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Ducati 125 Formula 3

Make Model	Ducati 125 Formula 3
Year	1959 - 62
Engine	Four stroke, single-cylinder, OHC, driven by shaft and gevel gears,
Capacity	124 cc / 7.6 cu in
Bore x Stroke	55.3 x 52 mm
Compression Ratio	8.5:1
Cooling System	Air cooled
Lubrication System	Forced oil sump
Induction	Dell'Orto SS1 20C carburetor
Ignition	Battery and coil
Starting	Kick
Max Power	8.9 kW / 12 hp @ 9800 rpm
Transmission	4 Speed
Clutch	Wet, multi-plate
Final Drive	Chain
Front Suspension	Hydraulically damped telescopic forks
Rear Suspension	Swingarm, dual shocks
Front Brakes	Drum
Rear Brakes	Drum
Front Tyre	2.50 -18
Rear Tyre	2.50 -18

The Ducati 125 Formula 3 bikes were born from Fabio Taglioni’s iconic 100-cc Gran Sport, a model that set the pattern for Ducati singles for the next 20 years. With its 100 cc SOHC bevel-drive single generated engine that produced 9 horsepower at 9,000 rpm with a top speed of 80 mph, the Gran Sport became the barometer for all other Ducati single bikes built in the 50’s.

One of the bikes that was born from this lineage is the Formula 3, or F3 for short. Whereas the Gran Sport carried 100 cc at its disposal, the F3’s powertrain was increased to a 125 cc SOHC Desmo single engine, a move that also resulted in a bump in horsepower to 12 ponies at 9,800 rpm and an increased top speed of 93 mph. The Desmodromic valve gear, which mechanically opened and closed the valves, was developed from the Mercedes-Benz technology they used on their straight-eight W196 Grand Prix cars. While Mercedes never used it in on its production cars at that time, Taglioni saw the opportunity to develop it for racing purposes.

Eventually, the Ducati F3 became available in different powertrain trims, including the 125 cc, the 175 cc, and the 250 cc. All these later models gained enclosed valve springs, with the larger bikes also carrying an improved twin-leading shoe Amadoro brake. Steering head angles and rear suspensions were also altered to improve handling while larger megaphone exhausts were fitted into the bike’s overall set-up.

The Ducati Formula 3 is a model that was developed exclusively for racing purposes with Ducati preparing them for private racers.

Source: Top Speed