Ducati 450 Desmo (1973-74)

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.

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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