Ducati 851
Encyclopedia
The Ducati 851 was a Ducati
motorcycle
, with liquid cooling and four valve heads
, released to the public in 1987. Development had lagged with the continued use of two valve engines, but new funds enabled a technological move forward Ducati needed at the time.
invested in the development of another V-twin
, but with liquid cooling, and four-valve desmodromic
heads. Massimo Bordi had designed a 4V Desmo in 1973 for his thesis at the University of Bologna
, and with Cagiva in 1985, saw his updated ideas come into production as the Desmoquattro.
Based on the Pantah motor, but with liquid cooling, fuel injection
, and desmodromic four valve heads (with an included valve angle of 40°), the 851 made Ducati once again competitive in motorcycle racing.
The original Desmo Quattro was an experimental 748 cc 4 valve racer (seen at the Bol d'Or
in 1986) and used 750 F1 Pantah
crankcases. Bordi collaborated with Cosworth to develop the heads, but in the time they had, they were only able to reduce the included valve angle of the desmodromic engine to 40°, while less than 30° was possible with valve springs. Ducati stuck with the desmodromics.
The subsequent 851 road bike had stronger crankcase
s, while the heads and valves remained the same; designed to fit above the 88 mm bore of a 748 cc version.
The 1987 – 1988 Ducati 851 Strada used the signature steel tube trellis frame, adorned with Marvic wheels, Brembo brakes and Marzocchi suspension. That first release was criticised for its handling, so the front wheel was changed from a 16 inch to a 17 inch (41 to 43 cm) wheel. In addition, upgraded suspension components were fitted.
In 1992 the bore was enlarged, thus creating the Ducati 888
.
Three 1992 Ducati Superbike models were available: the 851 Strada (851 cc), the 888 SP4 (888 cc) and the 888 SP4S (888 cc).
Ducati Motor Holding
Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. is a motorcycle manufacturer in Bologna, Italy. It produces motorcycles for both road use and motorcycle racing.- History :...
motorcycle
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...
, with liquid cooling and four valve heads
Cylinder head
In an internal combustion engine, the cylinder head sits above the cylinders on top of the cylinder block. It closes in the top of the cylinder, forming the combustion chamber. This joint is sealed by a head gasket...
, released to the public in 1987. Development had lagged with the continued use of two valve engines, but new funds enabled a technological move forward Ducati needed at the time.
Ducati 851
After buying Ducati, CagivaCagiva
Cagiva is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer. It was founded in 1950 by Giovanni Castiglioni in Varese, originally producing small metal components. It went into the motorcycle industry in 1978. The name is a portmanteau derived from the founder and the founding location, i.e. CAstiglioni GIovanni...
invested in the development of another V-twin
V-twin
A V-twin engine is a two-cylinder internal combustion engine where the cylinders are arranged in a V configuration.- Crankshaft configuration :Most V-twin engines have a single crankpin, which is shared by both connecting rods...
, but with liquid cooling, and four-valve desmodromic
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...
heads. Massimo Bordi had designed a 4V Desmo in 1973 for his thesis at the University of Bologna
University of Bologna
The Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna is the oldest continually operating university in the world, the word 'universitas' being first used by this institution at its foundation. The true date of its founding is uncertain, but believed by most accounts to have been 1088...
, and with Cagiva in 1985, saw his updated ideas come into production as the Desmoquattro.
Based on the Pantah motor, but with liquid cooling, fuel injection
Fuel injection
Fuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s....
, and desmodromic four valve heads (with an included valve angle of 40°), the 851 made Ducati once again competitive in motorcycle racing.
The original Desmo Quattro was an experimental 748 cc 4 valve racer (seen at the Bol d'Or
Bol d'or
The Bol d'or is a motorcycle endurance race, held annually in France. Originally, it was an automobile as well as motorcycle race. The automobiles were limited to 1100cc engine capacity until the 1950s when the limit was raised to 1500cc, and later to 2000cc...
in 1986) and used 750 F1 Pantah
Ducati Pantah
The Pantah was the first of the belt-driven camshaft Ducati motors, the first generation of the current Ducati V twins. First shown December 1979, it came on the market as the 1980 500SL and the last of the line 650SL was sold in 1986...
crankcases. Bordi collaborated with Cosworth to develop the heads, but in the time they had, they were only able to reduce the included valve angle of the desmodromic engine to 40°, while less than 30° was possible with valve springs. Ducati stuck with the desmodromics.
The subsequent 851 road bike had stronger crankcase
Crankcase
In an internal combustion engine of the reciprocating type, the crankcase is the housing for the crankshaft. The enclosure forms the largest cavity in the engine and is located below the cylinder, which in a multicylinder engine are usually integrated into one or several cylinder blocks...
s, while the heads and valves remained the same; designed to fit above the 88 mm bore of a 748 cc version.
The 1987 – 1988 Ducati 851 Strada used the signature steel tube trellis frame, adorned with Marvic wheels, Brembo brakes and Marzocchi suspension. That first release was criticised for its handling, so the front wheel was changed from a 16 inch to a 17 inch (41 to 43 cm) wheel. In addition, upgraded suspension components were fitted.
In 1992 the bore was enlarged, thus creating the Ducati 888
Ducati 888
The Ducati 888 was a motorcycle manufactured by Ducati as an upgrade to the Ducati 851. The earlier 851 had introduced liquid cooling, computerized fuel injection and four-valve heads to the company's two cylinder motors. In 1991 Ducati increased the capacity of the 851 to 888 cc to create...
.
Three 1992 Ducati Superbike models were available: the 851 Strada (851 cc), the 888 SP4 (888 cc) and the 888 SP4S (888 cc).
Racing
- 1986
Marco LucchinelliMarco LucchinelliMarco Lucchinelli is a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. In 1981 he won the FIM 500cc World Championship.Lucchinelli began his road racing career in 1975 on a Laverda in endurance racing...
- Ducati 851 (Pole Position, Misano GP)
- 1987 Marco LucchinelliMarco LucchinelliMarco Lucchinelli is a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. In 1981 he won the FIM 500cc World Championship.Lucchinelli began his road racing career in 1975 on a Laverda in endurance racing...
- Ducati 851 (Pole Position, SBK)
- 1990
Raymond RocheRaymond RocheRaymond Roche is a French former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. In 1981, he teamed up with Jean Lafond to win the Endurance World Championship. His best year in Grand Prix racing was in 1984 when he finished third in the 500cc world championship behind Eddie Lawson and Randy Mamola...
- Ducati 851 SBK (World Champion, SBK)