Ducati 98 Sport / SS (Sport:1953-58SS:1954-55)

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.

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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