Bimota DB1

Bimota DB1

Manufacturer	Bimota
Production	1985 - 1990, 689 produced[1][2]
Predecessor	Cagiva/Ducati 650 cc, Prototype
Successor	DB2
Class	Sport/Race
Engine	750 cc Ducati 90° V-twin[3][4]
Power	DB1J 400 cc: 42 hp, DB1: 62 hp, DB1S: 72 hp, DB1SR: 82 hp, DB1R: 92 hp[5]
Transmission	5-Speed Manual
Frame type	Chrome-Molybdenum Steel[6]
Suspension	Marzocchi M1R Forks, Marzocchi Rear Shock
Brakes	Brembo, Goldline, Full Floating Cast Iron Front Rotors[7]
Tires	Pirelli 16" 130/60 in FRONT and 160/60 in REAR [8]
Rake, trail	25° (DB1R 29°),[9] 105 mm[10]
Wheelbase	54.5"[11]
Weight	355 lb. (DB1R 295 lb.) (dry)

The Bimota DB1 was a motorcycle manufactured by Bimota between 1985 and 1990 in Rimini, Italy. Originally commissioned by Cagiva, the DB1 was designed by Bimota's Technical Director, and ex-Ducati engineer, Dr. Frederico Martini, and it saved Bimota from almost certain bankruptcy. DB1 stands for Ducati Bimota One, i.e. the first Bimota powered by a Ducati engine compared to, say, the SB3 - Suzuki, Bimota, third design.^[12][13]

Bimota DB1

Features[]

Being the first all-Italian Bimota it came with a 750 cc Ducati 90° V-twin engine with Desmodromic valve-train in different levels of tune and styling. The frame is made of Chrome-Molybdenum steel tubing and uses a Triangulated Upper Space Frame or "Birdcage" design. The engine is a stressed member and the swingarm pivots in engine's crankcase. The DB1s triple-trees, clip-ons, rear-sets and several other bits are made of lightweight, hot stamped and billet Avional 14 aluminum. The Cagiva/Bimota/Ducati/DB1 prototype morphed into the Ducati Paso ironically^{[clarification needed]} designed by Bimota co-founder Massimo Tamburini.^[14][15][16]

Models[]

DB1[]

Several DB1 models were produced. The standard DB1 has 36 mm carburetors, a restrictive airbox and a quiet 2-into-2 exhaust. It was made between 1985 and 1986 ^[17] and while not powerful it is extremely refined.^[18]

DB1J[]

A 400 cc version of the DB1, for the Japanese market, was produced between 1986 and 1987.^[19]

DB1S[]

The DB1S is a slightly higher performance version of the 750 cc DB1 with 40 mm carburetors and freer 2-into-2 exhaust and was made between 1986 and 1987. Both the DB1 and the DB1S needed to be re-jetted upon delivery to run properly and make proper horsepower for the design.^[20][21][22]

DB1SR[]

The DB1SR is an even higher performance version with 4-piston front calipers, 41 mm carburetors, freer 2-into-1 exhaust and more radical cam shafts and was made between 1987 and 1989. Confusingly, most DB1SRs are labeled "DB1RS" on the fairing and some are styled differently with a rear red number plates and correctly labeled "DB1SR". The DB1SR can be compared to Ducati's Laguna Seca/Montjuich/Santa Monica models, upgraded 750 F1s.^[23][24]

The DB1SR was successfully raced in Italy by Tiziano Bombardi, winning the 1987 Italian Sport Production Twins Championship, finishing on top of the podium in 8 of the 9 races, with one second-place finish.^[25]

DB1SR Serie Finale[]

The DB1SR Serie Finale is similar in performance and style to the DB1SR yet with a green stripe and a silver plaque on the right side of the swingarm. These bikes were assembled in 1990 using the last 7 DB1 frames at the request of the Bimota Club USA President upon visiting the Bimota Factory. Three went to the US, at least one went to Japan, at least one went to France.^[26]

DB1R[]

The DB1R is a Factory Corsa (race), or Works, bike made between 1985 and 1986. These bikes have many enhancements including several parts made of magnesium, different triple-trees (29° vs. 25°, identical trail at 105 mm), high performance engine internals, higher rear-sets, 42 mm carburetors, open 2-into-1 exhaust and no lights with the oil cooler in the nose of the fairing. DB1R frames don't have the three fuel cell mounts, the two steering stop mounts or the keyed steering lock (like the DB1/DB1S/DB1SR/DB1SR Serie Finale strada (street) frames). The aluminum fuel cell is made into the bodywork and can be identified by the upper vent hose.^[27]

Production[]

The DB1 production was as follows:^{[28][29][30][31]}

Individual examples[]

List of Bimota DB1Rs:^{[32][33] [34]}

1. 1985, aluminum rear subframe, right-side shift, raced by Davide Tardozzi^[35]
2. 1986, #00200, raced by Malcolme Tunstall at Daytona in 1986 & 1987, won the 1987 US Formula 2 Expert Championship, to MS, sold, for sale in 2022.^[36]
3. 1985, #00201, frame-only Kit, ex-Bimota dealer in Florida to GR, NY, to AC, now a street bike in California.
4. 1985, #00203, engine DM650L612149, raced in 1985 Bol d'Or in France by Davide Tardozzi, Matteoni & Rossi, raced in 1985 & 1986 TT F1 World Championship by Davide Tardozzi, raced in 1986 & 1987 AMA ProTwins Championship by Alan Cathcart, now in Italy.
5. 1985, #00204, Bimota Classic Parts, Italy.
6. 1985, #00210, raced by Dale Quarterley in 1986 winning at Laguna Seca, raced by Johnny Virgadamo, to GR, to BH in Canada
7. 1985, #00212, engine DM750L7502269 raced by Oscar Laferla, still in Italy.
8. 1985, #00214, engine DM560L612034, raced by Davide Tardozzi, to Gonzo in Japan, sold.
9. 1986, #00700, raced by Davide Tardozzi at Daytona in 1986, raced in 1989 & 1990 by AMA racer , frame destroyed in crash/fire in the infield of Daytona in 1990, currently re-assembled and restored using a replacement frame DB1*00700* and new factory bodywork sourced at the time of the crash and the original factory built race engine restored by Fast by Ferracci, now in the in North Carolina.
10. 1986, prepared by Ian Gowanloch, raced by in Australia and at Daytona in the Battle of the Twins race in 1987 & 1988, still in Australia
11. 1985, #00541, unassembled/complete Kit with NCR racing engine, once part of the Francesco Romanelli Collection, now part of the Musee L'Epopee de la Moto collection.^[37] sold

DB1Rs were also raced by Pirovano, Berti and Vitali.

References[]

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bimota DB1.