The Ducati GT 750: Actually more important than the SS models.
Ducati is one of the many Italian brands that it has regularly had a difficult time. The Ducati GT 750 (1971 - 1974) was an emergency handle that worked out fantastic and the salvation of the brand, and until today became 'the signature' of the brand.
Make money in the States
The American market was the most important market for almost all motorcycle brands. Because there, after Honda made motorcycling socially acceptable (You meet the nicest people on a Honda), the largest buyer circle of all time was born.
Of course, the USA was once the absolute market for the British twins that were quick and well-managed. But manufacturers from others had already taken over that dominant position at the beginning of the 70 years. With Honda at the forefront. But at the time the Americans were also quite charmed by the single-cylinder Ducati who were at the cradle of what is now the reborn Scrambler generation.
But 450 cc had become too light
A fifty-four, that was a fairly heavy motorcycle in the fifties. But in 1971, Honda, BMW and more, more or less important motorcycle manufacturers made motorcycles 'from 650 cc'.
The 750 cc class had become the new standard. And to play along with it, Ducati had to come up with a smart plan.
Use what you have
That thinking was hampered by a lack of resources. There was no money tree on the factory site. That is why a design was made based on the 'top floor' of the single-person houses.
Within half a year after the sketches (August 1970) there was a moving prototype that would determine the face of Ducati. The model shown was an 750cc 'roundcart' with king-shaft driven overhead camshafts. The basis of the engine were two single cylinders on one crankshaft, siamese connected at an angle of 90 degrees. Advantages of this engine design were: the primary imbalance was perfectly balanced, the construction had a low center of gravity and narrow block construction, had good cooling, also from the rear cylinder and the basic design were cost-effective due to the use of parts from the single-cylinder series.
The first V- or L-twin is one without Desmodromic valve control. And of course the first models had their teething problems.
Ducati GT 750: 55hp at 7800rpm About 4.100 Ducati GT 750s have been made. Prices can go up to more than 25D euros.
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