Ducati 125TV Testone

Make Model	Ducati 125 TV Testone
Year	1962 - 68
Engine	Four stroke, single-cylinder, OHC, bevel gear driven
Capacity	124.4 cc / 7.6 cu in
Bore x Stroke	55.2 x 52 mm
Compression Ratio	7.0:1
Cooling System	Air cooled
Lubrication System	Forced oil sump
Induction	Dell'Orto UB18BS or ME18BS carburetor
Ignition	Battery and coil, 6V 40W generator
Spark Plug	Marelli CW225A
Battery	SAFA 3L3, 13.5 Ah
Starting	Kick
Max Power	4.8 kW / 6.5 hp @ 6500 rpm
Transmission	4 Speed
Gear Ratios	1st 2.69 / 2nd 1.85 / 3rd 1.36 / 4th 1.00:1
Clutch	Wet, multi-plate
Final Drive	Chain
Frame	Twin tubular downpipe cradle
Front Suspension	Hydraulically damped telescopic forks, Marzocci
Rear Suspension	Swingarm, dual shocks, 3-way adjustable
Front Brakes	Drum, 123 mm
Rear Brakes	Drum, 123 mm
Front Tyre	2.75 - 16
Rear Tyre	2.75 - 16
Seat Height	790 mm / 31.1 in

This is the Ducati 125 TV ’Testone, a bike that first broke into the motorcycle scene back in 1961 as part of Ducati’s line of 125 cc bikes. Despite introducing a more powerful range of 175 cc SOHC bikes four years earlier in 1957, the 1961 TV ’Testone’ still carried the 125cc powertrain until 1968.

The Ducati 125 T (Turismo) and 125 TV (Turismo Veloce) were single cylinder, four-stroke OHV motorcycles built by Ducati from 1956 to 1960, featuring a double downtube full cradle steel frame and full-width drum brakes.

Ducati's success in the year these models were released, selling over 10,000 units in 1956 (a 3.5% market share), would be unmatched until 1992

The 1961 125 TV ’Testone’ is the very definition of the word. In addition to its impressive powertrain, which produced an output of 6.5 horsepower, the bike also carried some significant styling cues other Ducati bikes, particularly those that carried Taglioni’s revolutionary sporting designs.

Ducati 125 TV Testone