DUCATI 350 Sport Desmo (1977-1979) Specs, Performance & Photos

In 1977, the Italian motorcycle manufacturer launched the Ducati 350 Sport Desmo, a smaller version of the 500 Sport Desmo manufactured in 1976. Most Sport Desmo motorcycles were manufactured at the Italjet factory, with engines supplied by Ducati.

When Franco Zaiubouri replaced De Eccher as Ducati's General Manager in September 1975, he wanted to revive the brand by developing a new model to make the twins more attractive to buyers. That is when the Ducati 500 Sport Desmo was planned.

The bike packed standard features in the visual department, such as six-spoke aluminum wheels, a dual exhaust system with a muffler on each side, a single seat, a large, round headlight up front, and a low handlebar.

The bike was built around a down-tube tubular steel frame with a 35 mm Paioli telescopic fork on the front and a swingarm coupled to twin Marzocchi three-way-adjustable shock absorbers on the rear, providing optimum handling capabilities.

The bike rolled on 18-inch wheels fitted with a 256 mm Brembo disc on the front and a 257 mm Brembo disc on the rear, offering excellent stopping power.

As for the power figures, the 1977 Ducati 350 Sport Desmo had its heartbeat set by a 350cc four-stroke air-cooled parallel-twin engine with two Dell'Orto carburetors in charge, delivering 42 hp with maximum strength at 8,500 rpm.