Shortly after Cagiva’s agreement to use Ducati engines, they bought controlling interest in the company in 1985, and breathed some design and engineering funding into the company. Responding to competition from the east, the Castiglionis hired Bimota founder Massimo Tamburini to design the new 750 cc model. The result was the Paso, with full fairing concealing the 750F1 engine and 5-speed, named for Ducati racer Renzo Pasolini, who died in an accident at Monza in 1973.
1988 Ducati 750 Paso Limited for sale on eBay
Cam drive now by timing belt instead of bevel gears, the air-cooled 748 cc desmodue developed 73 hp. Use of a two-barrel Weber carburetor required the rear cylinder to be reversed. Doubly odd for a Ducati, a square-tube frame, none of it visible, hidden beneath the curves of the all-encompassing tupperware. Marzocchi air adjustable forks are 42mm, and at the back is an Öhlins monoshock. Three similar-sized brake disks, dual 280mm fronts with 270mm rear.
Not quite sure what makes this particular Paso a Limited, exhaust system, livery perhaps ? There were only 50 Limiteds, but any Paso constitutes a limited edition as sales never took off and production over the five years was just a few thousand. A ground-breaking design, very well resolved, and this one in super nice shape, collector quality. The owner shows off the lovingly detailed mechanicals without the bodywork. From the eBay auction:
Rare Duc! Excellent Condition. In storage since 2006 (ridden occasionally) when it was completely serviced by dealer and any and all updates and repairs were done. Runs strong, despite original Weber carb’s reputation. Barnett Clutch Pack. New battery. New Michelin tires. Comes with Corbin Seat and original seat. Standard U.S. exhaust in black chrome (never used), (has Euro exhaust on since new). Euro tail light. RKA Tank Bag. Ducati Red powder coated wheels to match belly of fairings. All original parts plus Ducati and Clymer Repair Manuals. Some spares. Certified by Ducati Museum to be 1 of only 50 produced. Owner is former dealer.
Not without its faults, the 750 Pasos suffered rideability issues with a flat spot in the torque curve, and while 16-inch wheels helped turn-in, tire selection has been lacking and occasionally impossible. Still it reviewed as a supple handler, hiding its weight well and cradling the rider. Tests from the day poke fun at Cagiva for using the fairing to save money by not having to design and finish the drivetrain for display, just what Tamburini would have had you believe as he was pulling the plastic over your eyes…
-donn
Not so sure about only 50 white Ltd’s imported. Iv’e seen at least 10 on ebay in the last one and half years.
The European exhausts are cool. However the bottom section of this Ltd, has been painted in red rather than the stock charcoal color and the Oscam wheels are powder coated all red. It came from the factory with only the wheel spokes painted red and the rims are polished aluminum. Doesn’t help the collector appeal for this bike.