The Ducati 500 Desmo motorcycle was produced between 1978 and 1979. It featured a four-stroke parallel twin cylinder engine with a capacity of 496.9 cc and a compression ratio of 9.6:1. The engine was cooled with air. The bike used a Dell’Orto PHF30BS/BD induction system and had points and coil ignition. The maximum power of the engine was 36.8 kW, or 50 horsepower, at 8,500 rpm. The bike’s transmission included a wet, multiplate clutch and a five-speed gearbox with a primary drive ratio of 2.125:1. The bike had both front and rear brakes featuring Brembo discs. The suspension included a 35mm Paioli telescopic fork at the front and a swing arm with two Marzocchi shocks at the back with three-way adjustability. The bike had a top speed of 185 km/h or 115 mph and a fuel capacity of 14 L, or 3.7 US gal. Its consumption average was 4.7 L/100 km or 21.3 km/L (50 US mpg). These motorcycles weighed 185 kg (408 lbs) and had a seat height of 760 mm (or 29.9 in). Their length was 2050mm, with a width of 710mm and a height of 1060mm. The bike had a wheelbase of 1400mm and used 3.25-18 and 3.50–18 tires at the front and rear, respectively. The bike’s standing quarter-mile was 13.7 seconds.
Technical specifications:
Make Model: Ducati 500 Desmo
| Year | 1978 – 79 |
|---|---|
| Engine | Four stroke, parallel twin cylinder, SOHC, chain driven, 2 valve per cylinder |
| Capacity | 496.9 cc / 30.2 cu in |
| Bore x Stroke | 78 x 52 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.6:1 |
| Cooling System | Air cooled |
| Induction | Dell’Orto PHF30BS/BD |
| Ignition | Points and coil |
| Spark Plug | Champion L81 |
| Starting | Electric |
| Battery | Yuasa Y50-N18L-A1, 12V 18Ah |
| Max Power | 36.8 kW / 50 hp @ 8500 rpm |
| Clutch | Wet, multiplate |
| Transmission | 5 Speed |
| Primary Drive Ratio | 2.125:1 (32/68) |
| Gear Ratios | 1st 2.500 / 2nd 1.714 / 3rd 1.333 / 4th 1.074 / 5th 0.900:1 |
| Final Drive Ratio | 2.923:1 (13/38) |
| Final Drive | Chain |
| Frame | Tubular steel, double downtube |
| Front Suspension | 35 mm Paioli telescopic fork |
| Rear Suspension | Swing arm, 2 x Marzocchi shocks, 3-way adjustable |
| Front Brakes | 2 x 256 mm Brembo discs |
| Rear Brakes | Single 260 mm Brembo disc |
| Front Tyre | 3.25-18 |
| Rear Tyre | 3.50-18 |
| Dimensions | Length: 2050 mm / 80.7 inWidth: 710 mm / 28.0 inHeight: 1060 mm / 41.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 1400 mm / 55.1 in |
| Seat Height | 760 mm / 29.9 in |
| Dry Weight | 185 kg / 408 lbs |
| Fuel Capacity | 14 L / 3.7 US gal / 3.1 Imp gal |
| Consumption Average | 4.7 L/100 km / 21.3 km/l / 50 US mpg / 60 Imp mpg |
| Standing 1/4 Mile | 13.7 sec |
| Top Speed | 185 km/h / 115 mph |
