Ducati Road 250
{{Short description|SOHC motorcycle made by MotoTrans under licence from Ducati}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox motorcycle
| name = Ducati Road 250
| image = Ducati Mototrans 250 Road 2012 416.jpeg
| alt =
| caption = Ducati Road 250
| aka =
| manufacturer = Ducati/MotoTrans
| parent_company =
| production = 1972-1977
| assembly =
| predecessor =
| successor = Ducati Strada
| class = Standard
| engine = Air-cooled bevel drive SOHC single cylinder four stroke
| bore_stroke = {{convert|69|x|66|mm|abbr=on}}
| compression = 10:1
| top_speed = {{convert|125|kph|abbr=on}}
| power = {{convert|25|bhp|abbr=on}} @ 9,000 rpm
| torque =
| ignition =
| transmission = Multiplate wet clutch, 5 speed
| frame = Single cradle
| suspension = Front: telescopic forks
Rear: swinging arm
| brakes = Drum front & rear
| tires = Front: 325x18
Rear: 400x18
| rake_trail =
| wheelbase = {{convert|1320|mm|abbr=on}}
| length =
| width =
| height =
| seat_height =
| dry_weight = {{convert|122|kg|abbr=on}}
| wet_weight =
| fuel_capacity = {{convert|9|L|abbr=on}}
| oil_capacity =
| fuel_consumption =
| turning_radius =
| range =
| related =
| sp = uk
| footnotes = {{sfn|Mototrans Modelos}}{{sfn|Svenson|2013}}{{sfn|Motociclismo|1977|p=26}}{{sfn|Solo Moto|1977|p=43}}
}}
The Ducati Road 250 is a {{convert|247|cc|abbr=on}} single cylinder bevel drive SOHC motorcycle produced by the Spanish manufacturer MotoTrans, who were licensed by Ducati to produce motorcycles under the Ducati brand name and was produced from 1972 to 1977.{{sfn|Motos Clásicas}} The model was intended to be a Spanish domestic market{{sfn|Svenson|2013}} version of the 250 Scrambler,{{sfn|Mototrans}}{{sfn|Font|2009}} although it was also exported to the US in 1972/3.{{sfn|Walker|2002|p=51}}
History
In post-Civil War Spain, the Franco regime banned the import of motorcycles{{sfn|Cloesen|2014|p=52}} and also forbade foreign nationals from settling in Spain, or stating a business there.{{sfn|Svenson|2013b}} MotoTrans was set up to manufacture Ducati motorcycles under licence in Barcelona in 1957.{{sfn|Walker|2002|p=51}}{{sfn|Herreros|Aznar|1998|pp=88-90}}
The Road was introduced in 1972 as a Spanish version of the 250 Scrambler.{{sfn|Mototrans}}{{sfn|Font|2009}} However, the model used the longer stroke 'narrow case' engine of the 24 Horas rather than the 'wide case' engine of the Scrambler.{{sfn|Mototrans Modelos}} A locally built Amal carburettor and Spanish Telesco front forks were fitted.{{sfn|Walker|2002|p=51}} The bike was finished in Black with a metallic burnt orange tank and mudguards and chrome headlight.{{sfn|Mototrans Modelos}}
The American Ducati importers, Berliner Motor Corporation, were in dispute with the Italian factory over pricing from 1971 to '73 and chose to import from MotoTrans instead during this period. Amongst the models imported in '72 - '73 was the Road 250.{{sfn|Walker|2002|p=51}}{{sfn|Falloon|2016a|p=239}}{{sfn|Falloon|2016b|p=114}}
=Road 250 77=
An updated version, the Road 250 77, was introduced in 1977. Electrics were uprated to 12 volts and stainless steel mudguards were fitted.{{sfn|Mototrans Modelos}} The instrument panel from the 500 twins were also fitted.{{sfn|Motociclismo|1977|p=27}}
Technical details
=Engine and transmission=
The single cylinder bevel drive OHC engine was of unit construction and had an alloy head and alloy barrel with cast iron liners.{{sfn|Motociclismo|1977|pp=24-27}} Bore and stroke were {{convert|69|x|66|mm|abbr=on}} giving a displacement of {{convert|247|cc|abbr=on}}. A 10:1 piston was fitted. Claimed power output was {{convert|25|bhp|abbr=on}} @ 9,000 rpm, giving the machine a top speed of {{convert|125|kph|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Mototrans Modelos}}
Fuel was delivered by a Spanish made Amal Monobloc 375/27 carburettor.{{sfn|Mototrans Modelos}} This was later updated to a Concentric.{{sfn|Motociclismo|1977|p=26}} The engine used wet sump lubrication and ignition was by battery and coil.{{sfn|Mototrans Modelos}}
Primary drive was by gears to a multi-plate wet clutch and 5 speed gearbox. Chain drive took power to the rear wheel.{{sfn|Mototrans Modelos}}
=Cycle parts=
