Ducati L-twin engine

The Ducati L-twin is a naturally aspirated two-cylinder petrol engine made by Ducati, with a ninety degree layout and a 270 degree firing order. The V of the cylinders is tilted forward so that the front cylinder sits nearly horizontal, which gives the L-twin its name. Fabio Taglioni made the first sketches for the new Ducati V-twin on 20 March 1970, a running motor existed by July and a complete prototype motorcycle by August 1970, and the first 750 GT production models left the factory in June 1971. Early engines drove their overhead camshafts through bevel gear shafts, and in the 1980s these gave way to belt-driven camshaft engines that continue in air-cooled and liquid-cooled form. Ducati also built five 500 cc racing V-twins in 1971 and eight 750 cc bikes for the 1972 Imola 200 Mile race, and multivalve versions have existed since 1987.