S-22720-0-1

381 N1968 Ducati 340cc Mark 3Racing MotorcycleFrame no. DGM77360M 358990Engine no. DM350 M3 22701Designed by the legendary Fabio Taglioni, the first Ducati overheadcamshaftsingle - the 100 Gran Sport - appeared on the racetrackin 1954 and soon proved unbeatable in its class. Taglioni’s versatiledesign proved capable of considerable enlargement, beingproduced in various capacities from the original 98cc up to 450cc.Desmodromic valve operation was a feature of the racing versionsand would later be applied to the sportier roadsters.The first major revision to the original design occurred in 1967when the ‘wide case’ engine was introduced, which featured an aftengine mount wider than before and numerous other improvements,the most significant being a stronger big-end assembly. Mid-waythrough 1968, the Mark 3 was introduced in both valve-spring andDesmo versions, differences between the two being confined almostentirely to the cylinder head. Noteworthy subsequent developmentsincluded further increases in big-end size, the adoption of a Grimecadouble-sided front brake, and the introduction of electronic ignitionthe final Mark 3s in 1973. The latter came in blue/gold (valve-spring)and yellow (Desmo) colour schemes. A Brembo front disc brakewas an option on the Desmos. Lightweight, nimble, sure-footed andpossessing a gem of an engine that sounds glorious when it comes‘on the cam’, these little Dukes are a purist’s delight to ride and arewidely used in classic racing today.This 340cc Mark 3 racer was purchased by the current vendor,a prominent German private collector, in Italy at a hill climb nearBolsano, and since acquisition has been ridden twice at Ducati ClubMünchen events at Hockenheim (in 1990 and 1991). We are advisedthat different carburettor jet and needles have been experimentedwith until the ideal combination was found, and that the engine nowruns very well, pulling smoothly at both high and low revs.£12,000 - 16,000€17,000 - 22,000140 | the spring stafford saleBidders must satisfy themselves as to the description and condition of each lotprior to bidding. All lots are sold “as is/where is” with all defects and faults.