 | |
| Manufacturer | Ducati Meccanica S.p.A. |
|---|---|
| Also called | 98, 98N, 98T, 98TL, 98 Sport, 98 Super Sport (in 1952 the 98T was listed as the Cavalline[5]) |
| Predecessor | Ducati 65T, 65TL, 65TS |
| Class | Standard |
| Engine | Air-cooled single cylinder 4-stroke OHV pushrod, 98.058 cc displacement, 49 mm ∅ x 52 mm, 8:1 compression: 98, 98N, 98T, 98TL 8:1. 98S 9:1. 98SS 10:1. wet[6] sump lubrication. |
| Top speed | 98 75 km/h (47 mph). 98N 80 km/h (50 mph). 98T, 98TL 75 km/h (47 mph). 98S90 km/h (56 mph). 98SS 95 km/h (59 mph). |
| Power | 98, 98N 5.5 bhp (4.1 kW) @ 6,800. 98T, 98TL 5.8 bhp (4.3 kW) @ 7,500. 98S, 98SS '53-54 6.8 bhp (5.1 kW) @ 7,800 rpm 98 Sport & SS '55-58 6.5 bhp (4.8 kW) at 7,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 3 speed 98,98N,98T, 4 speed 98TL 98S,98SS |
| Suspension | front: telescopic fork, rear: swing arm. Spring with hydraulic damping. |
| Brakes | front: 6-1/4 in. drum, rear: 5-3/8 in. drum |
| Tires | front: 2.5 in x 17 in. Rear: 2.75 in x 17 in. |
| Wheelbase | 98, 98N 1,240 mm (49 in). 98T, 98TL 1,245 mm (49.0 in) 98S, 98SS 1,200 mm (47 in) |
| Dimensions | L: 98, 98N 1,800 mm (71 in). 98T, 98TL 1,890 mm (74 in) 98S, 98SS n/a W: 660 mm (26 in) H: 960 mm (38 in) |
| Seat height | 98, 98N 730 mm (29 in). 98T, 98TL 762 mm (30.0 in) 98S, 98SS 760 mm (30 in) |
| Weight | 98 72 kg (159 lb). 98N 81 kg (179 lb). 98T 88 kg (194 lb). 98TL 89 kg (196 lb). 98S 81 kg (179 lb). 98SS 79 kg (174 lb) (dry) |
| Fuel capacity | 3.75 US gal (14.2 L) |
| Fuel consumption | 120-130 mpg,[7] 140 mpg claimed[2] |
The Ducati 98, 98N, 98T, 98TL, 98 Sport (98S) and 98 Super Sport (98SS) were a series of single-cylinder OHV, open-cradle pressed-steel frame motorcycles made by Ducati Meccanica from 1952 to 1958. The 98 Sport sold in London in 1956 for £178 10s, which would be £5,627 as of 2024, after inflation.[2]
Ducati was one of several Italian companies that did well in the 1950s with lightweight sporting motorcycles like the 98, especially the 98 Sport, because production recovered relatively quickly after World War II, and because the designers understood that "a model with a racing pedigree, stylish looks, and a bit of excitement was, in the Italian designer's mind, likely to sell in larger numbers than a dull looker, no matter how well engineered, comfortable, and practical."[8]
- ^ Falloon 2004, pp. 16–18
- ^ a b c MotorCycling, 1956
- ^ Walker 1997, pp. 162–164
- ^ Ducati 98 Tech Spec
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Walker3was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ bike has no external oil tank, oil is circulated by crankcase pump from the oil collected in the sump
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Woolettwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Walker 2006, p. 96