Ducati 500 Desmo (1978-79)

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.

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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