The new Ducati Paul Smart 1000 L.E. is inspired by the 1974 Super Sport
750 and is a tribute to the 750 "Imola" bike that the English racer Paul
Smart took to victory in the 1972 Imola 200.
On a cloudy day in April 1972, Paul Smart of Kent, England, tested the
new Taglioni designed race bike. It was a momentous event in motorcycling
history. On that day, Smart rode a new untested Ducati 750 twin to a
historic surprise victory at the Imola 200, beating all comers. In the same
race the Italian racer Bruno Spaggiari, also riding a Ducati 750, crossed
the finish line in second place for a Ducati sweep of the event. Inspired by
these results, Engineer Taglioni decided to introduce production motorcycles
with the styling and the latest technological solutions of the 750 "Imola".
It was the beginning of the modern Ducati racing era and the emergence of
the big-bore twin, sport bike dynasty. Descendants of that historic race
bike led the way to the production 750SS, Hailwood's Isle of Man winning
900SS, contemporary SuperSports and eventually the Superbikes of today.
The 1974 Super Sport 750 is clearly the crown jewel of any classic
motorcycle collection.
Often referred to as the original Superbike, it was the first Ducati to
combine all the performance of Smart's race bike with a new elegant and
trend setting design. The bike boasted beautifully styled components like
the "round case" Bevel Drive twin engine, equipped for the first time with
Engineer Fabio Taglioni's Desmodromic valve actuation system. The
development of the Ducati Desmodromic system started in the late 50's and
continues to EVOlve to this day. Every street and racing engine Ducati
produces still utilizes the Desmodtromic system; it remains a significant
factor in Ducati's performance advantage. The SuperSport 750 boasted an
elegantly styled fairing and bodywork painted in the now famous Metallic
Silver colour, complimented by a frame painted in Sea Green. Viewed from any
angle the bike always seems in harmony with itself and its street
environment. In its day it was "the" ultimate sport bike.
After more than thirty years Ducati reintroduces the same essential lines
that represent the very essence and pinnacle of beauty in the renaissance of
sport motorcycles.
The new Ducati Paul Smart 1000 Limited Edition features unmistakeable
styling, accentuated by the rounded lines of the fairing and fuel tank. The
new exhaust system, in black chromed and sanded stainless steel, has
distinctive stacked twin silencers positioned on the right-hand side of the
bike.
The unique steel tube swingarm is characterized by an elliptical "GP" style
right leg, which accommodates the placement of the new exhaust system.
The advanced air-cooled Desmo 1000 DS engine delivers the perfect balance of
torque and horsepower performance.
The exclusive character of the Paul Smart 1000 Limited Edition, of which
only 2000 will be produced, is underlined by the use of top-level
fully-adjustable Öhlins suspension and by the Metallic Silver fairing and
Sea Green frame colours, as on the 1974 Super Sport 750.
Ducati's first big sportbikes - the superbikes of their era - date back to
the early 1970's. They raced and they won; they were the joy of the most
sport-oriented and fanatical riders, and now they are sought-after
collectors' items. Now, as then, they are seen as fine examples of style and
performance, but above all, they are magnificent motorcycles to look at and
to ride.
These bikes were made with the heart and the head, so they were minimalist
machines with few frills but plenty of thrills to ride.
It was an era when every detail and each component was as important as the
overall impression of the complete motorcycle. From the lustre of an engine
case to the shape of a valve cover, from the elegant routing of a fuel line
to the graphic treatment of the livery, every element was important in its
individual form and in harmony with the total finished creation. These were
motorcycles to race, motorcycles to ride, motorcycles to inspire. They were
the awesome sport motorcycles that built the art and culture of Italian
motorcycling.
The 1970's was a period when manufacturers were pouring-out a seemingly
endless string of new models. One or two became classics; most went through
life unnoticed, and then were forgotten; but no-one ever forgot the gorgeous
Ducati big bore race bikes or their road-going counter parts which fuelled
the fantasies of a whole generation.
This style of bike, a concept of essential purposeful design was an idea
that never really died; it just lay dormant, biding its time until the
moment was ripe to rise again. An essential, racing twin-cylinder, with
lines designed more by the hand of a man than the click of a mouse;
mechanical details boldly in view, harmonious shapes and only the best
componentry: let's face it, they are things of beauty. An agile, lightweight
bike as advanced as this is a joy to ride, especially if it has got a
vibrant, pulsating engine like the twin-cylinder Ducati Desmo.
The recipe couldn't be simpler. Or could it? It takes a deep-rooted pedigree
and the aptitude for designing bikes for people who really love them, but
then that's all in the Ducati "DNA".
The unique new family of Ducati SportClassics is the premier example on the
world stage of "vintage" styled motorcycles built with the best of modern
technology and components. Bikes built in Italy, bikes built with soul, to
be as seductive as their ancestors of the wild 70's, but to be as fun to
ride quickly and reliable as a modern bike must.
Timeless beauty is the result, and obsessive attention to detail. But then
what do you expect? Ducati SportClassics are real motorcycles for real
bikers. But above all, they are real Ducati motorcycles!
DUCATI
SPORTCLASSIC
If ever there was a motorcycle manufacturer capable of turning dreams
into reality, it's Ducati.
At the end of 2003, Ducati previewed three new concept bikes at the Tokyo
Motor Show, which embodied the beauty, timeless style and sporting heritage
of the Ducati motorcycles of the 1970's. Now, just two years later, the
three bikes are coming off the production lines in Bologna; three
unprecedented creations that make up a complete family of "classically
styled" sport motorcycles, called the Ducati SportClassic family: the Paul
Smart 1000 Limited Edition, the Sport 1000 and the GT 1000 (due in Spring
2006).
The new SportClassic family reflects the styling of the motorcycles built
in Ducati's workshops in the 1970's, characterised by a minimalist, racing
look, with exposed chassis and engines, complimented by bodywork with
elegant rounded shapes.
To emphasis the unique style and performance origins of the three
SportClassics, Ducati has used top-level components styled with original
form and finishes, featuring chrome and polished aluminium that provide the
final touch, personalise the range and EVOke the lines of the bikes from
which they're inspired. New colours and new colour combinations emphasize
the original lines of the design.
Even though they reflect the best of the past, they incorporate the
latest Ducati technology and engineering, creating a thoroughly modern
motorcycle that lives-up to today's standards of road-going performance.
The Paul Smart L.E., Sport and GT are all powered by the advanced 1000 DS
Desmo engine. The torquey air-cooled 90° L-Twin is the perfect match to
power these new sport bikes. Slim between the legs and exposed for all to
see, the latest two valve Desmo system, fuel-injection and computer
controlled engine management ensure that the 1000 DS engine is powerful,
dependable and thrilling to ride. Of course, these bikes take advantage of
the Ducati tubular Trellis frame that perfectly enhances the beauty of the
SportClassics, while delivering confident handling and consistent road
manners.
With bikes that are as capable as the SportClassics, great brakes are
fundamental. High quality Brembo callipers with sintered pads are used,
gripping huge 320mm discs up front for strong and consistent stopping power.
The Ducati SportClassics feature distinguishing exclusive components such
as beautiful wire spoke wheels laced with alloy rims, black-finish race
inspired exhaust systems, unique new swingarms, rear suspension featuring
side-mounted shocks, and exposed engine parts with chromed or black painted
finishes.
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