The Ducati 750 Bible

750 GT, Sport & Super Sport 1971-1978

Author: Ian Falloon

The Ducati 750 was a pivotal model in the history of Ducati. With the 750 Ducati moved into the world of Superbikes, and set the stage for their current strength. Before the 750, Ducati was a minor manufacturer known for small capacity single cylinder motorcycles. They decided to enter the world of Superbikes in 1970. While there was initially some skepticism, their stunning victory in the 1972 Imola 200 race silenced the critics and created a legend.

• Features:
• First full account of the development of the Ducati 750
• Year-by-year description of each model
• Changes in specification listed by engine and frame number
• Photos of all detail changes and development
• Complete racing history
• Full description of prototypes
• Brief history of Ducati until the 750
• Complete Appendix of specifications and data

When DucatiÍs great engineer Fabio Taglioni designed the 750 Ducati in 1970 there was no way he could comprehend how important this model would be. His design was unlike any other before or since; a 90-degree V-twin with single overhead camshafts driven by a train of bevel gears. Taglioni soon developed his 750 into a Formula 750 racer, and in 1972 beat the rest of what the world had to offer at the Imola 200. With this victory, the desmodromic 750 became a legend. Ducati responded by producing a hand-built limited production desmodromic Super Sport. They also continued to produce the touring 750 GT and sporting 750 Sport until legislation killed them at the end of 1974. Today, this triumvirate of 750s represents the end of an era; the era before cost accounting and government design requirements. These were amongst the last pure, unadulterated sporting motorcycles built and it is not surprising they have inspired a new generation of retro classics, the Sport Classic of 2005 and 2006.

Reviews:

When you mention the words ïclassic motorcycleÍ and people begin to debate which bikes the term should apply to, there is always total agreement that the Ducati 750 is one bike that is correctly described by this terminology. When Fabio Taglioni designed the 90 degree twin back in 1970, his design was unlike anything before and in fact since! As the title suggests, this book, written by well-known motorcycle historian Ian Falloon, tells you everything you need to know about these Desmodromic 750 twins backed up with extensive and comprehensive specification panels that will enable you to identify and restore any machine. As you might expect, this hardback is well illustrated with period black and white plates as well as modern colour shots of restored or original machines for reference purposes. Although a specialised work aimed at aficionados, it is also a good read from a historical basis and helps you understand what makes a bike a classic! Ian Kerr for www.inter-bike.co.uk, 2007

If you're lucky enough to own a bevel-drive 750, want to own a bevel-drive 750, or just dream about it, then Two Wheels contributor Ian Falloon's The Ducati 750 Bible is probably required ¿ and certainly recommended ¿ reading. Particularly if you're buying one. During the '70s, Ducati's manufacturing processes left a lot to be desired in terms of consistency, so originality is an extremely vexed question. Falloon has done more than anyone else to sort through the evidence to come up with some answers. Review from Two Wheels magazine, August 2007

This book focuses on the 750GT, 750 Sport and 750 Supersport of 1971-1978, starting with a short introduction and history of the whys and wherefores of the legendary V-Twin, moving onto the origins, dates design details. These are the bikes that put Ducati on the sporting map, then firmly entrenched them as artisans and engineers. The detailed last 30 pages review the glamorous racing history of the time.

Ian intends the bible "as a historical analysis and not a restoration guide...", but I'd say it will be an essential addition to the library for the latter. Seemingly, very tiny significant corner of the Ducati world, every file or microfiche and personality has been examined, checked behind the ears, dated and recorded here. Although far from a Ducati nerd, I enjoyed this book ¿ true, there were bits about the east-west battery mount in the 74 750 GT that I lightly skipped ¿ but it is beautifully illustrated and designed, with excellent photography. Review from Motorcycle Trader & News, February 2007

Hardback. 160 pages, 163 colour and black and white pictures, 250mm x 207mm.