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Ducati 450 Scrambler: cobbler, stick to your last
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De Ducati 450 Scrambler, also known in the US as the Ducati Jupiter and in Europe as the Ducati 450 SCR, is an on-/off-road 436 cc single cylinder with a single overhead camshaft driven by a kingpin. The Ducati 450 Scrambler The MotoTrans was produced from 1969 to 1974. Total production amounted to approximately 11.000 motorcycles. The model was also produced under license in Spain by MotoTrans. MotoTrans models are now significantly cheaper than the Bologna-made machines.
There was a market for the Ducati 450 Scrambler
In 1968, the global dirt bike market was huge. Every manufacturer wanted a piece of the pie. Ducati was already producing 250 and 350 Scramblers, but the American importer, the Berliner Motor Corporation, requested a version with a larger engine to compete with the BSA 441 Victor. The Americans' requests were actually demands placed on the various manufacturers, who all enthusiastically complied, since the US was simply the dream market.
De Ducati 450 Scrambler The 450 was introduced in 1969 and was the first model to use the 436 cc engine, the largest displacement the OHC engine could technically handle. The frame, whose design received input from the racing department, was a reinforced version of that of the smaller Scramblers, with reinforcements along the top tube. The 450 was used successfully in competition. But in the dirt or on the road, the big Ducs required more maintenance than most Americans were willing to pay.
Technology and maintenance
Very often, you'll find significant damage to your dream engine due to insufficient oil flow, usually caused by poor maintenance, excessively loading the cold engine, and the "groaning" at low revs. Singles loved higher revs and frequent oil changes. That said, most engine components of the Ducati 450 Scrambler and many other parts are still available from various sources.
Restorations, however, are expensive. An additional consideration is that the engines of early Ducatis were hand-assembled and shim-finished to achieve the required precision tolerances. This makes rebuilding one of the kingpin Ducatis labor-intensive and therefore expensive if you can't do it yourself.
The Scramblers are generally not equipped with Desmo heads. That option was available, but apparently only in 1971.
Ducati 450 Scrambler – Value and Pitfalls
And now the crux: “Shoemaker, stick to your last.” The yellow Ducati 450 Scrambler The photos depicted a brave story being told as collateral for a loan to someone who knew money, but not motorcycles. The Ducati was reportedly worth €8.500. The borrower disappeared. After a year, the part-time landlord decided to sell the bike.
The highest bid he received for it was 4.000 euros.
In the early 70s, I drove a 1968 MK3 with great pleasure and without any problems. The engine was well-prepared: race-quality crankshaft and connecting rod bearings, forged piston and connecting rod, precision balancing, flowed head, factory megaphone, alloy wheels, and a GP fairing.
Of course, the oil was changed frequently: it always came out golden yellow and spotlessly clean. I always warmed it up thoroughly before accelerating. It steered like a razor.
Ran 175 km. In short: a fantastic and trouble-free bike!
Fortunately, tastes differ!
Hello, that was true, it happened falsely, it used to happen even worse. Bei normaler Wartung kann man mit den Duc's Jahrzehnte Spaß haben ohne große Kosten. Sollte stop once again authorized and not here yet and that was herumdoktern ))
Terrible motorcycles, I used to have a Ducati 250 Mach 1 and then a Ducati 350 Desmo. Terrible to look at but terrible motorcycles to maintain.
Both motorcycles had been driven for 10000 km, after which they were ready for the scrap heap. Absolutely everything broke down, including bearings, voltage regulators, wiring, and all the fuses in the headlights were intact, and yet everything blew out, not once, but several times.
Leaving with an empty tank bag and returning home with a full tank bag full of dropped parts.
It all sounds very negative but it was very negative.
As a former Duc rider I don't think in problems, but in challenges (he said, crying)
Curious where the differences are, what makes the yellow one so much less valuable
I think it's all just the emotional experience.
Nice bike! How's the vibration with that single-cylinder?
Of course, you forgot to mention the Condor; the Ducati in a Swiss army jacket!
Also no longer cheap, and the performance is less than what one is used to from a Ducati due to downtuning.
But fun games for a MTB route or cross-country track.
You sail like a beast at certain speeds and long distances. The tingling sensation on your hands, feet, and anus.
Duc's are fun and challenging motorcycles.
But give me the Japanese and the Harleys new generation Milwaukee Eight
you're right!!