Specifications: 497 cc SOHC twin, five speeds.

Ducati’s 350-cc and 500-cc vertical twins were launched in 1975 without any participation from Taglioni. They shared the design cues of the 860GT, which was not selling well, and combined those with performance from their valve-sprung engines. Fortunately, alarm bells were heard in Bologna, and the 500 Sport Desmo appeared with a twin down tube frame and Desmo heads. At last, performance was what was expected. The brakes and handling were good, and there was even a racing version in 1977, the 500 Super Sport. In the UK, red/white and blue/white 500 Sport Desmos cost the same as an 860GT. The 500 Sport on offer is red and white and in sound original condition, with a Conti exhaust.