I'm picking up a 750 Paso Saturday! w/ 10k miles and 3 years storage with old fuel, what should I be looking at other than a general tune-up, cleaning the fuel system and replacing the battery?

If you're riding it home, check the chain tension before you set off. 25mm slack in the middle of the bottom run is perfect. Much safer to be a bit loose than too tight. Too tight can do a lot of damage. As the bike has been sitting for three years, take a can of chain lube and give the chain a spray also before you set off.

If it's a long ride home (more than 30 minutes) it would pay to check the cam belt tensions also before you set off. The belts could be fragile after three years, so keep the revs low (under four thou) on the way home. You should replace the belts as soon as you can.

Thanks for the info, I'm going to be trailering it home. I would rather not attempt riding it before I have a chance to go through it some. I will check the timing belts once I get it home and in the garage.

You'll need to replace the belts. 2 years or 12K miles is the limit. It's an easy job on a 2 valev motor. It should take about 45 minutes after pulling the bodywork.

I'm agree with Mr. Skins and Mr. Slocum, and if this engine never runs during three years I would like to remove the sparks and introduce a little bit of oil engine by the spark hole before the first start because is possible that pistons and rings be stiff. Then you must remember to clean the sparks . Good luck with your resurrection :thumbup:

Thanks, I'll plan to do that right away. I don't have a Ducati dealer in my local area, is there's a online source for parts?

I have 3 in my area and I still mail order from BCM in New Hampshire.

http://www.bcmducati.com

Call and tell them what you need.

Where are you located?

Jon, you might add a link for cam belt replacement.

Great as soon as I get it home I'll start going through it and get a parts order together ( as I'm sure I'll needing more than belts ) and give BCM a call. The bike has Ferracci pipes and a delorto carb, and looks very clean, he stated he has the service receipts and manuals also. I'll keep you up to date on what I find, and get a picture on the forum. Thanks again!

A cam belt change link.

http://tinyurl.com/nz6d

As an added helpful indicator, I mark the belt AND pulleys with a white paint marker. Then I lay the old belt over the new and transfer the white marks to the new belt. The all I do is line up the marks on the new belt and pulley to confirm the proper position.

Well I just got home with the Paso and rolled it into the garage, what a work of art! The bike is spotless and is in showroom condition. The Paso also has a very nice corbin seat and a set of handlebar risers along with 4 binders of usefull information, sevice reciepts, magazines with reviews and tests of the Paso, service manual, owners manual and all very well laid out. This is the most excited I've ever been about a bike! The bike has obviously had the right owners... There however is no side stand, only a center stand? Is this a common thing to do, and is it possible to locate one still? Thanks, Jeff.

Great stuff, Jeff. It sounds like you've had some real good fortune, and what's more, you know it. You should have no trouble getting a sidestand. I can't understand why anyone would remove it - they're so well-designed and useful. I've hooked up a circuit on my sidestand warning light that cuts out the starter motor, just to be safe. If you can't get one where you are (where are you?) I might be able to have one sent to you from NZ - but I'll have to have the money first (probably about US$50 incl postage to the other side of the world) because I've been messed around by a couple of guys in the past, and I don't want my local reputation dented any further. But it may be easier and quicker to try http://www.mdinaitalia.co.uk/ or http://www.ducati-gowanloch.com/ (they're in Aussie and very good, by all accounts) first if you can't get one where you are.

Thanks Skins, yes I know what you mean about being "messed around with" I think some make it their whole life mission, and it's only getting worse. My only thought looking at the bike is maybe there was a clearance issue with the Farracci pipes? I will try the links you provided, if unable to locate I'll let you know and we can work something out on the payment. I am located in Cloquet, Minnesota it's near Duluth and Lake Superior. I took the fuel cap off and the fuel smells really old, the tank has some crud and varnish in it from the fuel going bad and sitting in there so long. I've been debating this evening what's the best to use to flush it out, any recomendations? Also I see now there are two Delortos so I should invest in a carb syncronizing tool to do the servicing correctly, is there one that works beter on this setup than another?

Hey, Jeff! I've never had to flush out a tank, except when I had to weld one, when all I did was empty out the gas and pour in some carbon tetrachloride, but I'd say you can't go wrong using fresh fuel, at least as a first try. There may be something better, but I don't know what it is. You could call a fuel company, like Mobil, and ask to speak to a chemist ...

For synching the carbs, I reckon you can't beat using your ears, fingers, and eyes. I have a method which includes something I call 'the Ducati cuddle', and which I described in my second post on this site, on page 44 (the second from the bottom) of 'All posts by Skins', which I think you can find by going to my 'Profile'.

Jeff,

I have a used side stand around here somewhwere. Let me find it and take a pic for you.