1981 Ducati Pantah 500 SL overview

[@williamjohonson5459]

Great motorcycle , well ahead of its time , the conti pipes are a good replacement and improve performance , getting rid of the air box also helps , if the clutch slips at high rpm replace the clutch plates and springs , don't put heavy springs in it'll just make it harder to pull in the clutch lever , Pantahs are known for wearing out clutches , the carbs are also known for wearing out slides and that's where people have problems tuning them , I've been working on these bikes for over 40years still do and still enjoy my work : )

[@javiervazquez-vm4ug]

Que gran moto , 500 más rápida en su momento. Cuando hicieron segundos en las 6 horas de calafat, en la misma vuelta, que la Yamaha tz 700. Fue genial

[@alanhynd7886]

Used to do everything with this bike. Club Race, toured 2 up through Europe, commuted through London. Absolute favourite. Didn't have that many weak spots, but if pushed: One batch run had dodgy gears, I think it was a 500 batch with the later fairing. The clutches sometime slip until you fit stronger springs. If really pressed on a track the front end would flex, causing fearsome tank slappers, something that can be alleviated by a well made and well fitted fork brace. The overweight original exhausts rust quickly. It's probably better to fit aftermarket 2:1 pipes and leave the originals in the garage for later resale. The engine is fairly bulletproof. The rear mudguard is superfluous. I took mine off and fitted the registration plate and light straight onto the frame, saved about 5 pounds and looks better. The fairing is tough as nails, I must have dropped it a dozen times, it can also stash a decent amount of kit in it. I think I fitted a tent down one side of the fairing and a thin sleeping bag in the other when touring. The seat isn't ideal for a pillion going long distance unless they are very petite. The translation in the handbook was appalling. Never owned a more fun vehicle. Still have the trophies somewhere.

[@cameronaustin4997]

one of my old mates had one ,seat could have done with some more padding

[@andrewpatton2510]

Love the Pantah! Thanks for a detailed, interesting post.

[@wakinossin]

Thanks for watching!

[@TheDucpilot]

Great looking bike you have! I Just got myself the same bike in exact the same colour scheme. Still working on the carburettors, as it doesn't run smoothly. Nevertheless, I find looking at it very satisfying already :o))

[@squatter2983]

!st ones had fiberglass fairings , then injection molded

[@wakinossin]

So true.

[@emppowersportsandmarine6270]

Yes, the final Pantah was a 650 and I have one.

[@wakinossin]

Lucky guy! I've never seen one in person here in Ontario Canada.

[@emppowersportsandmarine6270]

@@wakinossin mine is a 1985 Cagiva Alazzurra 650. I will eventually be bringing it to Kingston Ontario Canada. My wife is from there and we are moving back this summer. All my bikes are going into storage until we are settled.

[@wakinossin]

@@emppowersportsandmarine6270 Oh, well that's what this one is too - a Cagiva 650, though a 1986. Hope your move goes well.

[@emppowersportsandmarine6270]

@@wakinossin it will, my wife is happy to be moving home. Arabella has always hated Idaho. A ridding buddy in California has a 1982 Pantah 600SL. It’s a really neat little bike and rich fly’s on it.

[@wakinossin]

@@emppowersportsandmarine6270 Yes if you look at my other videos I have a 500SL and a 600SL. They're both fabulous. Safe travels!

[@paljevanord8346]

Hi, I'm putting together my 500SL these days. I wonder where did you buy the handlebar mirrors?

[@wakinossin]

Those are Rizoma bar end mirrors. I like them though they're pricey and even the mounting hardware costs a bunch.

[@ramiroamorrortu6295]

www.ebay.es/itm/233800030012?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20201210111314%26meid%3D1fa25db9ece545609aa7f3d20bf70cd5%26pid%3D101195%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D232349007824%26itm%3D233800030012%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv11WebTrimmedV3MskuWithRevOptLambda85KnnRecallV1&_trksid=p2047675.c101195.m1851&amdata=cksum%3A2338000300121fa25db9ece545609aa7f3d20bf70cd5%7Cenc%3AAQAHAAABEPZqctS1aW2Gn1fMafrLrPa7%252BqLD2Pgo5GTgCDTJgIpBMBHaBHcFvdVGNBWeIytK8f1wzF%252BzxLGmD%252BVjC1jJCjiKKeMYvzv1%252FAT3NJRJQacLL0AoKO4TCT7Z0SdTb3LoL09SakXPaNfQa0BNKubx5N5EHwwscr8W6qZx9aks3K4%252FKhFWwbIACVH2EXjwmXWnscjTtcAT7Z2YugSxKsRnQ8%252FaXWgbJ1hYJQamb1QlJLbpzcFnfspy7oXR7u%252BZxqFEDdwH3UHbd9aqPHHt%252BHM5PHz90EJS4KfqPf%252F7KESsbEv4wLF3rxVjfpxx6FhrK6sVuhVHexJfPs9y11FMB%252FzrypnoZoW7YZiB6%252BEQb06HZh0n%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2047675&epid=1277664233

[@beatlloydy]

Nice bike...i had the 84 650 Pantah from 2003 to 2015..it fit my 5'11" frame like a glove. My ex sold it on me in 2015 for $3k aus in and it was probably worth $20k aud ($13k usd or so)..i was in no fit mental state to argue..today i picked up a totaly rebuilt mint stock 500 SL for $16k aud (approx $10.5kusd..it is showroom almost as new. ironocally in 1981 i put a deposit on one without telling her (we had just moved in together and i was 18) but she "convinced" me to get my deposit back..ive been single for 8 years and now own a 9/10 76 860Gts (has 98000km on it but totally restored) a totally restored 1967 250 Monza, ' a 2019 scrambler cafe and a 75 Honda 400 four. i also have various other bikean and electric motorcyles..i sort of did it as a eff you to her but i dont talk to her. i love the ducatis and also want a 2008 classic 1000s. They live better than i do in their new lined container home.

[@wakinossin]

Interesting and a bit sad. Hope all is well going forward.