New member - in need of some advice ...

[Frank.61]

Hi, let me briefly introduce myself.
I live in Belgium and currently I do not have a Paso (do have a.o. a Ducati Monster 796 & Bimota SB4s) but I'm considering to buy and restore a Paso which I know from when I was young.
My main question is: which of the 3 versions (750, 906 or 907) is the most sought after for a Paso fan?
Problem is, if you are in to a bike (e.g. Bimota), in time you know which one is and which are less in demand.
But since this idea to buy a Paso came up just recently, I'm not sure.
I know the differences between the 3 versions and to be honest I think the 907 is lowest in ranking (merely due to altered optics as 17" wheels and 851 rear fork) but to have the 750 or the liquid coolec 900cc version is not possible for me to say without having ridden the 2.
Maybe you could advise me.

Hope to get some reaction

Frank

[Mc tool]

Personally I like the 906 . The 750 was the 1st Paso and deserves some cred for that , but I suffer from the "big is better " syndrome and the 906 is that , plus the benefits of water cooling ( altho I think some of the worlds best bikes were air cooled ). The 907 is ( early ) fuel injection but I like the weber. I also like the 16" wheels, and the brakes on the 906 work well enough for me. So its either the 750 or the 906 for me . If a 750 was significantly cheaper or in better condition I might be persuaded , but I prefer the 906

[nickta]

Hi Frank.

I guess it all comes down to what type of restoration you want to complete? The P750 was the first, and has the highest build number, so the cost should be more reasonable. The 907 was the last, and had what is now considered normal, such as 17" wheels and Fuel Injection. The 906 has the smallest build number, so compared to the others is some what of a rarity. They all have good or bad points. The P750 is smaller than the other 2, so if you are tall, it might not be a comfortable fit. The 907 is the tallest of the 3, and was my first Paso/907. I'm a touch over 6'2", and I find the riding position to be OK. All 3 have, umm, Italian Electrics, so all suffer similar issues.

So to throw in another opinion of which bike, I prefer the 907. Its a little more modern with the fuel injection, and the ECU would be the easiest to upgrade if it ever fails. If I could find an Anthracite 907, I wouldn't need to much encouragement to stump for it! Saying that, I still think all 3 have aged (in looks) better than a lot of other bikes of that era. Even now they are still relatively easy to come by, and finding a well looked after unit is not that hard. In a fit of madness, I purchased a 750 and a 906 in the last 12 months. I'm not the first to own all 3, and there are numerous who own a couple of 1 or 2 as well. So start with the one that you like the look of, and go from there.

Don't forget the Sport 750 or the 900SS (the early one with the normal front end) either. They are more sporty than the Paso, and have the same effect on their owners!

Cheers.

Nick.

[ducinthebay]

For purity points, you can't do better than the original. 750
For rarity, its easily the 906.
If you want the version with many of the ills corrected, its the 907 (of course depending on what you consider ills, like the weber, 16" wheels, and two piston calipers)

If you are looking at it as an investment, you are crazy. If you want a nice weekend ride with a lot of rich history, you are in the right place. Restoration - yes. Modification - only minor to fix the ills. Radical build based on a Paso- no, get a Monster.

I went for the 907 for the 17" wheels, larger brakes, and Fuel Injection. Took me about 20 years to finally get one.

Cheers, Phil

[Frank.61]

Hi Nick,


You say that the 750 is the smallest of the 3 versions, I assumed the 906 has the same frame and "plastics" ?
I thought the 906 was merely a 750 with just a bigger 900 cc watercooled engine, a 6 speed gearbox and a different paint job (white wheels and idem white underside of the fairing).

I'm not seeing it as an investment but I like the shape of it (similar to the Cagiva Freccia - in Anniversary livery) especially in red.
As a Tamurini fan I can see the significancy of the model.
Also like the fact that it has the reversed vertical cylinder for the first time.

My wife and I have visited the Ducati factory in Borgo Panigale as also the Cagiva factory in Varese in June and since the Paso has links with both (which I think is part of the reason why it is not really loved by Ducatisti, it's 50% Cagiva and only 50% Ducati ).
Think it is an important motorcycle for its time as also a nice and relative easy bike to ride.
I'm quite tall 6.2 but my wife is just 5.4 so the lower the better (if the first gear is not to tall my wife can ride it).

