Ducati Bronco

Ducati 125 Bronco
Aka	98 TS 1958-60, 98 Bronco/Cavallino 1959-63, 85 Turismo, 85 Sport 1958-60, 85 Bronco 1959-62 125 Bronco 1960-66
Manufacturer	Ducati Meccanica S.p.A
Model year	1960-1966
Class	Standard
Engine	Air-cooled single cylinder 4-stroke, 124.4 cc displacement, 6.8:1 compression, 25° forward inclined
Bore stroke	55.2 mm x 52 mm
Top speed	53 mph
Power	6.5 bhp @ 6500 rpm
Transmission	4 speed manual. Gear ratios: I 1:2.69, II 1:1.85, III 1.36, IV 1:1. Chain 118 links 1/2" x 3/16" R-roller ∅ 8.51. Sprockets 17T front, 41T rear.
Frame	Tubular steel, duplex full cradle
Suspension	Front: Marzocchi hydraulically damped telescopic fork. Rear: non-adjustable twin hydraulic shock swingarm.
Brakes	Double shoe drum, front and rear, 123 mm ∅ x 25 mm width, cable-operated
Tires	2.75 in x 16 in, tube type on spoke rims
Wheelbase	1.29 m
Length	1.9 m
Width	0.82 m
Height	0.98 m
Seat height	0.79 m
Dry weight	91 kg
Wet weight	102.8 kg / 91 kg + 1.0 kg oil + 1.3 kg battery + 9.5 kg fuel
Fuel capacity	13 L
Oil capacity	1.2 L
Fuel consumption	99 mpgus at a cruising speed of 37-40 mph
Climbing ability	25% grade in bottom gear
Related	125 Aurea, 125TV and 125T

The Ducati 125 Bronco was a tubular steel/full-duplex-framed, base model motorcycle made from 1960 to 1966, produced mainly for American distributor Berliner Motor Corporation. The first 85, the N, appeared late in 1958, a strange mishmash from the Ducati parts bins -- frame from the 125 TV, forks from a 98 S, and an engine based on the three-speed 65 unit! Hardly a potion to set the motorcycling scene alight. The 85 T came in 1959 and this had a new tank (similar to the early Monza 250) and larger 130mm headlight. The Bronco was the final model. It first appeared in 1960 expressly for the north American Market. It was basically an 85T, but with four speeds, dual-seat, and high, wide bars. It was the second to last example (before the Ducati 125 Cadet/4. Last of Ducati's pushrod singles was this 125 Cadet/4. Specification included 121.340cc (53x55mm) unit-construction engine, four speeds, 18 in wheels, and a top sped of 61mph. It was built in 1967 and 1968. Ducati pushrod technology which began in 1952 with the pressed-frame Ducati 98 models, which themselves had followed the Cucciolo T3, pull-rod (Ducati 60) and pushrod (60 Sport, 65 Sport, 65T Tourist) design singles.

A 1965 Bronco model was advertised for US$ 379, and touted as "America's most popular and reliable lightweight motorcycle." Bronco versions in 85 cc (1959-62) and 98 cc (1959-63) had also been produced.

Description

The bike's 125 cc single-cylinder powerplant, redesigned for the 1958 125 Aurea, was an overhead valve pushrod engine made visually distinctive by a "Ducati Meccanica" winged laurel wreath and "D" logo. The first logo, above, picturing a “D” flanked by a laurel wreath appeared in 1958 on all production and racing motorcycles cast in relief in brass on the left side aluminum flywheel cover. Mechanically, the new engine used an internal rather than external oil line feeding the upper valve train. The Aurea was styled like previous sporty standard models (Ducati 125 TV, 125 T), but had a 6V battery added to help the flywheel magneto power the lights and horn. For the 1960 Bronco, the Aurea's low, racing-style handlebar was replaced with a more upright touring handlebar, and a smaller gas tank, and smaller 16-inch, knobby tires were fitted.

Visually, this 1958-60 98 TS is typical of this Ducati series. Some models had different fuel tanks, or had lower handlebars. Ducati Owners Club in the 2009 London Parade.

The color schemes were a silver-gray (the color was named "aluminum") headlight bucket, fenders and gas tank "swoosh" design, with a gas tank base color of either candy red, black or metallic blue. The winged "D" emblem was repeated with a decal on the sides of the tank, along with a decal of a prancing horse (or "Cavallino Rampante") on the sides of the toolbox.

For a short time, our racing motorcycles and a 98cc road version (called “Cavallino” in Europe and “Bronco” in the U.S.) sported on their side panels a horse identical to that of the Ferrari emblem.

After the 125 Bronco and Cadet/4, Ducati made no further refinements of the OHV pushrod singles line that had begun with the Ducati 85, focusing instead on the OHC bevel drive and desmo singles, and ultimately twins, that were to became integral with the Ducati image. But 'desmo' has become a code word among enthusiasts, in much the same way that Hemi has become a rallying cry for performance-minded Dodge owners, and Ducati is smart not to abandon the mystique that has grown around it.