The Ducati 98 Sport/SS motorcycle was produced from 1953 to 1958 and came with a 98cc four-stroke, single cylinder, OHV, pushrod engine capable of producing up to 6.8 horsepower. The bike had a Dell’Orto carburetor for fuel induction, a 6V, 25W flywheel magneto for ignition, and was kick-start only. The bike had a four-speed transmission and a dry sump lubrication system. The press steel backbone frame held a Marzocchi hydraulically damped telescopic fork in the front and non-adjustable twin hydraulic shocks in the rear, with a swingarm. Drum brakes were added to both the front and rear with 159mm and 137mm drums, respectively. CEAT tires were used, with a 2.50-17 in the front and a 2.75-17 in the rear. The bike weighed 75kg dry and 81kg wet, with a fuel capacity of 13 liters. It could reach a top speed of 56mph for the Sport and 59mph for the SS.
Technical specifications:
Make Model: Ducati 98 Sport / SS
| Year | Sport: 1953 – 58 SS: 1954 – 55 |
|---|---|
| Engine | Four stroke, single cylinder, OHV, pushrod |
| Capacity | 98 cc / 6.0 cu in |
| Bore x Stroke | 49 x 52 mm |
| Compression Ratio | Sport: 9:1 SS: 10:1 |
| Cooling System | Air cooled |
| Lubrication System | Dry sump |
| Induction | Sport: Dell’ Orto MA18B carburetor SS: Dell’ Orto MB20B carburetor |
| Ignition | 6V, 25W, Flywheel magneto |
| Starting | Kick |
| Max Power | 1953 – 54: 5.0 kW / 6.8 hp @ 7300 rpm 1955 – 58: 4.8 kW / 6.5 hp @ 7000 rpm |
| Transmission | 4 Speed |
| Final Drive | Chain |
| Primary Drive | 3.454 |
| Gear Ratios | 1st 2.69 / 2nd 1.85 / 3rd 1.36 / 4th 1:1 |
| Final Drive | 2.706 |
| Frame | Pressed steel backbone |
| Front Suspension | Marzocchi hydraulically damped telescopic fork. |
| Rear Suspension | Non-adjustable twin hydraulic shocks, swingarm. |
| Front Brakes | 159 mm Drum |
| Rear Brakes | 137 mm Drum |
| Front Tyre | 2.50 – 17 CEAT |
| Rear Tyre | 2.75 – 17 CEAT |
| Dimensions | Length: 1890 mm / 74 in Width: 660 mm / 26 in Height: 960 mm / 38 in |
| Wheelbase | 1200 mm / 47.2 in |
| Seat Height | 760 mm / 30 in |
| Dry Weight | 75 kg / 165 lbs |
| Wet Weight | 81 kg / 179 lbs |
| Fuel Capacity | 13 L / 3.7 US gal / 3.1 Imp gal |
| Top Speed | Sport: 90 km/h / 56 mph SS: 95 km/h / 59 mph |
