1970 Ducati 450 Mk3 Scrambler Motorcycle

Description

Popularised in the USA in the 1960s, the Scrambler was the precursor to the modern Motocross bike and Ducati was at the forefront of the craze with a series of overhead-camshaft singles designed specifically for riding on dirt.  Announced in 1967 using technology found on the racing 250 and 350 Sport Corsa Desmo (SCD) bikes, the original 250 and 350 ‘wide case’ production models were joined by the Mark 3 designed for European markets in 1968.  In 1969 Ducati added a 450 Scrambler to the model line-up, using a stronger frame, sprockets and final drive.  Fed via a single Dell’Orto VHB 29AD carburettor, the bevel-drive OHC four-stroke single had a bore and stroke of 86mm by 75mm respectively for a total capacity of 435.7cc and was rated at 23 horsepower at 6500 rpm.  Early 450 Scramblers used a Marzocchi 515mm front fork common to the 250 and 350 models but from 1971 onwards a 540mm version was used instead, the same year a tacho became standard equipment.  The brakes were drums front and rear, the wheels wire-spoked (Borrani alloy rims were adopted in 1973) and the choice of colours included yellow, orange, black and gold.  Always a dual-purpose bike, the 450 Scrambler performed well on the road and remained a popular member of the Ducati line-up until 1978.