Ducati 250 Mark 3 Desmo (1968-69)

The Ducati 250 Mark 3D Desmo motorcycle was produced from 1968 to 1969 and had a four-stroke, single-cylinder Desmo SOHC engine with a capacity of 248.6 cc. It had a compression ratio of 10.0:1 and used a Dell’Orto SS1 29D carburetor. The ignition system consisted of a coil and 6V 30W generator, later upgraded to a 6V 70W system, and a SAFA 3L3 13.5 Ah battery. The bike had a kickstarter and could produce a maximum power of 16.4 kW or 22 hp at 7500 rpm. It had a five-speed transmission, with gear ratios ranging from 2.46 to 0.97:1. The final drive was via chain, with a final drive ratio of 2.812:1. The front suspension was a hydraulic fork system, while the rear suspension used a swingarm with Marzocchi dual shocks that could be three-way adjusted. The front and rear brakes were drums, with sizes of 180mm and 160mm, respectively. The bike had a length of 2000 mm, width of 600 mm, height of 940 mm, and a wheelbase of 1360 mm. Its dry weight was 127 kg, and its fuel capacity was 13 L. The bike could reach a top speed of 150 km/h and complete a standing quarter-mile in 18.9 seconds.

---

Technical specifications:

Make Model: Ducati 250 Mark 3D Desmo

Year: 1968 – 69

Engine: Four stroke, single cylinder, Desmo SOHC, bevel gear driven

Capacity: 248.6 cc / 15.2 cu in

Bore x Stroke: 74 x 57.8 mm

Compression Ratio: 10.0:1

Cooling System: Air cooled

Induction: Dell’Orto SS1 29D carburetor

Ignition: Coil, 6V 30W generator (later 6V 70 W)

Battery: SAFA 3L3 13.5 Ah

Spark Plug: Marelli CW260N / Lodge 2HN

Starting: Kick

Max Power: 16.4 kW / 22 hp @ 7500 rpm

Primary Drive Ratio: 2.500:1

Transmission: 5 Speed

Gear Ratios: 1st 2.46 / 2nd 1.73 / 3rd 1.35 / 4th 1.10 / 5th 0.97:1

Final Drive: Chain

Final Drive Ratio: 2.812:1

Front Suspension: Hydraulic fork, Ducati 31.5 mm

Rear Suspension: Swingarm, Marzocchi dual shocks, 3-way adjustable

Front Brakes: 180mm Drum

Rear Brakes: 160mm Drum

Front Tyre: 2.75-18

Rear Tyre: 3.00-18

Dimensions: Length: 2000 mm / 78.7 in Width: 600 mm / 23.6 in Height: 940 mm / 37.0 in

Wheelbase: 1360 mm / 53.5 in

Seat Height: 735 mm / 28.9 in

Dry Weight: 127 kg / 280 lbs

Fuel Capacity: 13 L / 3.4 US gal / 2.9 Imp gal

Standing 1/4 Mile: 18.9 sec

Top Speed: 150 km/h / 93 mph