Ducati single!

[Steve748]

Al Melling has been working on a 'desmodromic single' for a European motorcycle manufacturer read all about it here. Now I maybe reading something into this, it is only a few words in a sentence, paragraph of an article but why wouldn't Ducati ask an engine designer to come up with a new design (or an improvement of an existing design) for them?

 

[mbg]

Would this be the Supermono engine? It seems to have been an ongoing project for years.

 

[PaulV]

if it is a desmodromic engine it won't be for KTM of BMW..... The desmo technology is Ducati copyright.

 

[Macduff]

Hmmm did you mean patent. Even then I doubt ducati have that as i imagine it would be like trying patent the 4 stroke cycle. They may have a patent on a particular method of desmo valve actuation, but if faded memory serves some German racing cars had desmo valves eons ago (maybe Mercedes) if I could be harrised i'd google it but I cant. oh go on then I did
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desmodromic_valve

 

[Derek]

Ducati may have patented their particular method of desmodromic operation but other manufacturers, notably Mercedes have used it in the past. Anyone else can produce a desmodromic engine so long as it doesn't infringe any patents. i.e by using a different method of getting the mechanics to work.

 

[Steve748]

I can't think of any other bike manufacturer that would be developing a 4 stroke single with a Desmo valve system. So do you think Ducati are going to use this engine in a race bike to fill the gap that is going to be left when 2 strokes are finally fazed out through the changes in what's good/bad for the environment? Is it possible Dorna are moving to a 350 or 500 single for the replacement of the 125cc ?

 

[petzi]

Is it possible Dorna are moving to a 350 or 500 single for the replacement of the 125cc ?

i would appreciate this but due to the actual economic situation the dorna will transform the small class later into a 4 stroke series.

for the new moto2 series ducati had ruled out their participation.