1970 Ducati 250 Mark 3D

Make Model	Ducati 250 Mark 3D Desmo
Year	1970 - 72
Engine	Four stroke, single cylinder, Desmo SOHC, bevel gear driven
Capacity	248.6 cc / 15.2 cu in
Bore x Stroke	74 x 57.8 mm
Compression Ratio	10.0:1
Cooling System	Air cooled
Induction	Dell'Orto SS1 29D carburetor
Ignition	Coil, 6V 30W generator (later 6V 70 W)
Battery	SAFA 3L3 13.5 Ah
Spark Plug	Marelli CW260N / Lodge 2HN
Starting	Kick
Max Power	16.4 kW / 22 hp @ 7500 rpm
Primary Drive Ratio	2.500:1
Transmission	5 Speed
Gear Ratios	1st 2.46 / 2nd 1.73 / 3rd 1.35 / 4th 1.10 / 5th 0.97:1
Final Drive	Chain
Final Drive Ratio	2.812:1
Front Suspension	Hydraulic fork, Ducati 31.5 mm
Rear Suspension	Swingarm, Marzocchi dual shocks, 3-way adjustable
Front Brakes	180mm Drum
Rear Brakes	160mm Drum
Front Tyre	2.75-18
Rear Tyre	3.00-18
Dimensions	Length: 2000 mm / 78.7 in Width: 600 mm / 23.6 in Height: 940 mm / 37.0 in
Wheelbase	1360 mm / 53.5 in
Seat Height	735 mm / 28.9 in
Dry Weight	127 kg / 280 lbs
Fuel Capacity	13 L / 3.4 US gal / 2.9 Imp gal
Standing ¼ Mile	18.9 sec
Top Speed	150 km/h / 93 mph
Road Test	Ducati MK3 Group Test

If you go back to the history of Ducati, you’ll know that the 60’s wasn’t exactly all too kind to the Italian bike maker. With the onus being dubiously put on producing two-stroke bikes, Ducati went back to bikes in the latter part of the decade, developing the "wide-case" single engine in ’67 and ushering a whole new range of bikes that included the Ducati 250 Mark 3.

Despite carrying the same basic overhead-camshaft engine architecture, the 1970 250 Mark 3 featured revised crankcases that were much wider at the rear where it mounted the frame. The sump capacity was increased to 2.5 Litres , and the kick-start was much stronger, as was the new rear frame section. Add all that with a 249 cc SOHC single engine mated to a five-speed transmission and you had a bike that was clearly worth all the attention it received.

In addition to receiving a single filler fuel tank, the 1970 250 Mark 3 also received a speedometer and tachometer mounted on the top triple clamp instead of in the headlight shell.