1972 Ducati 750GT

1972 Ducati 750GT

Having grown up loving bikes in any shape or form, especially the 'exotics' - the 70's were heady years indeed. Though the British motorcycle industry was sadly waning - we'd already seen the best they could offer - the Triumph Trident and BSA Rocket 3 750's. Very cool bikes, and their pedigree as full blown racers lives on - however the might of the Japanese giants was steadily creeping into our lives - and it was refeshing seeing Italy producing some exciting new 'big' bikes. Laverda introduced the 750GT, an incredibly stylish -- but it was 'just' yet another parallel twin. When Ducati's Fabio Taglioni designed the marques first 90 degree V twin - the 750GT -- it was a pure stroke of genius, and the motorcycling World was suddenly a very different place. The bike was the starting point for Ducati's success in the sport bike/racing field - that continues to this day.

The whole bevel drive camshaft concept was so exciting to anyone with an ounce of mechanical knowledge - it was just mind boggling - yet it worked so well!

Seeing one arriving in our workshop - some 47 years after we'd marveled at the (then brand new) Italian masterpieces, was rather exciting, to say the least!

Though the bike had recently been overhauled by A.N.Other, it was by no means finished, and we addressed all the major issues. One weak point of all the 750GT's was the electrical/charging system, which we remedied by fitting an uprated charging stator, new Centech fuse block, a lithium ion battery and with some rewiring, and all is now well in that department.

New Dyna electronic ignition, NGK plugs & caps fitted.

The clutch was rebuilt using new Surflex plates/springs.

The carburetors were worn out, so we fitted new Amal 930 Premier's - along with K&N air filters.

Oil change with Castrol Actevo 4T 20w50

Many other minor issues addressed, before the bike was fired up, bench tuned and finally test ridden - with a clean bill of health.

A timeless classic indeed!




This bike was well loved throughout its life. The paint was refreshed about 5 years ago. Around the same time the previous owner upgraded the electrical system and remedied Ducati's weak point by fitting an upgraded charging system (dyna electronic ignition), caps plugs, stator, new Centech fuse block, battery and new wiring. The clutch was rebuilt using Surflex plates and springs along with carbs(AMAL Premiers MK1) and suspension (MUPO) upgrades for ride-ability. This bike comes with factory option dual front disk brake system. The bike came out of a collection in OHIO where it sat on static display. The last owner showed the bike some love and got it to where he could ride it, any time. The stock carbs, air box and suspension will be available with the bike at time of purchase.

Ducati 750 GT
Years produced: 1971-1974
Total production: 4,093
Claimed power: 60hp @ 8,000rpm
Top speed: 125mph
Engine type: 748cc overhead valve, air-cooled 90-degree V-twin
Weight (dry): 185kg (407lb)
Price Then: $1,995 (1972)
MPG: 30 (period brochure)

I shouldn't be surprised at just how good this Ducati 750 GT is. As a teenager in the 1970s I'd admired and lusted after the big Bolognese V-twins; read about them and dreamed about them, while riding around on a succession of much less glamorous British and Japanese machines. Since then I've been lucky enough to ride a few classic Ducatis, and not one of them has disappointed.

But the brilliance of the 750 GT, the first of the Ducati V-twin line, still comes as something of a shock to me. Even looking around this immaculate bevel-drive twin is a treat, admiring its stylish orange-and-black paintwork, its period badges, and the lines of that big air-cooled engine with its cooling fins going off in all directions and its attractive, rounded alloy crankcases.

Sitting astride the firmly padded seat and firing up the engine with a lazy kick to send the slender Conti pipes barking out their uniquely tuneful sound is an audible treat. Better still is riding away on what, after all, was the first and least powerful of the twins, to discover that it is not just respectably rapid, but torquey, stable, bursting with character and, most of all, wonderfully enjoyable to ride.