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Ducati 650SL Pantah

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Make Model

Ducati 650SL Pantah

Year

1983 - 86

Engine

Four stroke, 90°“L”twin cylinder, SOHC, desmodromic 2 valve per cylinder, belt driven

Capacity

649cc / 39.6 cu in

Bore x Stroke

82 x 61.5 mm

Compression Ratio

10.0:1
Cooling System Air cooled

Induction

Dell'Orto PHF36A

Spark Plugs

Champion L82Y

Ignition

Bosch BTZ Electronic

Battery

Yuasa 12V 14Ah

Starting

Electric

Max Power

46.3 kW / 63 hp @ 8500 rpm

Max Torque

45 Nm / 4.6 kgf-m / 33.2 ft-lb @ 6000 rpm

Clutch

Wet,multiplate

Transmission

5 Speed

Primary Drive Ratio

2.226:1 (31/69)

Gear Ratios

1st 2.500 / 2nd 1.714 / 3rd 1.333 / 4th 1.074 / 5th 0.966

Final Drive Ratio

2.733:1 (15/41)

Final Drive

Chain

Front Suspension

35 mm Marzocchi fork

Rear Suspension

Marzocchi dual shock absorbers with 3-way adjustable coil spring

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:     700 mm / 27.6 in
Height:  1280 mm / 50.4 in

Wheelbase

1450mm / 57.1 in

Seat Height

770 mm / 30.3 in

Dry Weight

180 kg / 397 lbs

Fuel Capacity 

18 L / 4.8 US gal / 4.0 Imp gal
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In 1983 Ducati created the 650SL, increasing the engine to 82mm by 61.5mm which finally produced the missing mid-range torque and raised maximum power to 63bhp at 8500rpm. This 649cc machine shared engine dimensions with the contemporary 750 racer and allowed Ducati to pass homologation, but it also created the pride of the Pantah pack - the most sought-after model of the SL range.

The 650 looked very much like its 600 sibling as they shared the red and yellow livery of the F2 factory racers. It also shared the unfortunate fuel cap which allowed water into the petrol tank.

Apart from that, the 650 is recognised by the cognoscenti as 'the one to have' among the SL models - if you can ever find one for sale, that is.

Photo: Phil Aynsley Photography