1974 DUCATI 450 DESMO
BUILT BY DUCATI MECCANICA S.p.A.
FROM BOLOGNA, ITALY
COURTESY OF JOHN GOLDMAN
PHOTOS BY TED7
Ducati distilled its best attributes into their last single-cylinder road bike. The company earned its reputation with singles designed by Fabio Taglioni, almost all with shaft-and-bevel drive for their overhead camshaft engines. The last used Taglioni’s signature desmodromic system, with valves positively opened and closed using multiple camshafts. The 1974 Desmo singles were miniatures of the 750 Sport, with yellow paint and black racing stripes,in a pure café racer style, which are the most beautiful of all Ducati singles.
435cc single-cylinder desmodromic overhead camshaft, 5-speed, 287lbs, 27hp @6700rpm, 99mph top speed
Built from 1973 to 1974
