G'day all, last month my wife relented and let me buy another bike after 8 long years without one. I had my eye on a fully restored red Paso 750 but it was 400 km away. I was tossing up whether to hang onto the dream or just go and buy a 900ss from the local dealer (my 2nd choice) as she was refusing to drive me, when I saw a "slightly used" dark blue 906 for sale online located 2 suburbs away.
I went and checked it out and when I got there I couldnt believe how mistreated this poor bike had been. There were cobwebs in the air intakes, rust on every bolt head and all over the discs. It had done 55000 kms and its last service was at 18000 kms!!! The rear tyre was bald and the front wasnt far behind. The seat had no vinyl, the left hand side mirror was missing, both front indicators were cracked, chain was stretched and both sprockets worn.
I pushed the starter and she fired up first go...much to my surprise!! He told me it had a new battery and no electrical issues what so ever.... As she sat there bubbling away I fell in love. I geared up and took it out for a test ride. It did everything it should and the rust on the discs had gone after a few kays, so upon my return I haggled hard saying I would need to spend at least 3k on it gettin it back to roadworthy. I got it for 4k. I had to go and get the money so the owner suggested I take it up to my place and show my wife and bring back the cash, so I did. My wife gave her blessing so I set off again via the bank. As I was about half way back to sellers house the bike died. I know nothing about Ducatis as Ive never owned one so I rang the owner who came out with a jump pack. He went straight to the fuse under the seat and pulled it out. It was blown so he replaced it with one he brought with him. It wouldnt turn the starter until he connected the jump pack. It roared to life and off I went. I know what youre thinking...and alarm bells were ringing in my head too but I was in love so I laid the money down. After signing the papers and getting a jump start I headed for home. A noneventful trip and as I pulled into the drive my son came out saying "its so loud"...this with stock mufflers! I gave it a rev and shut it down...just as it dropped its guts all over the driveway
if I didnt have buyers remorse before, I had it now.
It ended up being the neck of the expansion tank in the cooling system. I hunted high and low for another one but couldnt find one. During my search I stumbled across this forum...what a god send this forum and all your information has been. With everything Ive read here I have managed to give Daisy (her new name) a full service including cam belts (which scared the shit out of me until I did it!), new cooling system hoses, CBR600 cap conversion, new chain and sprockets and of course the mandatory aftermarket regulator which was not charging the battery, a new set of Golden Tyres (which are actually very good), recover the seat, etc.
My wife gave me a budget so I couldnt go overboard but I think she's come up real nice.
Thankyou all so much for posting your problems and your solutions for all to see. They have saved me at least 2k in costs and given me the satisfaction of doing it myself. Another Paso lives on
Lane
...project 906 (Daisy)
