Web Analytics

 Ducati - 350 Mk 3 Desmo
 Back to brands list


Ducati Mk 3 Desmo motocyclette motorrad motorcycle vintage classic classique scooter roller moto scooter
Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
2602

Capacity : 350
Model : Mk 3 Desmo
Production : 1973 - 1974
Category : (R) Street Bike

DUCATI

350 Mk 3 Desmo - 1973

A racing legend

Ducati was a major electrical manufacturing company that diversified into two-wheelers via the "Cucciolo" ("Little Pup") 50cc clip-on power unit for pedal cycles immediately after WWII. The first complete Ducati motorcycle was launched in 1950.

Over-the-Counter Racers

The head of the new venture, Giuseppe Montano, realized that the best way of promoting the Ducati name was to enter races – and win them! In 1954, Montano recruited an outstanding engineer named Fabio Taglioni as chief designer. He began with the overhead-camshaft 98cc "Marianna" Gran Sport, a high-performance, easy-to-maintain, over-the-counter racer that sold 350 units.

Revolutionary Design

Taglioni developed a desmodromic cylinder head to prevent the valves from hitting the piston at high revolutions. The cams closed the valves as well as opened them. This enabled the engine to rev as high as 14,000 rpm. The new design made its debut in the 1956 Swedish Grand Prix, where works rider Degli Antoni won the 125cc race. The Ducati racers shattered the domination of MV in 125cc racing. In the 1958 Italian GP, Ducatis took the first five places and only one MV finished. At the end of 1968, desmo engines became available in road-going Ducatis in 250, 350 and 450cc capacities. The roadsters had a single camshaft carrying the opening and closing cams to cut production costs.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 340cc (76x75mm) air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke

Power Rating: 24.2 hp @ 7000 rpm

Valves: Single overhead-camshaft with desmodromically controlled valves

Fuel System: 29mm carburetor

Transmission: 5-speed, chain final drive

Suspension: telescopic forks (front); swing arm with twin spring/dampers (rear)

Brakes: twin drums (front); drum (rear); front disc optional (standardized in 1974)

Wheels: wire (front & rear)

Weight: 300 lb

Maximum Speed: 96 mph

The Ducati Desmo was very popular, as the inset 19 74 photo of factory stocks awaiting delivery shows, but production ended in 1975.




Le fichier Moto Passion réalisé par François-Marie Dumas réunit près de deux mille photos accompagnées d'un historique très complet des machines présentées.
Il sera progressivement mis à jour ici et toute information complémentaire est la bienvenue sur info@moto-collection.org.

Cette documentation unique, qui constitue sans doute l'encyclopédie la plus exhaustive jamais écrite sur l'histoire de la moto, a été réalisée avec l'assistance de nombreux spécialistes dont principalement Didier Ganneau, Christophe Gaime, Mick Woollett, Jean Goyard, Bernard Salvat, Christian Rey, Yves Campion, Helmut Krackowizer, Michael Dregni, Michel Montange, etc. que je remercie ici.

Disponible sur demande :
- Les fiches originales sur papier
- Les photos et archives signées de mon nom en haute définition ou les documents originaux.
Me contacter sur info@moto-collection.org pour les conditions et droits d'utilisation.