Ducati 500 Desmo Sport (1976-83)

The Ducati 500 Desmo Sport motorcycle was produced between 1976 and 1983. It features a four-stroke, parallel twin-cylinder engine with a capacity of 496.9 cc, and has a compression ratio of 9.6:1. The bike is air-cooled and has a Dell’Orto PHF30BS/BD induction, with ignition powered by points and coil. It produces a maximum power of 36.8 kW / 50 hp at 8500 RPM. The bike has a wet, multiplate clutch with a 5-speed transmission and a 2.923:1 final drive ratio. The frame is made of tubular steel and has a double downtube, while the front suspension consists of a 35mm Paioli telescopic fork and the rear suspension is a swing arm with two Marzocchi shocks, which are 3-way adjustable. Front brakes consist of 2 x 256 mm Brembo discs, while the rear has a single 260 mm Brembo disc. The bike sits on 3.25-18 front tires and 3.50-18 rear tires with a wheelbase of 1400 mm. The seat height is 760 mm, with a dry weight of 185 kg. The bike has a fuel capacity of 14 L and boasts an average fuel consumption of 4.7 L/100 km. The bike can reach a top speed of 185 km/h and complete a standing 1/4 mile in 13.7 seconds.

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Technical specifications:

Make Model: Ducati 500 Sport Desmo

Year: 1976 – 83

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