Category:
        
        
            Italian Performance Motorcycle
        
     
    
        
            Segment:
        
        
            Sportbike / Naked Bike
        
     
    
    
        
            Competitors:
        
        
            Moto Guzzi V50/V65, BMW R65/R75, Kawasaki KZ550/KZ650, Yamaha XJ550/XJ650
        
     
    
    
        
            Engine Layout:
        
        
            Desmodromic L-Twin
        
     
    
        
            Frame Type:
        
        
            Steel Trellis Frame
        
     
    
        
            Suspension Frontend:
        
        
            Conventional Telescopic Forks
        
     
    
        
            Suspension Rear:
        
        
            Swingarm with Monoshock (early models) or Twin Shocks (later Pantahs)
        
     
    
 
    
    
    
        
            Engine:
        
        
            Full engine overhaul, diagnosis, tuning, component disassembly/reassembly
        
     
    
        
            Fuel System:
        
        
            Carburetor servicing (Dell'Orto PHF/PHBE), fuel pump, fuel lines
        
     
    
        
            Ignition System:
        
        
            CDI ignition, coil testing, timing adjustment
        
     
    
        
            Transmission:
        
        
            Gearbox disassembly, inspection, repair, clutch service (dry clutch)
        
     
    
        
            Chassis Suspension:
        
        
            Front fork overhaul (Marzocchi/Ceriani), rear shock absorber adjustment/rebuild, swingarm service
        
     
    
        
            Brakes:
        
        
            Brake caliper overhaul (Brembo), master cylinder service, hydraulic system bleeding, disc inspection
        
     
    
        
            Electrical System:
        
        
            Wiring diagrams, starter motor, alternator, battery, lighting system, switchgear diagnosis
        
     
    
        
            Frame Bodywork:
        
        
            Frame inspection, fairing repair, seat assembly, control cables
        
     
    
    
        
            Maintenance:
        
        
            Routine servicing, oil changes, filter replacement, spark plug replacement, chain adjustment
        
     
    
        
            Troubleshooting:
        
        
            Diagnostic guides for common starting, running, and electrical issues
        
     
    
        
            Repair:
        
        
            Step-by-step repair instructions for all major components
        
     
    
        
            Rebuilds:
        
        
            Complete engine and gearbox rebuild procedures
        
     
    
    
        
            Depth:
        
        
            Comprehensive; covers everything from basic maintenance to full engine and transmission rebuilds.
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            Engine Type:
        
        
            Air-cooled, 4-stroke, L-twin (90° V-twin), Desmodromic valve actuation
        
     
    
        
            Displacement:
        
        
            498 cc (or 499 cc for later variants)
        
     
    
        
            Bore X Stroke:
        
        
            79 mm x 50.6 mm
        
     
    
        
            Compression Ratio:
        
        
            9.5:1 (approx.)
        
     
    
    
        
            Horsepower:
        
        
            45-50 hp @ 8000 rpm (approx., depending on variant and tuning)
        
     
    
        
            Torque:
        
        
            40-43 Nm @ 6500 rpm (approx.)
        
     
    
    
        
            Carburetors:
        
        
            2 x Dell'Orto PHF 30mm or PHBE 30mm
        
     
    
        
            Fuel Type:
        
        
            Unleaded gasoline (min. 95 RON)
        
     
    
    
        
            Oil Capacity:
        
        
            2.5 liters (including filter)
        
     
    
        
            Oil Type:
        
        
            SAE 10W-40 or 20W-50 API SG (or equivalent)
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            Crash Safety:
        
        
            N/A (No formal motorcycle crash safety ratings in this era)
        
     
    
    
        
            Braking System Front:
        
        
            Dual Disc Brakes, Brembo calipers
        
     
    
        
            Braking System Rear:
        
        
            Single Disc Brake, Brembo caliper
        
     
    
    
        
            Lighting:
        
        
            Halogen Headlight, integrated taillight/brake light, turn signals
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            Oil Change Interval:
        
        
            Every 5,000 km or annually
        
     
    
        
            Desmo Service Interval:
        
        
            Every 10,000-12,000 km (valve clearance adjustment)
        
     
    
        
            Spark Plug Replacement:
        
        
            Every 10,000 km
        
     
    
        
            Chain Adjustment:
        
        
            Every 2,000 km or as needed
        
     
    
    
    
        
            Fork Oil:
        
        
            SAE 15W (approx. 150-160 ml per leg)
        
     
    
        
            Gearbox Oil:
        
        
            SAE 75W-90 API GL-4
        
     
    
    
        
            Desmodromic System:
        
        
            Requires precise adjustment, wear in rocker arms/bearings over high mileage
        
     
    
        
            Dry Clutch:
        
        
            Can be noisy, requires careful engagement, can wear clutch plates relatively quickly if ridden aggressively
        
     
    
        
            Electrical System:
        
        
            Wiring can degrade over time, particularly earth connections; rectifier/regulator issues can occur
        
     
    
        
            Carburetion:
        
        
            Dell'Orto carburetors can be sensitive to tuning and require regular cleaning/rebuilding
        
     
    
        
            Frame Corrosion:
        
        
            Older steel trellis frames can be susceptible to rust if not maintained
        
     
 
    
    
    
    
        
            Marque Specialty:
        
        
            Performance motorcycles, V-twin engines, Desmodromic valve gear
        
     
    
    
        
            Predecessor:
        
        
            Various earlier Ducati parallel twins and V-twins
        
     
    
        
            Significance:
        
        
            First Ducati production motorcycle with a stressed-member trellis frame and a modern monoshock rear suspension (on some variants). Revolutionized Ducati's lineup.
        
     
    
        
            Variants:
        
        
            500 SL, 500 Sport, 600 SL (later Pantah generations evolved from this base)
        
     
    
    
        
            Production Years:
        
        
            1980-1986 (Pantah series)
        
     
    
        
            Manufacturing Location:
        
        
            Bologna, Italy
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            Industry Impact:
        
        
            Widely credited with saving Ducati and laying the groundwork for future V-twin models, including the Monster and 916.
        
     
    
    
        
            Contemporary Reviews:
        
        
            Praised for its handling, braking, and distinctive L-twin character, though often criticized for early reliability issues and the characteristic dry clutch noise.