Length: 2000 mm / 78.7 in
Width: 600 mm / 23.6 in
Height: 940 mm / 37.0 in
Seat Height
735 mm / 28.9 in
Dry Weight
128 kg / 282 lbs
Fuel Capacity
15 Litres / 4.0 US gal / 3.3 Imp gal
Top Speed
170 km/h / 106 mph
Desmodromic Emerges
The narrow case Ducati single cylinders were selling well and known worldwide
through out the decade. Later in the decade when Ducati introduced the wide-case
production models they represented the pinnacle of Ducati singles for the times.
A single camshaft that was driven by bevel gears characterized the wide-case
Ducati motorcycles.
As a direct descendent of the narrow-case family, the Ducati 250cc and 350cc
versions of the wide-case models were first produced in the spring of 1968. The
Ducati 450cc was added in the following year. The performance and elegant
mechanics of the motorcycles immediately caught the attention of motorcycle
enthusiasts worldwide.
Perhaps the most famous wide-case Ducati was the Scrambler. The Ducati Scrambler
motorcycle sold tens of thousands around the world, leading to its legendary
status. The fast and agile Ducati Mark 3 sports model was soon joined by the
Ducati Mark 3D - the first Ducati with the now famous Desmodromic valve gear on
a production model.
The word ‘Desmodromic' is not actually derived from Italian but rather from two
Greek roots, desmos (meaning - linked) and dromos (meaning - track). The Ducati
Desmodromic system is unique in that the valves are positively closed and opened
by a cam and leverage system, rather than relying on standard valve springs. The
same basic Desmodromic layout continues to win world championships today and is
deeply seated in the Ducati Brand identify.