The Indy has a very similar frame to the Paso. Kinda ugly square tube. Very close to the Elefant frame which might make an interesting project. Here's a company that uses the Duc engine and makes their own choppers

http://www.13choppers.com

SSSHHH be quiet! He does not have to know that. lol! Anyway the Indy is a better starting point to make a chopper is what my point was... much better than any Paso. But good luck finding an Indiana to do that with as I am sure that they are more rare any Paso.

Yeah, the 13 choppers are COOL! I wonder how many of them are within the $5000 budget?

If it walks like a Duc, talks like a Duc, sounds like a Duc.... it must be a Duc. Sweet Indiana! They have to be one of the rarest. How many were built? I have seen another in person when I lived in CA. Now I am just back in Indiana.

As I already told, here in Italy the Indianas had very bad luck.
When someone used to want (they say so in a good English?) some Italian choppers, used to buy the Guzzis, as the California or the 350/650/750 C (later named Nevada).
So, here in Italy you could pick a good Indiana up for fewest bucks.
And, I also am every time a little bit surprised about your interest on that bike.
Perhaps, you are Ducati fan more than many Italian people.
Ciao

The Indiana is far from what I have in mind. I want to make a Ducati chooper that raise eyebrows. It must carry the name Ducati with respect. Los Angeles is filled with choppers crusing up and down and a Ducati Chopper would really stand out. I remeber when I first got my Paso in 1988 I went down the Sunset Blvd in Hollywood area and there was a croud of motorcyclists parked on the side and when they saw my Paso, the jaws wear dropped. Gosh, that felt so good.

Yes, that's good English, Frankie.

I dunno, Max, I don't know .... but I guess if you must, you must

It`s your bike & your life so do what you want.
But I haven`t seen any good looking custom conversions so far.
Tank & frame limits alot.
But go crazy!

Never discourage creativity, the only thing that will be dodgy about a Ducati chopper will be the handling.
Ducati CHIPCHOP:

Ducati SLIKKCHOP


Ducati CROPCHOP
This Squarecase looks like a Howler!!!!

Ducati EBAYTHINGOCHOP


Looks like fun!!!...............They're still Ducatis.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Marty

Hmm ... Well, yes, I must admit it does look like fun. Go for it, Max. Having had a good look at an Indiana in the flesh, and although I liked it, I guessed you wanted something a little more exotic.

When I was a young fellow, I once rode a blokes chopper, a Triumph Bonnie with forks about six feet long, and it was interesting ...

Thanks guys for having merci on me. We all do get some crazy ideas here and there. So, as a team we should stick together and give this madness some direction.

Gail, thanks for the pictures. The heart of Ducati is beating in those machines.

Skins, are you coming out of the closet too? I wonder how a six feet fork steers on a bike.

Well, it was more than thirty years ago, and I don't remember that much about the bike. It was only a short ride - I remember being somewhat apprehensive about the front end. It was nowhere near as well-built as the examples above seem to be. However I reckon that if any motor can look good in a chopper, it was the old Triumph Bonneville.

Chopping a Duc, I can see that.
Chopping a Paso, I would pass. the frame is ugly, and the front wheel is all wrong, althought the rear wheel is OK. You are kind of stuck with the bars, as the forks are a very odd size, and a new upper tripple clamp is a lot of work. I don't see good chopper material in the Paso, but hey, maybe you do.
a Monster or SS or Elephant would be better starting points. 750s go for cheap, especially if they are ugly.
Speaking of cheap, have you seen the price of 98 ST2? Theres a good starting point. a beat up Pantah is a good starting point also.
The Paso offers no good advantage for a chopper over the other models, except that you already have it.

Cheers,
Phil