PASO

[twolanefun]

Thought it might be best to put this in it's own thread instead of continuing to comment on the Craiglist thread.

I’ve never understood why the Sport Classic 1000 has become so desirable and the values have gone up, when at the time of production, 2006-2009, many including me, did not think much of them. I came late to the Ducati brand but I’m told by those who have been involved back in the 70s, 80s that the Paso was not well received by the Ducati faithful and that is still reflected in the price of available bikes including the more desirable 907, which can be obtained for under $5K. I bought a Paso  because I wanted an older Ducati I could ride to events etc.. where an older Ducati would fit in more than my other bikes. When I did the research I decided that I really did not want to fool around with bevels, wanted something with electric start and did not want to spend $9K-$10K for something like a Darmah. I liked the Paso when I first saw it up close and when I sat on one it fit me perfectly, although I discovered  after my purchase that the pegs were a little high for this old set of hips, easily corrected. I also discovered that it is a fun bike to ride, with good handling, braking, and motor. Now with the passing of it’s designer, Massimo Tamburini, in April I predict there will be more interest in the Paso(and the values will go up), even though it competes with his iconic design, the 916. It’s not why  I bought mine but I’m glad I have my 907, best of the breed, and designed by one of the greats( even if he criticized the ST series). - Gene

[JoeP]

...the Paso was not well received by the Ducati faithful...

Much like the 749/999, which I happen to like. So while I'm not a big fan of the Paso styling (never seen one in person though), I can appreciate how these bikes could have a dedicated following. They certainly are unique.

[ducatiz]

Every time Ducati made a quantum leap forward, people pissed and moaned about it.

The Paso was an attempt to use a different styling design method, i.e. the box frame and fully enclosed body. 

They have unusual period styling, but that was part of their charm, IMHO.  I have contemporary reviews of the bike in motorcycle mags and they all glow about it, except to say the 750 was down on power compared to other bikes.  Hence the 906/907.

Most people have never seen a Paso in person, much less rode one.  Once they ride one, they have to have it. 

[tocino]

And was one of the first all-faired bikes if I remember correctly - modern bikes that is, the Vincent Black Prince beat it by more than a few years, and in a similar vein - a lot of people hated it. Times change: a disassembled incomplete Black Prince just sold at auction for $123K, so you never know...

[Curmudgeon]

Black Prince? I'd forgotten about those! Got it's inspiration here I expect and the trend lasted about as long. These at least needed all the streamlining they could get. Watch the video full screen. http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-23158389

Gene got the best of the bunch because the 907ie benefitted a lot from the lessons from the 851. A pal had one which he liked and kept for quite a few years. I sprang for one of the first Limited's because the 600 SL was getting hard on my bod for long Sunday rides with the boys and the pearl white body work roped me in. What I REALLY wanted was a DB1, also pearl, but those cost X2+ and were not in the budget. A client had one though and used to ride it over to the Porsche dealership where I worked just to torture me. Did a good job too. At least he bought a few 911's from me! 

The 750 came with the dumbest Weber you can imagine. UGH!!! Fortunately Reno cooked up a Malossi/Dellorto 38mm kit which was totally plug-and-play and I even had an NCR pipe for it briefly. Was going deaf though and sold it off quick for something equally good. It ran pretty well. Never could quite come to terms with that 16" Michelin up front though and after a couple of years sold it to a client and bought one of the first 25 NAS (U.S.) 851's which Eraldo set up and delivered to me before he was a dealer and just running the factory SBK effort.

Here's another which my son sold a couple of years ago on eBay. That has Reno's kit and Staintunes and also ran well. http://newvoiceoldcars.com/ebay/history/88pasoshowbike/

[koko64]

I really like the 750.
I would have one if I was a wealthier man for sure.
Nothing good tyres/wheels and FCRs/Dellortos wouldn't fix from what the Pasoists tell me.

[ducatiz]

The carb is manageable.  I had plenty of weber experience from working on VWs so I didn't find it so bad.  What I did find was like most bikes it was tuned for emissions and sound not for performance.  Rejetting it for larger mains and IIRC a step smaller idle and dumping the restrictive Lafranconi cans.

Read a review of the 86 prototype.  They loved the weber carb.
http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/ducati/ducati_750_paso%2086.htm

[Curmudgeon]

Maybe you didn't own one?  That Weber had all kinds of glitches as delivered and performance was "leisurely". 

My techs at work and I had plenty of experience with DCOE's on race cars..., but this lump was "industrial".  IIRC when we looked it up in our Weber catalogs, jets were limited in size and had crude bumps.

Didn't seem worth the bother when Reno already had it sorted..., and I LOVE pumper Dellortos. 

[ducatiz]

Yes, a 750.  Not for long, but it was one of the diFeo bikes that Sonny sold.  It had been tuned and I just cleaned it.  Bike had been sitting for a few years.  Ran sweet.  Wish i still had it

[potomacduc]

The Paso 750 was released when I was in high school and I thought it was a thing of pure beauty.  My first ride (as a passenger) on a motorcycle was on a Ducati so I already had the bug, but the Paso and the F1 really set the hook in me as a Ducati fan.

They seem to be popping up for sale a fair amount these days. As Gene notes, you can get a nice example of the most refined model (907ie) for under $5,000:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ducati-Sport-Touring-1992-DUCATI-907-IE-904cc-FUEL-INJECTED-WATER-COOLED-NICE-ORIGINAL-COND-/291177936097?forcerrptr=true&hash=item43cb8eb4e1&item=291177936097&pt=US_motorcycles

[JoeP]

Soooo, who's Paso was parked outside of the Cilfton pub this last Sunday?

[twolanefun]

Mine, first time I was able to make Bikes and Breakfast due tot other riding commitments. Sorry it took me so long been on some trips etc.... - Gene

[paisano]

What's not to like?


1987 750

I don't think that most people who hate 'em have ever actually seen one.
I bought one of the first 400 imported back in the 80's when they were one of the most lusted-after bikes in the world; sold it a few years later becuz it was such a pita. Always kinda' regretted it, so I bought this one a coupla' yrs ago.
It has a hot-rod engine and the best after-market upgrades available from its era. Shinko makes oem size tires for it now, so I'm able to keep the 16" Technomagnesio wheels.
There's nothing nice about this bike. It is an ill-mannered and unrefined brute, and difficult as hell to start and ride. I love it!
Still a pita tho...

[Curmudgeon]

You must be running the Weber then? 

My Limited ran like a Swiss watch on 38mm Dellortos. Prime the carbs, hit the button. Started first time, every time.  Could never quite get used to the feel of the 16" though and swapped it for a very early NAS spec 851. 

Good to hear that you can get tires! Those Michelins took a while to warm up and were hard as a rock...

[twolanefun]

I have no issues with my 907ie, well minor repairs here and there, motsly recently clogged up fuel pump, fixed. - Gene