Ducati 350 SC Sport Corsa

Ducati 350 SC Sport Corsa
Manufacturer	Ducati
Production	1965 - 66
Engine	Four stroke, single cylinder, Desmo SOHC, 2 valve, bevel gear-driven
Compression ratio	10:1
Top Speed	200 km/h / 124 mph
Ignition	Points and coil, 6V 30W generator
Spark Plug	2 x Lodge RL50
Transmission	5 Speed
Frame	Twin cradle, tubular steel
Suspension	Front: Marzocchi 32 mm telescopic fork Rear: Swingarm, Marzocchi dual shocks
Brakes	Front: 200 mm Oldani / 230 mm Grimeca Rear: 200 mm Oldani / 230 mm Grimeca
Front Tire	19
Rear Tire	19
Wheelbase	1320 mm / 52.0 in
Weight	117 kg / 258 lbs (dry),
Manuals	Service Manual

It could reach a top speed of 200 km/h / 124 mph.

Engine

The engine was a Air cooled cooled Four stroke, single cylinder, Desmo SOHC, 2 valve, bevel gear-driven. The engine featured a 10:1 compression ratio.

Drive

Power was moderated via the Wet, multiplate.

Chassis

It came with a 19 front tire and a 19 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via 200 mm Oldani / 230 mm Grimeca in the front and a 200 mm Oldani / 230 mm Grimeca in the rear. The front suspension was a Marzocchi 32 mm telescopic fork while the rear was equipped with a Swingarm, Marzocchi dual shocks. The bike weighed just 117 kg / 258 lbs. The wheelbase was 1320 mm / 52.0 in long.

Photos

Overview

Ducati 350 SC

Picture: Bonhams

The 350 Sport Corsa (or SC) was different mechanically from the production street sport bikes. The engine included sand-cast crankcases with either 250 or 350 SC and an engine number stamped on the left crankcase near the cylinder. It was designed to accommodate the double cradle frame. The cylinder head was sand-cast 350 F3 type, with shorter camshafts than the Mach 1. There was also a close-ratio, 5-speed gearbox that was unique to the SC. Only a half a dozen 350s were built during 1965.
 The Sport Corsa Desmo (or SCD) although obviously related, was more than a Desmo version of the SC. One can assume that each was indeed bespoke, certainly hand assembled one by one and not necessarily in the Ducati factory itself. It is extremely difficult to establish a specification for the series. Even the frames differed from bike to bike – this example has a special twin down tube frame, not the single down tube, which was more common. It has the usual Marzocchi 35mm forks. The 350 Desmo motor is just over square with a 76mm bore and 75mm stroke (as the street motor) and pumps out a quoted 41hp at 10,500 rpm.

These bikes were very expensive with probably less than a dozen made. While the 350 Sport Corsa Desmo may have had little or no advantage over a cheaper and lighter modified production street bike on the track, today it scores massively as a classic work of art for it is rare in the extreme, and handsome to boot.

Make Model	Ducati 350 SC (Sport Corsa)
Year	1965 - 66
Engine Type	Four stroke, single cylinder, Desmo SOHC, 2 valve, bevel gear-driven
Displacement	340.2 cc / 20.8 cu-in
Bore X Stroke	76 x 75 mm
Cooling System	Air cooled
Compression	10:1
Induction	Dell'Orto SS1 30
Ignition	Points and coil, 6V 30W generator
Spark Plug	2 x Lodge RL50
Starting	Kick
Max Power	30.2 kW / 41 hp @ 10500 rpm
Clutch	Wet, multiplate
Primary Drive	Straight cut gear
Transmission	5 Speed
Gear Ratios	1st 43/17 / 2nd 38/22 / 3rd 35/26 / 4th 32/29 / 5th 30/31
Final Drive	Chain
Frame	Twin cradle, tubular steel
Front Suspension	Marzocchi 32 mm telescopic fork
Rear Suspension	Swingarm, Marzocchi dual shocks
Front Brakes	200 mm Oldani / 230 mm Grimeca
Rear Brakes	200 mm Oldani / 230 mm Grimeca
Front Tire	19
Rear Tire	19
Wheelbase	1320 mm / 52.0 in
Dry Weight	117 kg / 258 lbs
Top Speed	200 km/h / 124 mph