Ducati Bronco
Encyclopedia
The 125 Bronco was a tubular steel/full-duplex-framed, base model motorcycle
made by Ducati from 1960 to 1966, produced mainly for American distributor Berliner Motor Corporation
. It was the second to last example, before the Ducati 125 Cadet/4, of Ducati pushrod technology which began in 1952 with the pressed-frame Ducati 98
models, which themselves had followed the Cucciolo T3, pull-rod (Ducati 60
) and pushrod (60 Sport, 65 Sport, 65T Tourist
) design singles.
A 1965 Bronco model was advertised for US$ 379, which would be US$ in 2009 dollars, and touted as "America's most popular and reliable lightweight motorcycle." Bronco versions in 85 cc (1959-62) and 98 cc (1959-63) had also been produced.
The bike's 124.4 cc single-cylinder powerplant, redesigned for the 1958 125 Aurea
, was an overhead valve pushrod engine made visually distinctive by a "Ducati Meccanica" winged laurel wreath and "D" logo cast in relief in brass on the left side aluminum flywheel cover. Mechanically, the new engine used an internal rather than external oil line feeding the upper valve train. The Aurea was styled like previous sporty standard models (Ducati 125 TV
, 125 T), but had a 6V battery added to help the flywheel magneto power the lights and horn. For the 1960 Bronco, the Aurea's low, racing-style handlebar was replaced with a more upright touring handlebar, and a smaller gas tank, and smaller 16-inch, knobby tires were fitted.
The winged "D" emblem was repeated with a decal on the sides of the tank, along with a decal of a prancing horse (or "Cavallino Rampante") on the sides of the toolbox.
After the 125 Bronco and Cadet/4, Ducati made no further refinements of the OHV pushrod singles line that had begun with the Ducati 85, focusing instead on the OHC bevel drive and desmo
singles, and ultimately twins
, that were to became integral with the Ducati image.
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
made by Ducati from 1960 to 1966, produced mainly for American distributor Berliner Motor Corporation
Berliner Motor Corporation
Berliner Motor Corporation was the US distributor from the 1950s through the 1980s for several European motorcycle marques, including Ducati, J-Be, Matchless, Moto Guzzi, Norton, Sachs and Zündapp, as well as selling Metzeler tires...
. It was the second to last example, before the Ducati 125 Cadet/4, of Ducati pushrod technology which began in 1952 with the pressed-frame Ducati 98
Ducati 98
The Ducati 98, 98N, 98T, 98TL, 98 Sport and 98 Super Sport were a series of single-cylinder OHV, open-cradle pressed-steel frame motorcycles made by Ducati Meccanica from 1952 to 1958...
models, which themselves had followed the Cucciolo T3, pull-rod (Ducati 60
Ducati 60
-Description:The Ducati 60 of 1949-50 was Ducati's first in a long line of four-stroke, OHV singles that would run until the 125 Cadet/4 of 1967. The 60 used the 60 cc pullrod engine of the Cucciolo T3 moped, and a frame supplied by Caproni. The 60 Sport of 1950-52 used Ducati's own frame,...
) and pushrod (60 Sport, 65 Sport, 65T Tourist
Ducati 65T
The Ducati 65T, and the 65TL luxury version, were motorcycles manufactured by Ducati Meccanica S.p.A, from 1952 to 1958, coming out in the same year as the 98. The 65TS appeared in 1955, ten pounds lighter, with a different gas tank, lower handlebars and dual seat.In 1958, the 65T sold in London...
) design singles.
A 1965 Bronco model was advertised for US$ 379, which would be US$ in 2009 dollars, and touted as "America's most popular and reliable lightweight motorcycle." Bronco versions in 85 cc (1959-62) and 98 cc (1959-63) had also been produced.
Description
Ducati Aurea
|image =|aka =|manufacturer = Ducati Meccanica S.p.A|parent_company =|production =|model_year = 1958-1962|predecessor =|successor =|class = Standard...
, was an overhead valve pushrod engine made visually distinctive by a "Ducati Meccanica" winged laurel wreath and "D" logo cast in relief in brass on the left side aluminum flywheel cover. Mechanically, the new engine used an internal rather than external oil line feeding the upper valve train. The Aurea was styled like previous sporty standard models (Ducati 125 TV
Ducati 125 TV
The Ducati 125 T and 125 TV were single cylinder, four-stroke OHV motorcycles built from 1956 to 1960, featuring a double downtube full cradle steel frame and full-width drum brakes....
, 125 T), but had a 6V battery added to help the flywheel magneto power the lights and horn. For the 1960 Bronco, the Aurea's low, racing-style handlebar was replaced with a more upright touring handlebar, and a smaller gas tank, and smaller 16-inch, knobby tires were fitted.
The winged "D" emblem was repeated with a decal on the sides of the tank, along with a decal of a prancing horse (or "Cavallino Rampante") on the sides of the toolbox.
After the 125 Bronco and Cadet/4, Ducati made no further refinements of the OHV pushrod singles line that had begun with the Ducati 85, focusing instead on the OHC bevel drive and desmo
Desmodromic valve
A desmodromic valve is a reciprocating engine valve that is positively closed by a cam and leverage system, rather than by a more conventional spring...
singles, and ultimately twins
Ducati V-twin motorcycles
The next new Ducati engine to appear after the Ducati Apollo was the 90°V twin, initial Grand Prix racing versions being 500 cc, and the production bikes were 750 cc. There was also the Ducati 750 Imola Desmo that won at Imola in 1972. These engines had bevel gear shaft drive to the overhead...
, that were to became integral with the Ducati image.