View source for Engineering:Ducati 98

{{Infobox Motorcycle
|name             = Ducati 98<ref name=Falloon1>{{harvnb|Falloon|2004|pp=16–18}}</ref><ref name=MotorCycling1>MotorCycling, 1956</ref><ref name=Walker1>{{harvnb|Walker|1997|pp=162–164}}</ref><ref name=Ducati1>[http://www.ducati.com/heritage/anni50/ducati98/caratteristiche.jhtml Ducati 98 Tech Spec]</ref>
|image            = [[File:Ducati 98 001.jpg|220px]]
|aka              = 98, 98N, 98T, 98TL, 98 Sport, 98 Super Sport (in 1952 the 98T was listed as the Cavalline<ref name=Walker3/>)
|manufacturer     = [[Company:Ducati Motor Holding|Ducati Meccanica S.p.A.]]
|parent_company   =
|production       =
|model_year       = ''98'' 1952-55, ''98N'' 1956-57, ''98T, 98TL'' 1953-58, ''98S'' 1953-56, ''98SS'' 1956-57
|predecessor      = [[Engineering:Ducati 65T|Ducati 65T, 65TL, 65TS]]
|successor        =
|class            = [[Engineering:Types of motorcycles#Standard|Standard]]
|engine           = Air-cooled [[Engineering:Motorcycle engine#Single|single cylinder]] 4-stroke [[Engineering:Overhead valve engine|OHV]] pushrod, 98.058 cc displacement, 49&nbsp;mm ∅ x 52&nbsp;mm, 8:1 compression:  ''98, 98N, 98T, 98TL'' 8:1. ''98S'' 9:1.  ''98SS'' 10:1.  wet<ref>bike has no external oil tank, oil is circulated by crankcase pump from the oil collected in the sump</ref> sump lubrication.
|top_speed        = ''98'' {{Convert|75|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. ''98N'' {{Convert|80|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.  ''98T, 98TL'' {{Convert|75|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. ''98S''{{Convert|90|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.  ''98SS'' {{Convert|95|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.
|power            = ''98, 98N'' {{Convert|5.5|bhp|kW|abbr=on}} @ 6,800.'' 98T, 98TL'' {{Convert|5.8|bhp|kW|abbr=on}} @ 7,500. ''98S, 98SS'' '53-54 {{Convert|6.8|bhp|kW|abbr=on}} @ 7,800 rpm<br />98 Sport & SS '55-58 {{Convert|6.5|bhp|kW|abbr=on}} at 7,000 rpm
|torque           =
|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.
|rake_trail       =
|wheelbase        = ''98, 98N'' {{Convert|1240|mm|in|abbr=on}}.'' 98T, 98TL'' {{Convert|1245|mm|in|abbr=on}} ''98S, 98SS'' {{Convert|1200|mm|in|abbr=on}}
|length           = ''98, 98N'' {{Convert|1800|mm|in|abbr=on}}.'' 98T, 98TL'' {{Convert|1890|mm|in|abbr=on}} ''98S, 98SS'' n/a
|width            = {{Convert|660|mm|in|abbr=on}}
|height           = {{Convert|960|mm|in|abbr=on}}
|seat_height      =  ''98, 98N'' {{Convert|730|mm|in|abbr=on}}. '' 98T, 98TL'' {{Convert|762|mm|in|abbr=on}} ''98S, 98SS'' {{Convert|760|mm|in|abbr=on}}
|dry_weight       = ''98'' {{Convert|72|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.  ''98N'' {{Convert|81|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. ''98T'' {{Convert|88|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.  ''98TL'' {{Convert|89|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. ''98S'' {{Convert|81|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. ''98SS'' {{Convert|79|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
|wet_weight       =
|fuel_capacity    = {{Convert|3.75|usgal|L|abbr=on}}
|oil_capacity     =
|fuel_consumption = 120-130 mpg,<ref name=Woolett/> 140 mpg claimed<ref name=MotorCycling1/>
|turning_radius   =
|climbing_ability =
|related          =
}}
The '''Ducati 98''', '''98N''', '''98T''', '''98TL''', '''98 Sport''' (98S) and '''98 Super Sport''' (98SS) were a series of [[Engineering:Motorcycle engine#Single|single-cylinder]] [[Engineering:Overhead valve engine|OHV]], [[Engineering:Motorcycle frame|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 £{{formatnum:{{Inflation|UK|178.5|1956}}}} as of {{CURRENTYEAR}}, after inflation.<ref name=MotorCycling1/>

