DUCATI 98 Bronco/Cavallino (1959-1963) Specs, Performance & Photos

The Ducati 98 was a motorcycle made by Ducati from 1952 to 1958. It was made in several versions, including the 98N, 98T, 98TL, 98 Sport (98S), and 98 Super Sport (98SS). The bikes were powered by a single-cylinder engine mounted in an open-cradle pressed-steel frame.

In 1959, the Italian motorcycle manufacturer launched the Ducati 98TS, a motorcycle aimed primarily at the American market. The bike was renamed the 98 Bronco, while it was sold as the Cavallino in the home country.

Compared to the earlier 98 model, the Ducati 98 Bronco differed in various aspects. The Bronco had a milder-tuned engine and a new duplex full-cradle tubular steel frame.

The new frame was fitted with a Marzocchi telescopic fork on the front and non-adjustable twin side-mounted shock absorbers on the rear, providing optimum suspension performance and handling.

The bike glided on 16-inch wheels fitted with a 116 mm double shoe drum braking unit, delivering optimum braking performance.

In the performance department, the 1959 Ducati 98 Bronco/Cavallino had installed a 98cc four-stroke air-cooled single-cylinder engine underneath its fuel tank, delivering an output power of six hp with maximum strength at 6,800 rpm.

The power was handled by a four-speed manual transmission that sent it to the rear wheel through a final chain drive, pushing the motorcycle to 83 kph (52 mph).