A "different" Ducati.

[Jacks the Lad]

"Different" that is to the normal machines discussed here, a Ducati Cucciolo 48cc 4 stroke
This machine acquired as a bare engine lacking all of it’s ancillaries, peddling gear, exhaust system, carburetor etc. is seen here built into a Raleigh bicycle. All of the missing parts having been fabricated where originals could not be found which was just about all of them. Even the carburetor – which needed an inlet made to fit it was from some other machine. The bicycle’s rear wheel was also replaced by a fixed wheel hub built into a new rim, replacing the original three-speed Sturmey Archer gear. A devise these engines have reputation of destroying in short order.
Unusual amongst cycle-motors being a 4 stroke engine, having two gears and with the valves being operated by “pull rods”
Acquired by the present owner February 2020 as “COVID-19” lock-down project.





Here it is built into a Raleigh bicycle.

[Bevel bob]

beautifull, I want one. The ideal replacement for my 150mph superbike.

[Jordan]

That looks a fine autocycle, with period appropriate headlamp etc.

[Jordan]

Here's mine, the engine found on ebay.
I wanted front suspension so looked for an MTB bike with the correct front frame tube diameter, for clamping the engine to.
That took some finding, but eventually one turned up on a rubbish pile.
I like the mini "BSA Gold Star" muffler the engne came with.

MyM55.jpg

[JimF]

That little 49cc engine launched a small electronics firm into a premier high performance motorcycle manufacturing firm.

Therein lies the beauty of that clip-on engine for me: it was an unassuming seed that spawned the most beautiful motorcycles ever designed.

[Jacks the Lad]

"I wanted front suspension"
Jordan, your Cucciolo looks as though it could be a lot of fun, you might however find it difficult to register it in a modern frame. At one time cycle-motors were registered on the engine number alone but no longer, the DVLA now demand the frame details and number as well. i.e. the bike must appropriate to the age of the engine.

[Jordan]

You have a point.
If I wanted to register it, I'd be putting it in an older style frame.
Mind you, Ducati made a complete Cucciolo-engined machine, which frame looks not unlike a modern MTB complete with rear suspension.

[LaceyDucati]

Nice to see some Cucciolos, I've had one for years, it was completely worn out, I've done all the engineering repairs and obtained pretty much all the parts needed. "One day" I will hopefully finish it and put it in a suitable frame. I have a Log book relevant to the engine (newer blue one), the bicycle it was fitted to was I think a New Hudson.
Nigel

[Ducadini]

The ideal replacement for my 150mph superbike.

I bought a Cucciolo T0 in pieces (in a old drawer) early eighties.
Put it back together, drilled some holes in it to show inner spinnings and presented it as my endwork for eveningclass.
The T0 differs in that it has NO clutch, NO gears (except for the cam), and a cam with 1 lobe on which work to strange rockerarms to pull the valves open.
They were no success, because of the rather difficult starting and stopping (decompress etc etc) and haven't seen another yet.
Parts are still around but anyone who has gone to Imola or Reggio can support my statement : there are a lot of parts that look "nearly identical" but are not.
Some specialists are still alive, but given the (health)crisis in Italy, I suspect a lot of knowledge is disappearing.
The minibike is NOT mine, just saw it in Holland long time ago.

ciao
ducadini

[Rossguzzi]

Here is some pics of mine. I had 3 motors at one stage.
The final configuration was front usd suspension, floating disc brake , 7 speed internal rear hub, hand built frame, Max speed nearly 60 kph.
Was fun !