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."<ref name=Walker4>{{harvnb|Walker|2006|p=96}}</ref>

==Development==
The series was envisioned as a "bare-bones low performance model,"<ref name=Ducati2>[http://www.ducati.com/heritage/anni50/ducati98/ducati98.jhtml Heritage: Ducati 98]</ref> but the 98 Sport of 1953 became Ducati's "first true sporting model."<ref name=Falloon2>{{harvnb|Falloon|2004|p=18}}</ref>  The new design by Ducati's chief engineer, Giovanni Fiorio, made its debut at the 1952 Milan Show with the showing of the 98N and 98T (with twin seat).<ref name=Faloon2>{{harvnb|Falloon|Taglioni|2006|pp=12–13}}</ref>  The following year, the 98 Sport was presented at the same show, a lighter bike with alloy instead of chrome steel rims,<ref name=Walker3/> and a higher state of tune, and the addition of a finned oil cooler at the front of the engine.<ref name=Falloon4>{{harvnb|Falloon|Taglioni|2006|p=14}}</ref><ref name=Thompson1>{{harvnb|Thompson|Bonnello|1998|p=12}}</ref>

Although the 98 had some success in competition,<ref name=Woolett>{{harvnb|Woolett|1957}}</ref><ref name=Ducati2/> its limitations made Ducati Director Giuseppe Montano decide to begin a racing program led by a new engineer, Fabio Taglioni.<ref name=Falloon4/>  Though Taglioni mainly worked on the new OHC bikes, he might have influenced the 98S of 1954.<ref name=Walker2>{{harvnb|Walker|1997|p=14}}</ref>

==Popularity==
Reviewers at the time found the bike expensive, but were generally positive, liking the sporting feel of the suspension, gearing and brakes, as well praising the fuel economy and the Italian styling.<ref name=MotorCycling1/><ref name=Woolett/>  The series would prove to be one of Ducati's most successful early efforts.<ref name=Walker2/>  The price, performance, and stylish looks of the 98S became popular in the Italian ''la passeggiata'' (street cruising scene) of the era and sold well in the home market.<ref name=Walker3>{{harvnb|Walker|1997|p=17}}</ref><ref name=Salvadori>{{harvnb|Salvadori|2004}}</ref>

Today the 98 Sport is the model of this series most sought after by collectors and restorers.  The other versions, while originally more numerous, today suffer from a scarcity of parts and relatively low resale value.<ref name=Walker5>{{harvnb|Walker|2002|p=12}} "If you find an original 98 Sport grab it, if you uncover a similar condition 98 Super Sport steal it!  The standard models are much less attractive and therefore far less valuable."</ref>

Though similar in name, the Ducati 98 TS (aka 98 Bronco) was different than the earlier 98 range, having a milder-tuned engine (7:1 compression) and a new [[Engineering:Motorcycle frame|duplex full-cradle tubular steel frame]].<ref name=Falloon5>{{harvnb|Falloon|2004|p=19}}</ref>

