1969 Ducati 450 Scrambler

Make Model	Ducati 450 Scrambler Jupiter
Year	1968 - 69
Engine	Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, bevel gear driven
Capacity	435.7 cc / 26.6 cu in
Bore x Stroke	86 x 75 mm
Compression Ratio	9.3:1
Cooling System	Air cooled
Induction	Dell'Orto VHB 29 AD
Spark plug	Marelli CW260N / Lodge 2HN
Ignition	Points and coil (electronic from 1973)
Starting	Kick
Battery	SAFA 3L3, 13.5 Ah
Max Power	23 hp / 16.9 kW @ 6500 rpm
Clutch	Wet, multiplate
Transmission	5 Speed
Primary Drive Ratio	2.111:1 (27/57)
Gear Ratios	1st 2.46 / 2nd 1.73 / 3rd 1.35 / 4th 1.10 / 5th 0.97:1
Final Drive Ratio	2.917:1
Final Drive	Chain
Front Suspension	35 mm Marzocchi telescopic fork
Rear Suspension	Swingarm, dual Marzocchi shocks, 3-way adjustable
Front Brakes	Drum, 180 mm
Rear Brakes	Drum, 160 mm
Front Tyre	3.50 x 19, Pirelli
Rear Tyre	4.00 x 18, Pirelli
Dimensions	Length: 2120 mm / 83.5 in Width: 940 mm / 37.0 in Height: 1150 mm / 45.3 in
Wheelbase	1380 mm / 54.3 in
Seat Height	770 mm / 30.3 in
Dry Weight	133 kg / 293 lbs
Fuel Capacity	13 Litres / 3.4 US gal / 2.9 Imp gal

It’s hard to imagine that Ducati has been building bikes for as long as they have. But for all those years in production, you’re bound to get a number of models that have become classics in their own right.

Take the Ducati 450 Desmo Scrambler for example.

With the anticipation of Ducati’s desmodromic valve gear back in the late 60’s, coupled with the success and popularity of the Ducati Scrambler, it figured that the two would somehow be tied-up together to create a completely new bike. That’s when the Ducati 450 Desmo Scrambler was born.

With the technology being fitted into the bike, the 450 Desmo Scrambler became a must-have purchase for Ducati enthusiasts back in the day, in large part because of the bike’s impressive performance credentials, highlighted by a 16.6-second time through the quarter-mile. On top of its performance characteristics, the 450 Desmo Scrambler was also fitted with an individual speedometer and Veglia tachometer rather than the headlight-mounted unit sometimes seen on 250-cc and 350-cc models.