The Ducati 450 Desmo motorcycle was made between 1973-74 and featured a four-stroke, single-cylinder engine with a capacity of 435.7 cc. It had a bevel gear-driven, desmodromic SOHC system and a compression ratio of 9.5:1. The bike was air-cooled and had a Dell’Orto VHB 29A induction system along with a Marelli CW260N/Lodge 2HN spark plug and a points and coil (electronic from 1973) ignition system. The bike was kick-started and had a SAFA 3L3, 13.5 Ah battery.
The bike had a maximum power of 19.9 kW/27 hp at 6700 rpm and a wet, multi-plate clutch. The transmission was a five-speed with a primary drive ratio of 2.111:1 (27/57) and gear ratios of 1st 2.46/2nd 1.73/3rd 1.35/4th 1.10/5th 0.97:1. The final drive ratio was 2.6:1 (16/42) and it used a chain.
The front suspension consisted of a 35 mm Marzocchi telescopic fork (from 1974: 35 mm Ceriani) while the rear suspension was a swingarm with dual Marzocchi shocks that were 3-way adjustable. The bike also had a single 280 mm disc brake on the front and a 150 mm drum brake on the back. It used a 2.75-18 front tire and either a 3.00 x 18 or 3.25 x 18 rear tire.
In terms of dimensions, the bike was 2000 mm in length, 600 mm in width, and 940 mm in height. It had a wheelbase of 1360 mm and a seat height of 735 mm. The bike weighed 130 kg and had a fuel capacity of 13L. The bike was reviewed by Bike Magazine.
Technical specifications:
Make Model: Ducati 450 Desmo
| Year | 1973 – 74 |
|---|---|
| Engine | Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, bevel gear driven, desmodromic |
| Capacity | 435.7 cc / 26.6 cu in |
| Bore x Stroke | 86 x 75 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5:1 |
| Cooling System | Air cooled |
| Induction | Dell’Orto VHB 29 A |
| Spark plug | Marelli CW260N / Lodge 2HN |
| Ignition | Points and coil (electronic from 1973) |
| Starting | Kick |
| Battery | SAFA 3L3, 13.5 Ah |
| Max Power | 19.9 kW / 27 hp @ 6700 rpm |
| Clutch | Wet, multiplate |
| Transmission | 5 Speed |
| Primary Drive Ratio | 2.111:1 (27/57) |
| Gear Ratios | 1st 2.46 / 2nd 1.73 / 3rd 1.35 / 4th 1.10 / 5th 0.97:1 |
| Final Drive Ratio | 2.6:1 (16/42) |
| Final Drive | Chain |
| Front Suspension | 35 mm Marzocchi telescopic fork (from 1974: 35 mm Ceriani) |
| Rear Suspension | Swingarm, dual Marzocchi shocks, 3-way adjustable |
| Front Brakes | Single 280 mm disc |
| Rear Brakes | 150 mm Drum |
| Front Tyre | 2.75-18 |
| Rear Tyre | 3.00 x 18 or 3.25 x 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 | 130 kg / 286 lbs |
| Fuel Capacity | 13 L / 3.4 US gal / 2.9 Imp gal |
| Road Test | Bike Magazine |
