Ducati 175 Cruiser
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| Ducati 175 Cruiser | |
| Manufacturer | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1952 - 54 |
| Engine | Four stroke, single cylinder, OHV, pushrod |
| Compression ratio | 7.5:1 |
| Top Speed | 80 km/h / 50 mph |
| Ignition | 12V, 45W generator |
| Transmission | Automatic with hydraulic torque converter |
| Frame | Pressed steel |
| Suspension | Front: Single hydraulic shock absorber Rear: Swingarm with rubber inserts for damping |
| Brakes | Front: Drum Rear: Drum |
| Weight | 175 kg / 386 lbs (dry), |
| Manuals | Service Manual |
It could reach a top speed of 80 km/h / 50 mph.
Engine[edit | edit source]
The engine was a Air cooled cooled Four stroke, single cylinder, OHV, pushrod. The engine featured a 7.5:1 compression ratio.
Chassis[edit | edit source]
Stopping was achieved via Drum in the front and a Drum in the rear. The front suspension was a Single hydraulic shock absorber while the rear was equipped with a Swingarm with rubber inserts for damping. The bike weighed just 175 kg / 386 lbs.
Photos[edit | edit source]
Overview[edit | edit source]
Ducati
Cruiser
When the people at Ducati presented the Cruiser 175 to the world,
they were well aware that they were facing a nearly impossible
challenge. They took the plunge out of pure passion. They had two
obstacles to overcome: two iconic, rival scooters that had been
winning over country after country with wild success. They were the
Vespa, patented by Piaggio in 1946, and the Lambretta, launched by
Innocenti the following year.
The bold manufacturer from Borgo Panigale unveiled its innovative model at Milans Fair in January 1952. Its four-stroke engine, automatic shift, and electric start developed in collaboration with Giovanni Florio and Carrozzeria Ghia, the Turin-based company specializing in high-end cars were avant-garde features at the time.
The brave move against Vespa and Lambretta proved an impossible feat, and fizzled within a couple of years. Only a few thousand Cruiser 175 were sold, but the wonderful scooters only fault was to have competed against two giants.The Cruiser was Ducatis first and only scooter. It was introduced in Italy in 1952 in order to take on the ever-popular Piaggio Vespa and similarly-priced two-wheelers manufactured by Lambretta, among others. The Cruiser was more innovative than its main rivals because it was the first mass-produced Italian scooter fitted with a four-stroke engine and an automatic transmission. Power for the Cruiser came from a 175cc air-cooled two-cylinder engine that generated 8 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, enough to send the 330-pound (175-kilo) scooter on to a top speed of 52 mph (85 km/h). It turns out that the average scooter buyer in post-war Italy wasnt terribly interested in technical innovations, so the Cruiser failed to catch on while the Vespa and, to a lesser extent, members of the Lambretta lineup soared in popularity. Ducati shelved the project in 1954, and it has focused on building motorcycles ever since.
| Make Model | Ducati Cruiser |
|---|---|
| Year | 1952 - 54 |
| Engine Type | Four stroke, single cylinder, OHV, pushrod |
| Displacement | 175 cc / 10.7 cu in |
| Bore X Stroke | 62 x 58 mm |
| Compression | 7.5:1 |
| Cooling System | Air cooled |
| Induction | Dell'Orto carburetor |
| Ignition | 12V, 45W generator |
| Starting | Electric |
| Max Power | 5.6kW / 7.5 hp @ 5600 rpm |
| Transmission | Automatic with hydraulic torque converter |
| Final Drive | Shaft |
| Frame | Pressed steel |
| Front Suspension | Single hydraulic shock absorber |
| Rear Suspension | Swingarm with rubber inserts for damping |
| Front Wheel | 2.45 x 10, Pirelli |
| Rear Wheel | 2.45 x 10, Pirelli |
| Front Brakes | Drum |
| Rear Brakes | Drum |
| Dry Weight | 175 kg / 386 lbs |
| Top Speed | 80 km/h / 50 mph |