Publisher Description

When Fabio Taglioni designed his 100cc Gran Sport Marianna back in 1954, it was unlikely he expected this engine to have such a long and lingering influence on Ducati design. Over the next 20 years, the single was developed into a myriad of different types, in capacities up to 436cc, and was the first production engine to utilise desmodromic valves. Incorporating features that continue to this day, the overhead camshaft single would become one of the most important designs in Ducati history. Years of research have resulted in this, the first book to document in detail all the types of Ducati overhead valve singles, making this book an invaluable resource to the collector, restorer, and enthusiasts of these magnificent motorcycles.

Author Biography

One of the world's foremost motorcycle historians, Ian Falloon is the author of more than twenty books on motorcycles including the The Ducati 750 Bible, Ducati 900 Bible, Ducati Story, Moto Guzzi Story, Honda Story, Kawasaki Story, BMW Story, Moto Guzzi Sport Bible and Laverda Twin and Triple Bible. He has a small collection of classic sporting motorcycles, including a 1974 Ducati 750 Super Sport that he has owned since 1976. A freelance contributor to a number of motorcycle magazines around the world, Ian Falloon was born in New Zealand but currently lives in Australia with his wife Miriam, and sons Ben and Tim.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. The Early Singles 100, 125 175 Gran Sport plus early racing versions. Chapter 2. Production models of the late 1950s; 100s, 125s and 175s. Chapter 3. Production Racers; 125, 175 and 250 F3. Chapter 4. The early 1960s; Four-speed 200s, 250s and 160. Chapter 5. Five-speed narrow-case; 125s, 250s and 350s Chapter 6. 250 and 350 production racers; Mach 1/S and SC Chapter 7. First wide-case singles; 250 and 350 from 1967 Chapter 8. Desmo singles; 250 and 350 from 1968 Chapter 9. The largest singles; 450s from 1969. Chapter 10. The 1970s; the 450 R/T and Silver Shotgun Chapter 11. Final singles; 1973 and 1974.

Review

The Book of Ducati Overhead Camshaft Singles 1955-1974 is an encyclopedia for any true-blue Ducati fan and an essential for anyone seriously into this line of historic motorcycles for restoring or collecting. Ultimate MotorCycling you'll want to pick it up time and time again to feast your eyes on such sheer mechanical beauty. Old Bike Mart this book is an invaluable tool to make sure you know what you are getting or building. In fact, you should not even think Ducati singles (or for that matter Ducati to understand its DNA) without having this book to hand! Ian Kerr. Ian Falloon is a debugged connoisseur of the history of Ducati motorcycles, whatever its age, propeller or designer. There are already several books that the British journalist has written and the, together, constitutes on elf the most exhaustive immersions in the history and models of the Italian brand. Now Veloce publishes his last book, the Bible of the Single-Cylinder Ducati, old machines that persist in the heart of the aficionados and that little by little have been revalued in the market of collection. This think volume, with almost four hundred pages and more than a thousand photographs, covers all models of production and racing of Ducati from 1955 to 1974. The result of Falloon's research process offers for the first time to the reader a detailed and clear technical information on one of the incarnations of the Ducati OHC single-cylinder class, ideal for restorer, collectors or enthusiasts. A very complete and valuable book on the first time for the Italian brand, that did not disappoint its followers. - La Moto.

Long Description

When Fabio Taglioni designed his 100cc Gran Sport Marianna back in 1954, it was unlikely he expected this engine to have such a long and lingering influence on Ducati design. Over the next 20 years, the single was developed into myriad different types, in capacities up to 436cc, and was the first production engine to utilise desmodromic valves. Incorporating features that continue to this day, the overhead camshaft single would become one of the most important designs in Ducati history. Years of research have resulted in The Book of Ducati Overhead Camshaft Singles - the first book to document in detail all the types of Ducati overhead valve singles, making this book an invaluable resource to the collector, restorer, and enthusiasts of these magnificent motorcycles. Author Ian Falloon is one of the world's leading motorcycle historians. He has written numerous motorcycle books, including the The Ducati 750 Bible, Ducati 900 Bible, Ducati Story, Moto Guzzi Story, Honda Story, and Laverda Twin and Triple Bible. He has a small collection of classic sporting motorcycles, including a Ducati 750 Super Sport, which he has owned since 1976.

Details