==98 Super Sport mystery==
There are questions as to the existence of the 98 Super Sport, as a distinct model from the 98 Sport. While authors Ian Falloon and Mick Walker describe such a version,<ref name=Walker1/><ref name=Falloon2/> saying it was faster and lighter than the 98 Sport, with Walker adding that the 98 SS is very rare and sought after by collectors,<ref name=Walker5/> other evidence, such as photographs of the elusive 98 SS, is lacking.  One explanation is that the name "Super Sport" was used instead of "Sport" after 1955 as a marketing label, rather than a technical distinction, to describe the last, and best performing, of the 98 Sport models.<ref name=Ruffini1>{{harvnb|Ruffini|2007|p=25}}  ''"Communque, la denominazione 98 SS viene ignorata sui documenti della Casa; serviva forse per definare in termini pratici e commerciali, anziché tecnici, l'ultima e piú brillante linea della 98 S."''  Translation:  "...the SS name is ignored in the Ducati official documents: it was probably meant to indicate in practical and commercial terms, rather than technical terms, the last and more performing line of 98 S models."</ref>

==See also==
*List of motorcycles of the 1950s

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{Citation  | last = Falloon  | first = Ian  | title = Standard Catalog of Ducati Motorcycles 1946-2005  | publisher = KP Books | location = Iola, WI  | pages = 16–18  | year = 2004  | isbn = 978-0-87349-714-5 }}
* {{Citation
|title=The Ducati Story: Racing and Production Models from 1945 to Present Day |first=Ian |last=Falloon |first2=Fabio (FRW) |last2=Taglioni |edition = 4th | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6nE3HAAACAAJ |publisher=Haynes |year=2006| isbn=978-1-84425-322-7 }}
* {{Citation |title=Ducati 98 S |last=Ruffini |first=Enrico |others=Livio Lodi, Silvio Malaguti, Renzo Neri, Giorgio Stancari |periodical= Legend Bike |pages=18–27 |date = September 2007|publisher=Cantelli Editore S.r.l |volume=17 |issue=180 |url=http://www.legendbike.it/}}
* {{Citation |title=Road tales the Italian connection: the author's vaguely Italian heritage has given him the audacity to try to explain the mysteries of the machinations of this Mediterranean motorcycle marketplace |periodical=Rider |date=1 December 2004|last= Salvadori |first=Clement |publisher=Ehlert Publishing Group |url= http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-5051427_ITM |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070223191419/http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-5051427_ITM |archive-date=23 February 2007 }}
* {{Citation |title=Ducati  |first1=Jon F. |last1=Thompson |first2= Joe |last2=Bonnello |publisher=MotorBooks/MBI Publishing Company |year=1998 |isbn=978-0-7603-0389-4 |page=80 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MtkGWwy13HMC }}
* {{Citation | last = Walker | first = Mick | title = Ducati Singles: All Two-And Four-Stroke Single-Cylinder Motorcycles, Including Mototrans - 1945 Onwards | publisher = Osprey Pub Co | year = 1997 | location = London | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=sRaCNAAACAAJ |edition=2nd |isbn = 978-1-85532-717-7 }}
* {{Citation | last =Walker | first =Mick | year =2002 | title =Illustrated Ducati Buyer's Guide | edition = 3rd | publisher =MotorBooks/MBI Publishing Company | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=PJ8ht7O8ccQC  | isbn=978-0-7603-1309-1 }}
* {{Citation |title=Motorcycle: Evolution, Design, Passion |first=Mick |last=Walker  |publisher=JHU Press |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-8018-8530-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AHSlknpjrgAC }}
* {{Citation |first=Mick |last=Woolett |title=40 m.p.h. average on a '98': Road test of a Ducati 98S |periodical=Motorcycle News |pages=15–5 |date=22 March 1957 }}
* {{Citation |title=Ducati 98 Tech Spec |chapter=Heritage| publisher=Ducati Motor Holding |year=2009|url=http://www.ducati.com/heritage/anni50/ducati98/caratteristiche.jhtml}}
* {{Citation |title=Impressions of Current Models: The 98 c.c. o.h.v. Sport Ducati -- A Connoisseur's Machine in the Ultra-Light Category |page=150 | publisher=MotorCycling |date=22 November 1956}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
* [http://www.ducati.com/history/60s/ducati_98/index.do Ducati 98] at Ducati.com Heritage.


[[Category:Standard motorcycles]]
[[Category:Single-cylinder motorcycles]]

{{Sourceattribution|Ducati 98}}