Desmo front brake

[veloduke]

Hi
I recently bought a 250 Desmo, first registered in March 1975.
It has the double sided drum brake, but I'm wondering if it shouldn't have the disc brake. Maybe it was taken off and used on a racer?
This is just out of curiosity really, the drum brake works fine.

I also see that there are two sizes of rear brake, 158mm and 160mm, the latter seems to be associated with bikes which have a disc front brake.
Aside from measuring (which I don't have the tools for), is there an easy way to tell the difference?

Cheers

[Duccout]

I bet the brake is original, as I remember seeing 250's being sold new at the time with both disc and drum brakes.

[ducwiz]

Hi,

the first series of yellow desmo (and the blue MkIII) were equipped with the double-sided 180mm Grimeca and a marzocchie fork, in 1973. The Brembo disk brake came, along with a Ceriani fork, in 1974. My own 350D had the double sided brake, from the day of leaving the factory. Unfortunately, the previous owner fitted a Ceriani GP fork ...

clarke 2012 350 D 086_.jpg

page from a 1973 leaflet

cheers Hans

[blethermaskite]

if your desmo had originally been fitted with a disc brake it would also have been fitted with ceriani front forks.(that looks like a very nice wee bike)
Cheers,
George

[veloduke]

Hi

Yes, I guess then it could be original.

The bike may have had a front end shunt as the rim is Akront and the headlight is a Lucas ( ) item.

Not a super shiny machine, but more than good enough for me.

Anyway, jut want to ride it...

[Duccout]

Yes a lot must have happened in those 45 years. If only she could talk.

[graeme]

The triple clamps were also different on drum brake yellow bikes, more of a boomerang shape that the flat front on the disc brake bikes.
Some had fixed clutch and brake lever perches, like shotguns.
Disc brake had adjustable perches.
But when these bikes were made was the end of production and lots were made with what ever Ducati had at the time.
I’ve had 3 disc brake 450’s with 250 frames. (as far as I was able to find they were sold like that)

Graeme

[veloduke]

@Duccout

Yes a lot must have happened in those 45 years. If only she could talk.

If she's anything like me, she'll have forgotten most of it .

[graeme]

Very true !!!

[LaceyDucati]

Hi Max
The bike's looking good, certainly more loved than when I saw it last. She's been suffering from claustrophobia for probably 30 years You did a nice sympathetic tidy up, glad it found a good home, hopefully you will get to ride it soon.
Regards Nigel