DUCATI 500GTV (1977-1978) Specs, Performance & Photos

The Ducati Parallel Twins was a series of 350cc and 500cc standard motorcycles produced by Ducati from 1975 to 1981. The Ducati 500GTV was first shown at the 1977 Milan Shown and manufactured from 1977 to 1981.

Unlike its 500GTL sibling, the 1977 Ducati 500GTV was designed for superior performance instead of comfort, being essentially a Desmo model fitted with a GTL engine. In 1977, 453 units were produced.

In the visual department, the bike packed standard features, such as a large, round Bosch headlight up front, Japanese switchgear, a touring handlebar, a one-piece dual seat, side-mounted rear shocks, a dual chromed exhaust system, and six-spoke aluminum wheels.

The bike was built around a tubular double-cradle steel frame with a 35 mm Marzocchi fork on the front and twin side-mounted Marzocchi shock absorbers on the rear, offering optimum suspension performance.

As for the braking performance, the bike's wheels were fitted with two 260 mm discs on the front and a 260 mm disc on the rear, providing optimum stopping power.

As for the power figures, the 1977 Ducati 500GTV had installed a 497cc four-stroke air-cooled parallel-twin engine with two Dell'Orto carburetors in charge, delivering an output power of 36 hp with maximum peak force at 7,500 rpm.

The bike was set in motion by a five-speed manual transmission with a wet multi-plate clutch that sent the power to the rear wheel through a final chain drive.