Ducati 650SL Pantah

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

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.