Ducati: The History Of The Marque
The Ducati Motor Holding Company is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer based in Bologna and was founded in 1926 by 3 brothers; Bruno Cavalieri Ducati, Adriano Ducati and Marcello Ducati.
Ducati started its life producing low-powered, bicycle-styled motorcycles but in the 1960s gained a certain notoriety by producing the then world's fastest 250cc bike available; the Mach 1.
But it was during the 1970s that it began producing the legendary 90º V-Twin that it is perhaps best known for. In 1973 it introduced the desmodromic valve design. Modern Ducatis owe their position in the market (and on the race track) in no small part to the Desmodromic valve system.
Desmodromic valves are closed with a separate, dedicated cam lobe and lifter instead of the conventional valve springs utilised by other manufacturers. This allows the cams to open and close much more quickly.
In 1985 Ducati entered an all-time low when it was purchased by Cagiva; who originally planned to re-badge the Ducati range with the Cagiva name (bordering on sacrilege if you ask me!). Fortunately this never happened and in 1996 the company was purchased by Texas Pacific Group who gave the company its current name; Ducati Motor Holding SpA.
By the end of 2005 Ducati had finally returned to Italian ownership when it was purchased by the Carlo and Andrea Bonomi investment fund.