Specifications: 436 cc SOHC Desmo single, five speeds.

Before the advent of the 750 Super Sport V-twin and Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari’s amazing 1-2 at Imola in 1972, the 450-cc Desmo single was about as fast as one could go on a Ducati.

The wide-case singles would be introduced in 250-cc and 350-cc sizes in 1968, but Franco Farne first rode a wide-case Desmo in the season opener at Modena in 1966. A year’s development followed, and then Roberto Gallina appeared with a 350-cc Desmo at Modena in March 1967, which generated 45 horsepower at 10,500 rpm.

When the 450 appeared at Rimini in 1968, it pulled 50 horsepower at 9,000 rpm. The 450 had twin plug ignition, larger valves, a 42-mm Dell’Orto carburettor and a 10-to-1 compression ratio, reinforced swing arm and Fontana twin leading shoe front brake.

Gallina, Parlotti and Spaggiari tried hard in 1969, and Spaggiari managed two 2nd place finishes behind Renzo Pasolini’s Benelli four-cylinder at Modena and Cesenatico. But even with its Desmo valve gear and wide power band, the single could not overcome the multi-cylinder MVs, Benellis and Patons, though the bikes did well at Rimini, Modena and Riccione. Taglioni turned his attention to the Desmo V-twin that would become the 750 Sport and Super Sport with dramatic results. The single’s best finish was Charles Mortimer’s 250-cc Production win at the Isle of Man in 1970 at an average of 84.87 mph.

The bike on offer is a well-prepared and unrestored Italian series racer, ridden by Nencioni. Finished in red and white, it features Borrani alloy rims, Dell’Orto SS1 carburettor, Marzocchi forks with a Fontana front brake, Veglia tachometer and Menani handlebars. It would certainly be competitive at any race for which it is eligible.

This motorcycle was displayed at the Ducati factory museum and prominently featured in the official Ducati museum book. It comes with an attestation from NCR confirming it was race-prepared by them with special racing components.