The Ducati Road 250 is a 247 cc (15.1 cu in) single cylinder bevel drive SOHC motorcycle produced by the Spanish manufacturer MotoTrans, who were licensed by Ducati to produce motorcycles under the Ducati brand name and was produced from 1972 to 1977.[5] The model was intended to be a Spanish domestic market[2] version of the 250 Scrambler,[6][7] although it was also exported to the US in 1972/3.[8]
 Ducati Road 250 | |
| Manufacturer | Ducati/MotoTrans |
|---|---|
| Production | 1972-1977 |
| Successor | Ducati Strada |
| Class | Standard |
| Engine | Air-cooled bevel drive SOHC single cylinder four stroke |
| Bore / stroke | 69 mm × 66 mm (2.7 in × 2.6 in) |
| Compression ratio | 10:1 |
| Top speed | 125 km/h (78 mph) |
| Power | 25 bhp (19 kW) @ 9,000 rpm |
| Transmission | Multiplate wet clutch, 5 speed |
| Frame type | Single cradle |
| Suspension | Front: telescopic forks Rear: swinging arm |
| Brakes | Drum front & rear |
| Tyres | Front: 325x18 Rear: 400x18 |
| Wheelbase | 1,320 mm (52 in) |
| Weight | 122 kg (269 lb) (dry) |
| Fuel capacity | 9 L (2.0 imp gal; 2.4 US gal) |
| Footnotes / references [1][2][3][4] | |
History edit
In post-Civil War Spain, the Franco regime banned the import of motorcycles[9] and also forbade foreign nationals from settling in Spain, or stating a business there.[10] MotoTrans was set up to manufacture Ducati motorcycles under licence in Barcelona in 1957.[8][11]
The Road was introduced in 1972 as a Spanish version of the 250 Scrambler.[6][7] However, the model used the longer stroke 'narrow case' engine of the 24 Horas rather than the 'wide case' engine of the Scrambler.[1] A locally built Amal carburettor and Spanish Telesco front forks were fitted.[8] The bike was finished in Black with a metallic burnt orange tank and mudguards and chrome headlight.[1]
The American Ducati importers, Berliner Motor Corporation, were in dispute with the Italian factory over pricing from 1971 to '73 and chose to import from MotoTrans instead during this period. Amongst the models imported in '72 - '73 was the Road 250.[8][12][13]
Road 250 77 edit
An updated version, the Road 250 77, was introduced in 1977. Electrics were uprated to 12 volts and stainless steel mudguards were fitted.[1] The instrument panel from the 500 twins were also fitted.[14]
Technical details edit
Engine and transmission edit
The single cylinder bevel drive OHC engine was of unit construction and had an alloy head and alloy barrel with cast iron liners.[15] Bore and stroke were 69 mm × 66 mm (2.7 in × 2.6 in) giving a displacement of 247 cc (15.1 cu in). A 10:1 piston was fitted. Claimed power output was 25 bhp (19 kW) @ 9,000 rpm, giving the machine a top speed of 125 km/h (78 mph).[1]
Fuel was delivered by a Spanish made Amal Monobloc 375/27 carburettor.[1] This was later updated to a Concentric.[3] The engine used wet sump lubrication and ignition was by battery and coil.[1]
Primary drive was by gears to a multi-plate wet clutch and 5 speed gearbox. Chain drive took power to the rear wheel.[1]
Cycle parts edit
The single cradle frame used the engine as a stressed member. Rear suspension was by swinging arm with twin adjustable shock absorbers. At the front telescopic forks were fitted. Brakes were drums, the front being 180 mm (7.1 in) diameter and the rear 160 mm (6.3 in).[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Mototrans Modelos.
- ^ a b Svenson 2013.
- ^ a b Motociclismo 1977, p. 26.
- ^ Solo Moto 1977, p. 43.
- ^ Motos Clásicas.
- ^ a b Mototrans.
- ^ a b Font 2009.
- ^ a b c d Walker 2002, p. 51.
- ^ Cloesen 2014, p. 52.
- ^ Svenson 2013b.
- ^ Herreros & Aznar 1998, pp. 88–90.
- ^ Falloon 2016a, p. 239.
- ^ Falloon 2016b, p. 114.
- ^ Motociclismo 1977, p. 27.
- ^ Motociclismo 1977, pp. 24–27.
Bibliography edit
- Cloesen, Uli (15 August 2014). Italian Café Racers. Dorcester: Veloce Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-1-84584-749-4.
- Falloon, Ian (18 March 2016). The Book of the Ducati Overhead Camshaft Singles. Poundbury, Dorchester: Veloce Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-1-84584-566-7.
- Falloon, Ian (July 2016). The Complete Book of Ducati Motorcycles: Every Model Since 1946. Minneapolis, MN: Motorbooks. ISBN 978-0-7603-5022-5.
- Font, L (14 May 2009). "Motos Ducati españolas, las Ducati Mototrans". www.moto22.com (in Spanish). Spanish Ducati motorcycles, the Ducati Mototrans. Archived from the original on 13 February 2010. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- Herreros, Francisco; Aznar, José Luis (1998). "1945: Cataluña". Historia del motociclismo en España [A: History of motorcycling in Spain] (in Spanish). RACC Club. ISBN 978-84-920886-5-2.
- Svenson, Enrique (2013). "Club de Motos Antiguas Granada - Ducati". motosantiguasgranada.es.tl (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 November 2021.
- Svenson, Enrique (2013). "Club de Motos Antiguas Granada - MV Agusta". motosantiguasgranada.es.tl (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 November 2021.
- Walker, Mick (2002). Illustrated Ducati Buyer's Guide. MotorBooks International. ISBN 978-1-61059-045-7.
- "Ducati Road 250". www.motosclasicas80.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 November 2021.
- "Ducati Road 250-'77" (PDF). Motociclismo (in Spanish). 1977. pp. 24–27 – via www.motosclasicas80.com.
- "Ensayo Ducati Road 77" (PDF). Solo Moto (in Spanish). www.motosclasicas80.com: 38–43. November 1977.
- "La historia de Ducati Mototrans, Ducati Clásica" [The history of Ducati Mototrans, Classic Ducati]. Mototrans (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 12 August 2010. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- "Modelos Road 250 (and 350)". Mototrans. Archived from the original on 24 February 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2021.