Ducati Monza

Ducati Monza
ManufacturerDucati
Production1961-1968
ClassStandard
EngineAir-cooled bevel drive SOHC single cylinder four stroke
Bore / stroke74 mm × 57.8 mm (2.91 in × 2.28 in)
Compression ratio8:1
Top speed128 km/h (80 mph)
Power22 bhp (16 kW) @7200 rpm
TransmissionMultiplate wet clutch, 4 speed (1961-64) 5 speed (1965-68)
Frame typeSingle cradle
SuspensionFront: telescopic forks
Rear: swinging arm
BrakesDrum front & rear
TyresFront: 275x18
Rear: 300x18
Wheelbase1,320 mm (52 in)
DimensionsL: 2,000 mm (79 in)
W: 800 mm (31 in)
Seat height800 mm (31 in)
Weight125 kg (276 lb) (dry)
Footnotes / references
[1][2][3][4]

The Ducati Monza is a 249 cc (15.2 cu in) single cylinder bevel drive SOHC motorcycle produced by the Italian manufacturer Ducati from 1961 to 1968.[1] It was the touring version of Ducati's first 250 cc road bike.[5] Reviews of the Monza praised its speed, road holding, engine smoothness and brakes.[6][7]

History

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Following the success in racing of the 250 F3, and using an engine based on that of the racer, Ducati introduced its first 250 cc road bikes at the April 1961 Milan Fair. The bikes were offered in two versions, the touring Monza and sports Diana.[4] The Monza has a softer cam, a more padded seat, deeper mudguards, higher handlebars and a smaller tank.[8]

The 1963 US model was finished in black and chrome.[9]

In 1964 the electrics were updated and the kick start ratio was changed.[10] The gearbox was changed to a 5 speed unit in 1965,[4] along with a smaller 13 L (2.9 imp gal; 3.4 US gal) tank.[11]

The styling was updated in 1966 with a new tank, more padded seat, side panels and front and rear lights. The styling was shared with the Monza Junior and the Sebring.[12]

A square headlight was fitted in 1967 and 68.[13]

The American motorcycle market slumped[14] and in 1967 Ducati importers, Berliner Motor Corporation were in financial trouble and refused a consignment of 3,500 machines from the factory. These machines were sold to Liverpool businessman Bill Hannah, who sold the bikes to the public between 1968 and 1972.[15] Some of these were Monzas which were sold at a discounted price.[15][16] Hannah offered no support or spares network for the bikes he sold which damaged Ducati's reputation in the UK.[14]

The bike was fitted with the improved 'wide case' engine in 1968, the final year of productions.[17] Two versions were made of the Monza, one for the US and the other for Europe.[18]

Technical details

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Engine and transmission

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The single cylinder bevel drive OHC engine was of unit construction and had alloy head and alloy barrels with cast iron liners.[19] Ball bearings were used in the main bearings and big end[3] and hairspring valve springs were used to close the valves.[6] Bore and stroke were 74 mm × 57.8 mm (2.91 in × 2.28 in) giving a displacement of 248 cc (15.1 cu in). Compression ratio was 8:1.[20] Claimed power output was 22 bhp (16 kW) @7,200 rpm, giving the machine a top speed of 128 km/h (80 mph).[4]

Fuel was delivered by a 24 mm Dell'Orto UFB carburettor.[6] Wet sump lubrication was used[20] and ignition was by battery and coil[21] with the points under a cover on the right hand side of the engine.[22]

Primary drive was by helical gears to a multi-plate wet clutch and 4 speed gearbox.[6] A 5 speed cluster was fitted from 1965.[4] Chain drive took power to the rear wheel.[6]

The 'wide case' engine was introduced in 1968, the last year of production.[17] Although the specifications were similar to the 'narrow case' engine, the new engine had a stronger bottom end with bigger main bearings and big end. Capacity of the wet sump was increased from 4 to 5.5 pints[23] and the kickstart mechanism has been upgraded from the earlier models.[24]

Cycle parts

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The single cradle frame used the engine as a stressed member.[25] When the wide case engine was introduced the frame was modified for the wider rear mountings and twin rear loops were added which made the frame stronger and stiffer.[23] Rear suspension was by swinging arm with twin 3-way adjustable Marzocchi shock absorbers. At the front Marzocchi telescopic forks were fitted.[6] Brakes were drums, the front being 180 mm (7.1 in) diameter and the rear 160 mm (6.3 in).[19][20]

References

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  1. ^ a b Walker 2003, pp. 211–213.
  2. ^ Trueshaft 2001, pp. 204–205.
  3. ^ a b Motorcycle Mechanics 1969, p. 46.
  4. ^ a b c d e Yesterdays.
  5. ^ Ducati Classics.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Trueshaft 2001, p. 204.
  7. ^ Young 1964, pp. 30–31.
  8. ^ Walker 2002, p. 36.
  9. ^ American Motorcyclist 1963, p. 19.
  10. ^ Young 1964, p. 30.
  11. ^ Falloon 2016b, p. 79.
  12. ^ American Motorcyclist 1966, p. 8.
  13. ^ Bike-urious.
  14. ^ a b Falloon 2016a, p. 119.
  15. ^ a b Haylock 1978, p. 22.
  16. ^ Walker 2002, p. 41.
  17. ^ a b Walker 2003, pp. 212–213.
  18. ^ Falloon 2016b, p. 93.
  19. ^ a b Young 1964, p. 31.
  20. ^ a b c Walker 2003, pp. 211.
  21. ^ Trueshaft 2001, p. 205.
  22. ^ Motorcycle Mechanics 1969, p. 44.
  23. ^ a b Haylock 1978, p. 20.
  24. ^ Falloon 2016b, p. 92.
  25. ^ Walker 2003, p. 105.

Bibliography

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  • Falloon, Ian (18 March 2016). The Book of the Ducati Overhead Camshaft Singles. Poundbury, Dorchester: Veloce Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-1-84584-566-7.
  • Falloon, Ian (July 2016). The Complete Book of Ducati Motorcycles: Every Model Since 1946. Minneapolis, MN: Motorbooks. ISBN 978-0-7603-5022-5.
  • Young, Gene (December 1964). "Ducati Road Test". Motorcyclist. pp. 30–31 – via Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader.
  • Haylock, Bill (1978). "Ducati Singles" (PDF). Classic Bike. No. 1. OCLC 1250189614 – via www.hogervorst.tech.
  • Trueshaft, Martin (March 2001). "1965 Ducati Monza 250". Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  • Walker, Mick (2002). Illustrated Ducati Buyer's Guide. MotorBooks International. ISBN 978-1-61059-045-7.
  • Walker, Mick (2003). Ducati Singles Restoration. MotorBooks International. ISBN 978-1-61060-919-7.
  • "175, 200 and 250 (NC) Singles". Ducati Classics. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  • "Ducati 250s". Motorcycle Mechanics. September 1969. pp. 44–46. Retrieved 6 October 2021 – via www.motoscrubs.com.
  • "Ducati 1967 Monza 250cc 1 cyl ohc 2811". Yesterdays. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  • "Narrow-Case Duck – 1967 Ducati Monza 250". Bike-urious. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  • "Norton and Ducati for 1963". American Motorcyclist. American Motorcyclist Assoc. February 1963. p. 19. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  • "The 1966 Line of Berliner Imports". American Motorcyclist. American Motorcyclist Assoc. February 1966. pp. 8–10. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
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