1972 Ducati 450 TS Scrambler, Frame no. to be advised Engine no. DM450 454490

1972 Ducati 450 TS Scrambler
Frame no. to be advised
Engine no. DM450 454490
Fabio Taglioni has quite rightly been called Ducati's savior, the engineer who laid the cornerstone for the company's ensuing success. Hired in 1954 he came with a head full of ideas hicef among them was desmodromic valve actuation, soon to be a signature Ducati feature.

In the 1950s metallurgy had yet to catch up to improving engine designs, so at the 10,000rpm and above Taglioni wanted to spin his race singles, valve springs began to fail, leading to 'float' and the resulting inaccurate combustion, or worse, the valve head and piston top coming into contact, with predictable dire results. In a 'desmo' system an engine's valves were both opened and closed mechanically, no need for conventional springs, so Taglioni was free to shorten his piston's stroke and rev it into five figures without harm. On the track Dr. T's desmo was a winner first time out, but it would take another decade before desmodromics made it the street in the 1968 250s and 350s. The first 450 desmos came as a scrambler and roadster. For 1972 Ducati produced 1,561 450 Scramblers.

This now rare black frame, virtually original, 450 TS comes from a Colorado collection. The newly honed bore has new rings otherwise the engine and transmission is to original specification although thoroughly cleaned and adjusted. Recently added were a new chain, sprockets and tires, as well as NOS Tommaselli handlebar controls. In addition, an NOS headlamp and instruments come with the bike but are not installed.