1972 Ducati 750GT

Make Model	Ducati 750GT
Year	1972
Engine	Four stroke, 90°“L”twin cylinder, SOHC, 2 valves per cylinder, bevel gear driven
Capacity	748 cc / 45.6 cu-in
Bore x Stroke	80 x 74.4 mm
Compression Ratio	8.5:1
Induction	2 x 30mm Amal R 930/76
Cooling System	Air cooled
Spark Plugs	Marelli CW 260T, Lodge 3HN
Ignition	Points and coil
Battery	Yuasa 12N-12A-4A-12V
Starting	Kick
Max Power	41.9 kW / 57 hp @ 7700 rpm
Clutch	Wet, multiplate
Transmission	5 Speed
Primary Drive Ratio	2.448:1 (29/71)
Gear Ratios	1st 2.237 / 2nd 1.562 / 3rd 1.203 / 4th 1.000 / 5th 0.887:1
Final Drive Ratio	2.250:1 (16/36)
Final Drive	Chain
Front Suspension	38 mm Marzocchi fork
Rear Suspension	Dual shocks, Marzocchi 305 mm, 3-way adjustable
Front Brakes	Single 280mm disc
Rear Brakes	200 mm Drum
Front Tyre	3.25-19
Rear Tyre	3.50-18
Dimensions	Length 2250 mm / 88.6 in Width 710 mm / 28.0 in Height 1070 mm / 42.1 in
Wheelbase	1530 mm / 60.2 in
Seat Height	780 mm / 30.7 in
Dry Weight	185 kg / 408 lbs
Fuel Capacity	17 Litres / 4.5 US gal
Top Speed	200 km/h / 124 mph

Designed by the legendary Fabio Taglioni, Ducati's first road-going v-twin - the 750GT - arrived in 1971. Lacking the resources of larger Japanese rivals, Ducati had made the most of what it already possessed to create one of the all-time great post-war motorcycles. A 90-degree vee, the engine looked like two of the Bologna firm's bevel-drive, overhead-cam singles on a common crankcase (which in essence it was) though the coil valve springs represented a departure from Ducati's traditional hairpins. The 90-degree layout made for exceptional smoothness and a lengthy wheelbase, a handicap more apparent than real that failed to stop the fine-handling Ducatis notching up a succession of wins in Formula 750 events, commencing with Paul Smart's famous victory at Imola in 1972.

"Unlike a good proportion of modern big bikes, the Ducati is a totally balanced machine. It's dominated by the throbbing V-twin motor, yet you feel that the bike has been designed as an entity, with all other components matching the engine's performance," enthused Bike magazine, testing a 750GT in 1974.