Ducati 500 SL Pantah (1981-83)

The Ducati 500SL Pantah was produced from 1981-1983 and featured a four-stroke, 90 degrees L twin-cylinder engine with desmodromic SOHC and 499cc capacity. The bike had a compression ratio of 9.5:1 and was equipped with two Dell’Orto PHM 36 mm carburetors and a Bosch PTZ electronic ignition. It had a maximum power of 33.1 kW/45 hp at 9050 rpm and was capable of reaching a top speed of 196 km/h or 121.8 mph. The bike had a wet, multi-plate clutch and a 5-speed transmission with gear ratios of 1st 2.500, 2nd 1.714, 3rd 1.333, 4th 1.074, and 5th 0.900:1. The final drive ratio was 2.533:1 or 2.786:1 and the final drive was a chain. The bike had a tubular steel trellis frame and was equipped with front Marzocchi or Paioli fork suspension and rear Marzocchi or Paioli dual shock absorbers with 3-way adjustable coil springs. The front brakes consisted of two 260mm discs with 2 piston calipers while the rear brake was a single 260mm disc with a 1 piston caliper. The bike had a dry weight of 180 kg or 397 lbs and a fuel capacity of 18 L or 4.8 US gal/4.0 Imp gal. The bike had dimensions of length 2150 mm, width 670 mm, height 1160 mm, wheelbase 1450 mm, and seat height 760 mm. The front and rear tires were 100/90-18 and 110/90-18, respectively. Highly notable for its speed and powerful engine, the Ducati 500SL Pantah was considered one of the best motorcycles of its time.

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Technical specifications:

Make Model: Ducati 500SL Pantah

Year: 1981 – 83

Engine: Four stroke, 90 degrees L twin cylinder, SOHC, desmodromic, 2 valves per cylinder, belt driven

Capacity: 499 cc / 30.45 cu in

Bore x Stroke: 74 x 58 mm

Compression Ratio: 9.5:1

Induction: 2x Dell’Orto PHM 36 mm carburetors.

Ignition: Bosch PTZ Electronic

Battery: Yuasa 12V 14Ah

Starting: Electric

Max Power: 33.1 kW / 45 hp @ 9050 rpm

Clutch: Wet, multi-plate

Transmission: 5 Speed

Primary Drive Ratio: 2.226:1 (31/69)

Gear Ratios: 1 st 2.500 / 2nd 1.714 / 3rd 1.333 / 4th 1.074 / 5th 0.900:1 (from 1981: 0.931:1)

Final Drive Ratio: 2.533:1 (15/38). From 1981: 2.786:1 (14/39)

Final Drive: Chain

Frame: Tubular steel trellis frame

Front Suspension: 35mm Marzocchi or Paioli fork

Rear Suspension: Marzocchi or Paioli dual shock absorbers with 3-way adjustable coil springs

Front Brakes: 2 x 260mm Discs, 2 piston calipers

Rear Brakes: Single 260 mm disc, 1 piston caliper

Front Tyre: 100/90-18

Rear Tyre: 110/90-18

Dimensions: Length: 2150 mm / 84.6 in Width: 670 mm / 26.4 in Height: 1160 mm / 45.7 in

Wheelbase: 1450 mm / 57.1 in

Seat Height: 760 mm / 29.9 in

Dry Weight: 180 kg / 397 lbs

Fuel Capacity: 18 L / 4.8 US gal / 4.0 Imp gal

Top Speed: 196 km/h / 121.8 mph