pin, the pressure plate, the discs thickness and if the clutch basket has chatter marks
- check starter brushes
- check/replace tires (age overrules condition)
- check if wheels turn free and if the bearings make any noises. There should be no side play.
- go through the electrics and clean all contacts, specially all grounds
- if the headlight is dull, clean the lens (http://forums.ducatipaso.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2723)
- check if the ignition key can be switched easily to each position
- check speedo- and odometer cables, remove, clean and oil them

That`s all I can currently think of. The intervals of some of the points mentioned can be found in the workshop manual. What needs to be done depends on the bike`s history.
When all of the listed is done and ok, and the service intervals are obeyed the Paso can be used as a daily driver w/o any worries. A bike becoming or being unreliable is in most cases fault of its owner. It`s neglected maintainance or the bike being rarely used. The second can sometimes be worse than the first.

I guess that Corbin could recover the seat but there`re several other companies like http://www.second-look.com

What do you need anti-vibration grips for ? Does the bike vibrate, if so when riding or also when standing ? If it does it when riding and is dependend on speed pull the clutch when you start feeling vibration and check if it`s gone then. If it is it comes from the engine (possibly crankshaft bearing), if it`s still there it`s from the suspension, tires or uncorrectly balanced wheels.

G.

Oh my thank you so much for all the info G! I had maintained it well last year and it was rode daily. Prior to that it did sit and I went over just about everything with the man I bought it from. I really do appreciate the info!

As for the grips, I was told that it would be easier on my wrists/hands if I got anti-vibrating ones as opposed to regular ones. The bikes doesn't vibrate from what I can remember. Just really bumpy roads by me due to nasty winters. I found some nice pro-grip ones that I am thinking of getting. They are the gel kind, which I am a HUGE fan of. And thank you for the website! I will check them out and see what they could do with my seat!

Thanks,
Dustin

this was a friends Paso with a second skin seat cover (before its unexpected cold deformation)



I used to have foam grips once, not the very thick ones though. They were ok but they soaked when it rained a lot. If you want it to be less heavy on your wrists you can also have some bar risers made. (drawings are in the downloads thread)

G.

That seat cover looks nice. Just like mine with the Red/White/Green on the front of the seat. Only all black the rest of the way around. The foam grips I never really was a fan of, so I am going to make a nice small order for the Ducati this weekend. Grips, a nice new heavy duty cover, plugs, oil filters, and some cleaning products. Can't wait for the warm weather to finally come!

Dustin

It is better to take action before and while you store the bike. Draining the fuel from the system is one task I always do. That and changing front brake fluid, cleaning and repacking the swingarm and steering head bearings + a few more. I expect to ride mine for the first time since November this month and it is a big enough job to get it ready for riding without having to do a major service too. Winter is ideal for those heavy tasks because there is so much time otherwise spent relaxing inside a nice central heated house... get the idea? If you rode the 750 last year and it was running well then check the carbie for dirt in the fuel, make sure the float valve is free moving and then start her up. I don't know why you are changing the chain and sprockets, no need but clean them with white spirit before storage next time.

dross1 wrote:That seat cover looks nice

VERY nice, I have to say...
Ciao

Prior to storing the bike I drained all fuel and gave the carb a nice cleaning. Usually I clean the carb out once a week when I was riding it as I am constantly messing with the carb on my dirt bike. It is just a habit I have of changing the chain/sprockets. I race motocross during the spring and fall and each year like to start out fresh wish a new chain and sprocket. So that habit is carrying its way over to the Paso. I lube the chain religiously and am always on top of regular maintenance. I know I don't HAVE to change the sprockets and chain, I just feel like it

Hopefully I will have the paso out on the road by next week! Finally reaching 50's in upstate NY!