Ducati Apollo

The 1964 Ducati Berliner 1260 Apollo was a prototype model of motorcycle, that did not make it into production, yet influenced other production models that followed. Both Ducati and Berliner were experiencing declining sales of existing small capacity single cylinder models, and sought to create a bike to compete with Harley Davidson. It was a 90° V4 of 1260 cc that produced 100 bhp, and even though it did not make it in to production, it inspired a run of V-twin models that continue to this day.

Concept

In 1959, the Berliner brothers (Ducati importers in America), spoke to Ducati about creating a rival to the Harley-Davidson to sell to police departments around the U.S. The Berliner’s were enthusiastic. Ducati’s government management was not. It was only when Berliners agreed to underwrite a proportion of the development costs in 1961, that the project went ahead. They decided to call it the Apollo, in honour of the moon mission series of the time. Ducati was to produce two prototypes and two extra engines as spares. Today only one survives.

Mechanicals

Fabio Taglioni was to develop a bike that conformed to US police specifications, and was bigger than any current model Harley-Davidson. Taglioni decided on an air cooled 1256 cc 90 degree two valve head V4 using a 180 degree crankshaft with roller bearing big ends. That crankshaft fitted into a horizontally split wet sump crankcase with a centre main bearing support. The bore was 84.5 mm, and the stroke 56 mm. Valve actuation was by pushrods and rocker arms. That was the engine.

Ducati Apollo motorcycle

The engine was also a stressed member of the heavy duty open cradle frame with a central box section front downtube between the forward cylinders. Small car sized starter motor and generator were fitted. It had a five speed transmission, when most motorcycles had four. Ceriani developed the suspension package, but riders today would be alarmed by the inadequate front and rear single leading shoe 8.675 inch (220 mm) drum brakes. The stopping distance was huge, and had to be allowed for. It had a 61.2 inch wheelbase, and weighed 596 lb (270 kg) dry. Taglioni dismissed the Berliners’ suggestion of shaft drive, and chose chain final drive. The police specification stipulated 16 inch tyres, so there was little choice in that.

Performance

Initially it was putting out 100 bhp @ 7000 rpm, and could exceed 120 mph. The Harley of the time made 55 bhp. The first test rider Franco Farne came back from his first ride, and said it “handles like a truck.” Farne normally rode small racers. It soon became evident that even specially made tyres were not up to the power of the engine. A tyre disintegrated at speed on the Autostrada, and the test rider rated his survival “a miracle”. The engine was detuned to give 80 bhp. Tyres continued to disintegrate. The engine was brought down to 65 bhp, and the survival rate of the tyres became acceptable. This was late 1963. (In 1958 Moto Guzzi had used a 20 inch rear tyre on the Grand Prix 500 cc V8, and they had worn rapidly with 78 bhp.)

In March 1964 a gold painted prototype was handed over in a formal ceremony. Possibly one of the first Harley imitators.

The reduction in power though meant that the Apollo could now be outperformed by the British and BMW twins, which restricted the anticipated market to police forces. The Berliners were printing advertising, demonstrating the prototype to Police Chiefs, and genuinely preparing to market the Apollo.

Berliners specification sheet

This is from a promotional flyer distributed by Berliners, which also included a front three quarter black and white view of the gold bike:

Specifications of the D/B V/4 - an exclusive project of DUCATI – BERLINER

• SPORT ENGINE - 4 Cylinder 1260 cc, Bore x Stroke 84.5 x 56 mm
• Carburetors 4 (SS 1 32 mm) - Compression Ratio 10:1 - Approx. 100 HP @ 7000 RPM
• (Optional) Carburetors 2 (SS 1 24 mm) - Compression Ratio 8:1 - Approx. 80 HP @ 6000 RPM
• Gearbox built in unit with the engine
• Electric starter and kick starter
• Five (5) speed, positive shift
• Oil sump capacity 3.5 quarts
• 12 volt electrical system, 32 amp battery
• Alternator 200 Watt, Starter engine: 0.50 kW
• Wheelbase 1550 mm
• Interchangeable and quickly detachable front and rear wheel
• Front tire: Ribbed 5.00 X 16 inch Rear tire: Block tread 5.00 x 16 inch
• Large full hub front and rear brakes
• Rubber cushioned rear sprocket
• "Roll on" center stand and side stand
• Comfortable dual seat with sturdy Chrome plated hand rail.
• Width; Engine 450 mm Handlebar 750 mm Ground clearance 170 mm
• Chain 5/8 x 3/8 primary chain duplex,
• Weight approx. 240 kg

The first production series will be manufactured early in 1965 for the European and other foreign markets. Shipments scheduled for the United States are planned for the second half of 1965. The price in the USA will be approximately $1500.|Berliners Motor Corporation|

Project end

The Italian government decided that the limited market did not justify the tooling costs of production, and withdrew project funding. This was a severe blow to Berliners business plans.

It could have been a superbike before its time but tyre technology was not ready. There were other bikes developed as a result: the 1970 500 cc GP bikes and 750 cc production 90 degree V-twins.

The second prototype, a black and silver sports version with four Dell'Orto SS 1 carburettors, survived, and was on display at Ducati's factory museum in Bologna, courtesy of its owner, Hiroaki Iwashita, from 2002 to 2003.< Its sole public appearance in recent decades was at the 2002 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The fate of the first gold painted prototype is unknown.