Ducati 60

Ducati 60, 60 Sport, and 65 Sport
Manufacturer = Ducati Meccanica S.p.A
Production = 1949-1953
Predecessor = Ducati Cucciolo
Successor = 65T, 65TL, 65TS
Class = Standard
Engine = Air-cooled single cylinder 4-stroke, 59.57 cc displacement, 42 mm ∅ x 43 mm, 8:1 compression
Top speed = 40 mph (60) 46 mph (65 Sport)
Power = 2.25 hp @ 5,000 rpm
Transmission = 3 speed
Suspension = front telescopic fork, rear cantilever
Brakes = front and rear drum
Tires = front and rear 2.00 in. X 18 in.
Dry weight = 44.5 kg (98 lbs)

Description

The Ducati 60 of 1949-50 was Ducati's first in a long line of four-stroke, OHV singles that would run until the 125 Cadet/4 of 1967. Even before the brief relationship with Caproni had soured, Giovanni Fiorio had designed another engine, a 65 cc four-stroke with prushrod-operated valves. Introduced in March 1950 and called the 60 Sport, it was the first real Ducati motorcycle. The engine would form the basis of a complete range of pushrod singles lasting through until the 125 Cadet of 1967.

The 60 used the 60 cc pullrod engine of the Cucciolo T3 moped, and a frame supplied by Caproni. The 60 Sport (actually 65 cc) of 1950-52 used Ducati's own frame, making it their first complete motorcycle.

The first 'real' Ducati was conceived back in 1950 following the collapse of the Caproni venture. This was simply called the Ducati 60 and was something of a cross between a motorcycle and a moped. The 60 was powered by a suitably enlarged Cucciolo engine, in fact the same unit was used to power the abortive Duca proni.... roadholding and cornering were exceptional for its day. For 1953 the name was changed to 65 Sport. They were followed by the 65T, 65TL, 65TS series. From this micro-motor came a whole line of small-capacity mopeds and motorcycles which, until the mid-1950s, was the company's main source of revenue, the first being the Ducati 60 of 1950. This was quickly followed by a whole succession of engine capacities, including 65, 85, 98, and 124 cc.