1974 Ducati 750GT
After restoration

This Ducati 750GT was built as a "special", incorporating many different v-twin components. The center of this project was the engine. The owner wanted us to build a Desmodromic 750 by combining his supplied parts; a set of stock 750GT heads and a set of stock 900 Desmo heads (from a Darmah). The basic machine work is fairly simple, requiring four new locations to be bored to accept the closing rocker shafts. The complexity occurred in the installation of the cams. Contrary to popular belief you cannot directly replace a set of 750 cams with a set of 900 Desmo cams. They will fit in but they won’t be timed correctly. We had the privilege of having a 750 and a 900 on the bench next to each other at the time to note the timing differences. What was required was mistiming the cam gear by a tooth plus an offset key to trick the engine into believing the 900 Desmo cams were 750 Desmo cams. The engine was topped off with a set of Wiseco 750SS pistons and 34mm Dellorto carburetors.

The styling of this bike is unique as well. The fuel tank and seat are 750GT with the tank lacking the stock recessed badges. The fenders and chainguard are stainless steel from and early 750GT. The gauge cluster comes courtesy of the 750 Sport. The wheels are shouldered Akronts and the brakes are Brembo goldlines. The rear of the bike is finished off with an early, European-style license plate holder.