The single cradle frame used the engine as a stressed member. Rear suspension was by swinging arm with twin adjustable shock absorbers. At the front telescopic forks were fitted. Brakes were drums, the front being {{convert|180|mm|abbr=on}} diameter and the rear {{convert|160|mm|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Mototrans Modelos}}
References
{{reflist}}
=Bibliography=
- {{cite book |last1=Cloesen |first1=Uli |title=Italian Café Racers |date=15 August 2014 |publisher=Veloce Publishing Ltd |location=Dorcester |isbn=978-1-84584-749-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0hJNBAAAQBAJ&q=mototrans&pg=PA52 |language=en}}
- {{cite book |last1=Falloon |first1=Ian |title=The Book of the Ducati Overhead Camshaft Singles |date=18 March 2016 |publisher=Veloce Publishing Ltd |location=Poundbury, Dorchester |isbn=978-1-84584-566-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=loG_CwAAQBAJ&q=ducati+monza+junior+160&pg=PA115|ref={{harvid|Falloon|2016a}} |language=en}}
- {{cite book |last1=Falloon |first1=Ian |title=The Complete Book of Ducati Motorcycles: Every Model Since 1946 |date=July 2016 |publisher=Motorbooks |location=Minneapolis, MN |isbn=978-0-7603-5022-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LWv9CwAAQBAJ&q=ducati+monza+junior+160&pg=PA84|ref={{harvid|Falloon|2016b}} |language=en}}
- {{cite web |last1=Font |first1=L |title=Motos Ducati españolas, las Ducati Mototrans |url=http://www.moto22.com/clasicas/motos-ducati-espanolas-las-ducati-mototrans |website=www.moto22.com |publisher=Spanish Ducati motorcycles, the Ducati Mototrans |access-date=21 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213142044/http://www.moto22.com/clasicas/motos-ducati-espanolas-las-ducati-mototrans |archive-date=13 February 2010 |language=es |date=14 May 2009}}
- {{cite book |last1=Herreros |first1=Francisco |last2=Aznar |first2=José Luis |title=Historia del motociclismo en España |date=1998 |publisher=RACC Club |trans-title=A: History of motorcycling in Spain |isbn=978-84-920886-5-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sEhmAAAACAAJ&q=Historia+del+motociclismo+en+Espa%C3%B1a |language=es |chapter=1945: Cataluña}}
- {{cite web |last1=Svenson |first1=Enrique |title=Club de Motos Antiguas Granada - Ducati |url=https://motosantiguasgranada.es.tl/Ducati.htm |website=motosantiguasgranada.es.tl |access-date=7 November 2021 |language=es |date=2013}}
- {{cite web |last1=Svenson |first1=Enrique |title=Club de Motos Antiguas Granada - MV Agusta |url=https://motosantiguasgranada.es.tl/MV-Agusta.htm |website=motosantiguasgranada.es.tl |access-date=7 November 2021|ref={{harvid|Svenson|2013b}} |language=es |date=2013}}
- {{cite book |last1=Walker |first1=Mick |title=Illustrated Ducati Buyer's Guide |date=2002 |publisher=MotorBooks International |isbn=978-1-61059-045-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PJ8ht7O8ccQC&q=mototrans&pg=PA51 |language=en}}
- {{cite web |title=Ducati Road 250 |url=https://www.motosclasicas80.com/reportajes/167-ducati/road-250/165-ducati-road-250.html |website=www.motosclasicas80.com |access-date=9 November 2021 |ref={{harvid|Motos Clásicas}} |language=es}}
- {{cite magazine |title=Ducati Road 250-'77 |magazine=Motociclismo |date=1977 |url=https://www.motosclasicas80.com/images/pdf/Ducati_Road_250_Motociclismo_536_1977.pdf |ref={{harvid|Motociclismo|1977}} |via=www.motosclasicas80.com |language=es|pages=24–27}}
- {{cite journal |title=Ensayo Ducati Road 77 |journal=Solo Moto |date=November 1977 |pages=38–43 |url=https://www.motosclasicas80.com/images/pdf/Ducati_Road_250_Solo_Moto_116_nov_1977.pdf |ref={{harvid|Solo Moto|1977}} |publisher=www.motosclasicas80.com |language=es}}
- {{cite web |title=La historia de Ducati Mototrans, Ducati Clásica |url=http://perso.wanadoo.es/kombo/historia.htm#trans |website=Mototrans |trans-title=The history of Ducati Mototrans, Classic Ducati |access-date=21 October 2021|ref={{harvid|Mototrans}} |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100812080907/http://perso.wanadoo.es/kombo/historia.htm#trans |archive-date=12 August 2010 |language=es}}
- {{cite web |title=Modelos Road 250 (and 350) |url=http://perso.wanadoo.es/kombo/modelos_road.htm |website=Mototrans |access-date=8 November 2021 |ref={{harvid|Mototrans Modelos}} |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130224080847/http://perso.wanadoo.es/kombo/modelos_road.htm |archive-date=24 February 2013}}