Ducati Bronco
The 125 Bronco was a tubular steel/full-duplex-framed, base model motorcycle made by Ducati from 1960 to 1966, produced mainly for American distributor Berliner Motor Corporation.[2] It was the second to last example, before the Ducati 125 Cadet/4,[3] of Ducati pushrod technology which began in 1952 with the pressed-frame Ducati 98 models, which themselves had followed the Cucciolo T3, pull-rod (Ducati 60) and pushrod (60 Sport, 65 Sport, 65T Tourist) design singles.
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| Manufacturer | Ducati Meccanica S.p.A. |
|---|---|
| Also called | 98 TS 1958-60, 98 Bronco/Cavallino 1959-63, 85 Turismo, 85 Sport 1958-60, 85 Bronco 1959-62 125 Bronco 1960-66 |
| Class | Standard |
| Engine | Air-cooled single cylinder 4-stroke, 124.4 cc (7.59 cu in) displacement, 6.8:1 compression, 25° forward inclined |
| Bore / stroke | 55.2 mm × 52 mm (2.17 in × 2.05 in) |
| Top speed | 53 mph (85 km/h)[1] |
| Power | 6.5 bhp (4.8 kW) @ 6500 rpm[1] |
| Transmission | 4 speed manual. Gear ratios: I 1:2.69, II 1:1.85, III 1.36, IV 1:1. Chain 118 links 1/2" x 3/16" R-roller ∅ 8.51. Sprockets 17T front, 41T rear. |
| Frame type | Tubular steel, duplex full cradle |
| Suspension | Front: Marzocchi hydraulically damped telescopic fork. Rear: non-adjustable twin hydraulic shock swingarm. |
| Brakes | Double shoe drum, front and rear, 123 mm dia. x 25 mm width, cable-operated |
| Tires | 2.75 in × 16 in (70 mm × 406 mm), tube type on spoke rims |
| Wheelbase | 1.29 m (4 ft 3 in) |
| Dimensions | L: 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) W: 0.82 m (2 ft 8 in) H: 0.98 m (3 ft 3 in) |
| Seat height | 0.79 m (2 ft 7 in) |
| Weight | 91 kg (201 lb) (dry) 102.8 kg (227 lb) (wet) |
| Fuel capacity | 13 L (3.4 US gal) |
| Oil capacity | 1.2 L (0.32 US gal) |
| Fuel consumption | 99 mpg‑US (2.4 L/100 km; 119 mpg‑imp) at a cruising speed of 37–40 mph (60–64 km/h) (claimed)[1] |
| Related | 125 Aurea, 125TV and 125T |
A 1965 Bronco model was advertised for US$379, which would be US$ 2580 in 2009 dollars, and touted as "America's most popular and reliable lightweight motorcycle."[4] Bronco versions in 85 cc (5.2 cu in) (1959–62) and 98 cc (6.0 cu in) (1959–63) had also been produced.
Description
The bike's 124.4 cc (7.59 cu in) single-cylinder powerplant, redesigned for the 1958 125 Aurea, was an overhead valve pushrod engine made visually distinctive by a "Ducati Meccanica" winged laurel wreath and "D" logo[5] cast in relief in brass on the left side aluminum flywheel cover. Mechanically, the new engine used an internal rather than external oil line feeding the upper valve train. The Aurea was styled like previous sporty standard models (Ducati 125 TV, 125 T), but had a 6V battery added to help the flywheel magneto power the lights and horn. For the 1960 Bronco, the Aurea's low, racing-style handlebar was replaced with a more upright touring handlebar, and a smaller gas tank, and smaller 16-inch, knobby tires were fitted.
The winged "D" emblem was repeated with a decal on the sides of the tank, along with a decal of a prancing horse (or "Cavallino Rampante") on the sides of the toolbox.[6]
After the 125 Bronco and Cadet/4, Ducati made no further refinements of the OHV pushrod singles line that had begun with the Ducati 85,[2] focusing instead on the OHC bevel drive and desmo singles, and ultimately twins, that were to become integral with the Ducati image.[7]
Notes
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ducati Bronco. |
- Falloon, Ian (2004), Standard Catalog of Ducati Motorcycles 1946-2005, Iola, WI: KP Books, p. 24, ISBN 978-0-87349-714-5
- Walker, Mick (2002), Illustrated Ducati Buyer's Guide (3rd ed.), MotorBooks/MBI Publishing Company, p. 13, ISBN 978-0-7603-1309-1, retrieved 2009-04-28,
The first 85, the N, appeared late in 1958, a strange mishmash from the Ducati parts bins -- frame from the 125 TV, forks from a 98 S, and an engine based on the three-speed 65 unit! Hardly a potion to set the motorcycling scene alight. the 85 T came in 1959 and this had a new tank (similar to the early Monza 250) and larger 130mm headlight. [...] The Bronco was the final model. It first appeared in 1960 expressly for the north American Market. It was basically an 85T, but with four speeds, dual-seat, and high, wide bars.
- Walker, Mick (2002), Illustrated Ducati Buyer's Guide (3rd ed.), MotorBooks/MBI Publishing Company, p. 13, ISBN 978-0-7603-1309-1, retrieved 2009-04-28,
Last of Ducati's pushrod singles was this 125 Cadet/4. Specification included 121.340cc (53x55mm) unit-construction engine, four speeds, 18 in wheels, and a top sped of 61mph. It was built in 1967 and 1968.
- "1965 Ducati Bronco ohv -- $379 Four Speed All Acces. Incl.", American Motorcycling, American Motorcyclist Assoc, 18 (10), p. 8, October 1964, ISSN 0277-9358, retrieved 2009-04-28
- Lodi, Livio (2009), "The 1950s", Heritage Features and News, Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A., retrieved 2009-04-28,
The first logo, above, picturing a "D" flanked by a laurel wreath appeared in 1958 on all production and racing motorcycles
- Lodi, Livio (2009), "Ducati and the Prancing Horse", Heritage Features and News, Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A., retrieved 2009-04-28,
For a short time, our racing motorcycles and a 98cc road version (called "Cavallino" in Europe and "Bronco" in the U.S.) sported on their side panels a horse identical to that of the Ferrari emblem.
- Mayersohn, Norman (December 3, 2006), "Handlebars; Ducati's GT Brings Back A Saucy Spirit of the '70s", The New York Times,
But 'desmo' has become a code word among enthusiasts, in much the same way that Hemi has become a rallying cry for performance-minded Dodge owners, and Ducati is smart not to abandon the mystique that has grown around it.