| Manufacturer | Ducati |
|---|---|
| Production | 1974 |
| Class | Standard |
| Engine | 238.6 cc (14.56 cu in) Air-cooled bevel drive SOHC single cylinder four stroke |
| Bore / stroke | 72.5 mm × 57.8 mm (2.85 in × 2.28 in) |
| Power | 22 bhp (16 kW) @ 7,500 rpm |
| Transmission | Multiplate wet clutch, 5 speed |
| Frame type | Single cradle |
| Suspension | Front: telescopic forks Rear: swinging arm |
| Brakes | Front (Mk 3): Twin-sided 180 mm (7.1 in) drum Front (Mk 3D): Single 280 mm (11 in) disc (Mk 3D) Rear: 160 mm (6.3 in) drum |
| Tyres | Front: 300x19 Rear: 350x18 |
| Wheelbase | 1,360 mm (54 in) |
| Dimensions | L: 2,000 mm (79 in) W: 780 mm (31 in) |
| Seat height | 735 mm (28.9 in) |
| Weight | 128 kg (282 lb) (dry) |
| Footnotes / references [1][2][3] | |
The Ducati 239 Mark 3 is a 239 cc (14.6 cu in) single cylinder bevel drive SOHC motorcycle produced by the Italian manufacturer Ducati in limited quantities[4] for the French market in 1974. The French Government has announced that they were to increase VAT on motorcycles of 240 cc and above in 1975. Ducati responded by producing the 239 to take advantage of the lower 20% VAT rate on sub-240 machines.[1] To compensate for the reduced capacity, the engine was tuned to produce more power[5] with a different camshaft,[1] slipper piston, 30 mm carburettor and a different exhaust using a Lafranconi silencer.[5]
The factory ceased production of ohc singles in 1974. The remaining stocks were purchased by the then British importer Coburn & Hughes, including some 239s, who continued to sell them until early 1976.[5]
A desmodromic valve version, the Ducati 239 Mark 3D, was also available.[1][5]
Total production was around 400 machines; 250 Mark 3s and 150 Mark 3Ds.[6]