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TimeOut

THOSE PROBLEMATIC SPRINGS ...

 

In the world of mechanics, the metalic spring has been the focus of countless hours, years and sometimes even centuries of study and experimentation. Not to mention frustration. And it could arguably be considered the heart of a mechanical watch. A similar situation once plagued the designers and builders of high performance engines in the automotive world as well, in the form of the valve spring. And although practical solutions have been found in both worlds, a handfull of designers have chosen to solve the problem in the most mechanically elegant way possible. In the world of watches, the most notable invention was of course Mr. A. L. Breguet's Tourbillon. In the world of the internal combustion engine, it was Desmodromics, the invention of another French genius; Mr. Peugeot, with further development by Osca, Daimler Benz and finally Mr. Fabio Taglioni who brought the system to perfection in todays' Ducati motorcycles. For those with a deep respect and appreciation for fine machinery, perhaps these amazing two wheelers (now benefitting from the additional work of Massimo Bordi with his four valve configurations) could justifyably be considered the "Tourbillons" of the motoring world.

The original V-Twin production Desmo.

The original V-Twin production Desmo.


Second series (sguare-case) production V-Twin Desmo.

Second series (sguare-case) production V-Twin Desmo.


Original Ducati Triple-Cam Desmo as designed for the Works 125cc Grand Prix machines

Original Ducati Triple-Cam Desmo as designed for the Works 125cc Grand Prix machines


Final production two valve Desmo system.

Final production two valve Desmo system.


This message has been edited by NJ on 2010-01-18 12:10:10 This message has been edited by DRMW on 2010-01-18 12:55:34 This message has been edited by DRMW on 2010-01-19 10:11:10

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20 Comments view entire thread 

Ooooo, Awesome! This is my kinda post! =)

 
By: DRMW : January 18th, 2010-12:28
What do you think of Ducati's chances in MotoGP this year? AND more pics please! -MW

Thank you MW ...

 
By: NJ : January 18th, 2010-13:49
I'm sure Ducati's chances are excellent. Would like to mention however that my involvement with these wonderful machines goes back many, many years, to long before Ducati became the famous name that it has become as I remember seeking out, restoring and c...  

Touché......

 
By: Europalaan : January 18th, 2010-15:48
I am in total agreement. Your post is wonderful along with the photographs. Thank You.......

O.K. I WONT.

 
By: NJ : January 19th, 2010-04:10
But one like it ( and in equal or better condition, # 188 as I recall) was mine just a few years ago. Along with several Formula III's, Mach 1's, a "74 750 Sport and an ex Mike Hailwood 125 twin-cam Grand Prix (one of 6 made). You can see the pictures of ...  

Oh. !!!

 
By: BDLJ : January 19th, 2010-04:44
NJ. I am green with jealousy. I've had a go on a Mach 3, not a Mach 1 and a 250 Desmo, but nothing like a works bike. Got to ride a Manx (not sure what year) at Broadford once. Terrifying as I am not used to engine braking (my racebike is a RS125R Honda) ... 

DO NOT BE ENVIOUS BDIJ !!!

 
By: NJ : January 19th, 2010-06:51
As it's only STUFF ! And besides, my personal collection is long gone and others can now enjoy what I enjoyed so much. But after all those bikes, most representing tons of research and restoration work, I thought it was time to move on. Besides, getting o... 

Great post, NJ

 
By: BDLJ : January 18th, 2010-16:58
A high lift desmo camshaft out of a racing 250 lives on my desk (retired due to pitting...) The single cam system is a wonderful mechanical system. The four-valve DOHC system is a nightmare - the angles the rockers go through! The shimming! The triple-kno... 

The "tourbillon" of the motoring world...

 
By: patrick_y : January 18th, 2010-23:15
I wonder what is the "chain and fusee" of the motoring world... Beautiful machines; Ducatis are truly soul stirring in many ways; it's just unfortunate that I don't have the guts to ride. Nevertheless, I can still appreciate the inherent beauty from the s...  

SMALL & A BIT LARGER ...

 
By: NJ : January 19th, 2010-01:22
Patrick / When I first started riding, a 250 was a medium sized machine and a 650 or 750 was a monster ! And it was on that little 250 (Ducati Mach I) that I experienced what I consider the magic of motorcycling with it's incomparable feeling of speed and...  

Some wise words

 
By: patrick_y : January 19th, 2010-16:56
Thank you for the sagely advice. Well, I think I'm going to try riding in a motorcycle behind someone first. Let's see how I fare after that. Beautiful Bugatti Type 41; with the Monterey Bay in the background. Thank goodness that Pebble Beach Concours d'E... 

GREAT POST ...

 
By: bimbeano : January 19th, 2010-10:13
The Desmo system is so amazing. Every time i ride a Ducati i can feel it kicking my arse .. . I once had the luck helping out a friend (Ducati-dealer) adjusting the desmo-system on a 916 ... amazing machinery ! Thanks, Filip

fabulous post NJ

 
By: G99 : January 19th, 2010-12:44
as a bike nut this is a great breath of fresh air. your pics of the Desmo system was very educational. i like Duke's, never owned one, but have ridden my mates 888 SP4. one of the classic 'modern' dukes. i think one of the best bikes is mentioned , but no... 

Thanks Graham ...

 
By: NJ : January 19th, 2010-13:07
Appreciate your enthusiasm. And yes, a Ligntning is a different machine from the Black Shadow: an evil-handling beast with tremedous speed for it's day. The genuine examples are as rare as Vacheron Constantins in Yemen and for those Vincent worshippers st...  

Black Lightning

 
By: BDLJ : January 19th, 2010-14:29
Graham, Black Lightnings were to Black Shadows what the 888SP4 was to the 851. Smothered in special chassis boits, very non-standard engine, very limited availability, etc etc It's the bike that Rollie Free used in that famous photo of him doing land-spee... 

thanks Ben. i know very...

 
By: G99 : January 19th, 2010-14:33
thanks Ben. i know very little about old bikes. you should check out the song. its good G