I finally replaced the throw-out bearing and the bronze button on my Paso and got to ride it this weekend. I logged nearly 100 miles on Friday and over 200 miles yesterday. I was cruising around in the mountain twisties of South Carolina and the north-eastern section of Georgia. It had been a few months since I'd really ridden the Paso and forgot how light and nimble it feels. I was chasing my wife on her 2001 M900ie, yesterday, and having a blast on it.

Since putting the bike back together, I had been staying fairly local, just in case something was to happen, but yesterday, I strayed the greatest distance from the house....about 100 miles. 100 miles may not sound like much, but the tight, twisty roads would mean nearly a three hour drive with the car and trailer if I had to tow it home. The little bike did wonderfully well, but at times I really noticed the lack of power and top end speed. The Paso seemed to strain a little on some of the steeper inclines, and eventhough it will go faster, the engine appears to feel uncomfortable at speeds over 80 mph for extended periods of time with the stock gearing. It can handle some good cornering speeds, which is where "it" really counts when riding, right?

I really like the bike and plan on keeping it around for a good while. It makes for a nice addition to the collection. I just need to remind myself that it is not my 748 when I'm riding it.

This is the only decent picture I took while on the ride...

Now she have much nicer clothes!

Desmo-Demon, have You check Your 748 rocker arm surfaces??? I have changed to my ST4S already 4 arms, cause they are easy to loose that surface. its common problem to that time area 4 valvers.... Maybe Yours is enough old, that You have better quality rocker arms? Mine is 2002 modell. I have changed to my 4 valve engine softer springs (from 748R) to desmo system to avoid too much pressure between rocker arms and cams. Its very important to use very good quallity oil in 4 valve engine to keep that area well lubricated...

I have heard from many sources, that those 748 engines need totally rebuild after factory, as they were build "like in hurry". I send my old arms here: http://www.ducati-kaemna.de/cms_en/kata ... rtikel=504 and i get back after few days totally very well rebuild ones. It function so, that they have rebuild ones waiting in shelves and when u send yours there, they send back fastly rebuild ones... Its pitty, that u cant know surface condition without taking cams away..

Btw, i use in all my bikes Shell Advance Ultra 15W-50. It fits better to gearbox, than my previous oil Mobil 1 fully synthetic 5W-50. Maximum 5000kms