DUCATI

500 GTV / Sport Desmo - 1978

Blind alley

Ducati's enviable reputation is based on its singles, its V-twins, and – above all – on its desmodromic valve gear, which positively opens and closes the valves. Nevertheless, the marque has attempted to branch out in different directions, as it did with the four-cylinder Apollo and with two-stroke singles.

A Project from 1965

In 1965, Ducati built an advanced 500cc vertical twin with 180-degree firing intervals (later popularized by Honda). Highly over-square at 74x58mm, with two 27mm carburetors, five speeds and a power output of 40 hp at 6000 rpm, it never made production. Later, however, the idea began to gel with the even more over-square (78x52mm) 500 GTL.

Starting All Over Again

In 1976, Ducati once more dusted off the project, replaced the simple-cradle frame with a double-cradle construction, fitted-alloy wheels and three disc brakes and modernized the styling. The GTL became the GTV, and there was even a Desmo version that developed over 12 hp more. The specification was also upgraded, with Japanese-style instrumentation, storage lockers and finish. But despite all these efforts, the vertical-twin Ducatis were a resounding flop. Too costly and incapable of competing with the more sophisticated Japanese bikes, they had lost the distinctive personality of the marque. Ducati did a smart about-face and, in 1977, launched its first Pantah 500 V-twin, starting a line that would culminate fifteen years later in the World Championship-winning Ducati.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 497cc (78x52mm) air-cooled 180-degree parallel-twin four-stroke

Power Rating: 33.6 hp @ 6500 rpm (Desmo 46 hp)

Valves: overhead-camshaft

Fuel System: two 30mm carburetors

Transmission: 5-speed, chain final drive

Suspension: telescopic forks (front); swing arm (rear)

Brakes: twin disc (front); disc (rear)

Wheels: 18 inch light-alloy (front & rear)

Weight: 419 lb

Maximum Speed: 103 mph (Desmo 116 mph)

Despite their advanced specification, the GTV and Desmo Sport shown were disappointing to customers and were soon withdrawn.