DUCATI 500 Twin (1976-1977) Specs, Performance & Photos

The Ducati Parallel Twins was a series of standard motorcycles made by Ducati from 1975 to 1981. The bikes were powered by 350cc and 500cc air-cooled OHC twin-cylinder engines. Unfortunately, the sales didn't go as planned due to their unreliability, earning the nickname of paralyzed twins.

The bikes were available in several versions, including the 500GTL, 350GTL, 500 Sport Desmo, 350 Sport Desmo, 500GTV, and 350 GTV. The engine was unreliable, lacking oil feed to the camshaft, and its poor built quality also caused reliability problems.

In the visual department, the 500cc model packed a large, round headlight with analog instruments mounted on top, a one-piece dual seat, twin side-mounted rear shocks, a dual chromed exhaust system, and six-spoke cast-aluminum wheels.

It was built around a single down tube frame, using the engine as a stressed member, and was fitted with a Marzocchi fork on the front and a swingarm with twin Marzocchi shocks on the rear.

The braking performance was handled by two 260 mm discs on the front wheel coupled to dual-piston calipers and a 260 mm drum braking unit on the rear as on the 350cc model.

In the performance department, the 1976 Ducati 500 Twin had installed a 497cc four-stroke air-cooled parallel-twin engine underneath its fuel tank, delivering 35 hp with maximum strength at 6,500 rpm.