I intend to buy stainless steel discs in combination with sintered brake pads, give the engine a major service incl. a camshaft timing check, get the carburation (Weber) as good as possible and make sure she has fresh tyres.
After it runs as expected (remains a Ducati so might take some effort), I will take care of the cosmetics (paintjob, exchange bolts etc.) and give the electrics a thorough check (when I dismantle the bike).
Are there any parts which are nearly impossible to find?
Also, I have seen some who have extended the rear fork .... why is this done?
Have no intention to race the bike (have other bikes for that), so as long as it (she?) handles fine up to let us say 110 kmh, I'm happy.

Frank

[nickta]

Hi Frank.

The size difference is noticeable if you line up the 750 to the 906. The 750 also has different body work to the 906. Without getting the tape measure out, the 906 looks wider from the front than both the 750 and the 907. I haven't lined all three up together yet, but the 907 is definitely the tallest of the 3. Most likely due to the 17" wheels?

As to which parts are hard to find, some are hard, others are impossible, and others are relatively easy. I got the shock of my life when I went to order a fuel float/sender for the 907. Rang up the local Ducati dealer, gave them the Part No, and there it was, no problems at all. Best place to start is Stein Dinse in Germany. They have all the parts lists and if they show up there as available, then its a better than even chance you will be able to get them.

Cheers.

Nick.

[paso750]

I would wonder if the 750 and 906 were different in height or width. According to the datasheets they are the same.
SD is a good place to look up parts and check cross references but then I would try to source them locally just because of the high shipping costs. Tho to Belgium they`re probably not that high as to the US or Australia.

[Frank.61]

I do have experience with SD (Bimota) and am very impressed with the knowledge they have.
Also the P&P ist just marginal more expensive to Belgium.

I did read that the FZ750 headlight is often used as a replacement.
Are both the 85-87 as also 89-94 useable or are they different to each other?
SD has a brand new one but for a steep € 447, which is a bit to much.
The backlight (EU version), is that still available?

[paso750]

The backlight (EU version), is that still available?

no, that`s one of the rare parts

[nickta]

The backlight (EU version), is that still available?

no, that`s one of the rare parts

Unless you grab the one you threw up on "for sale" forum. Be quick (if it is still there?).

Cheers.

Nick.

[nickta]

I would wonder if the 750 and 906 were different in height or width. According to the datasheets they are the same.

Hi G.

Like I said, without throwing a tape measure across them, the 906 looks from the front to be wider at the vents in the fairing. But I wouldn't trust my eyes on that!

Cheers.

Nick.

[Mc tool]

I would wonder if the 750 and 906 were different in height or width. According to the datasheets they are the same.

But I wouldn't trust my eyes on that!

Cheers.

Nick.

Ha ha , I wouldn't trust any of an Australian

[ducapaso]

750 is lighter on the scale but has 16" rims and Weber to set up. But you can find Shiko/goldentyre tyres.
906 is heavier but powerful
907 has 17" and fuel injection. Better search for the last ones with P8 Marelli instead of P7 and 320mm disc plates. Crap in the water cooler plastic tank might be a trouble.
In my dreams, a 750 with 17" rims and a 900 EFI engine from Cagiva Elefant might be the best bike.

[Frank.61]

Have taken a look yesterday at an early 750 with original floating discs & Ohlins shock, but was not the one for me (was noto very well maintained, so would cost me to much time and money to get in a nearly new condition).
But I think I really want to go for a 750 notwithstanding it might have the most rough edges
If I fail to find one a 906 will be my next best.
Altough if I get one I will give it a paint job in the 906 colors (love the red/white combination).
Have been looking in Belgium, Holland & Germany but not to many for sale, so if someone has a hint .....
Might try Italy but will be difficult (effort & transport wise) to get her (still don't know what a Paso is M/F ?) to Belgium

But I love the compactness of the bike (a bit of a bulldog ).
When they started the engine I was impressed how smooth she/he/it runs.
Made a much smoother impression than my wifes Monster 796, so impressed I am.

[paso750]

the 750 & 906 only came with rigid brake discs. The floating ones were aftermarket.
Did you see:
http://ww3.autoscout24.fr/classified/271345706
http://www.marktplaats.nl/z/motoren/mot ... goryId=694
http://tinyurl.com/o6cvz8u