Ducati Desmosedici D16 GP4 2004

After the Ducati Marlboro Team’s successful debut in the MotorGP World Championship the previous year, with riders Loris Capirossi, Troy Bayliss, and test rider Vittoriano Guareschi, Ducati returned in 2004 with this new, improved version of the stunning Desmosedici machine.
The Italian factory had built an instantly competitive four-stroke machine in 2003 thanks to their years of success in the World Superbike series. Remarkably for just a single year of development, this 2004 version of the machine known as the D16 GP4, had had more than 60% of its 915 individual components totally overhauled (thereby making them non-interchangeable with the previous year’s model).

Ducati Corse Technical Director, Filippo Preziosi, commented at the time that the ‘experience gained in designing the GP3 was fundamental for the creation of the GP4 [and] while remaining faithful to the basic philosophy [he expected] that the all round competitiveness of the Desmosedici would be much improved’.

- Engine: liquid-cooled, 90 degree V4 four-stroke, desmodromic DOHC, four valves per cylinder
- Capacity: 989cc ; Maximum power: 169kW/230+ HP 16500rpm ; Maximum torque: approx. 100Nm/10.2kgm 14000rpm ; Maximum speed: in excess of 330 kph/205 mph ; Dry weight: 148kg
- Transmission: Six-speed cassette-type gearbox, with alternative gear ratios available. Dry multiplate slipper clutch. Chain final drive. Carburation: Indirect Magneti Marelli electronic injection, four throttle bodies with injectors above butterfly valves.
- Fuel: Shell Racing V-Power ; Lubricant: Shell Advance Ultra 4 ; Ignition: Magneti Marelli ; Exhaust: Termignoni, two x two-into-one system
- Frame: Tubular steel trellis-style chassis, pressed aluminium swing-arm. ; Suspension: Öhlins upside-down 42mm front forks and Öhlins rear shock absorber, adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping.
- Tyres: Michelin, 17” or 16.5” front, 16.5” rear. ; Brakes: Brembo, two 320mm carbon front discs with four-piston callipers. Single stainless steel rear disc with two-piston calliper.

Bike displayed courtesy of Club member, Barrie Baxter from Monday 26 March to Monday (Bank Holiday) 2 April 2018.

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Norton ES2 500cc Single with Watsonian Side Car 1961
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First produced in 1927, the ES2 was the mainstay of the RAC patrol service. It was a long stroke single engine originally launched as a sports motorcycle. The ES2 proved popular with the RAC due to its reliability and ease of maintenance. The Club’s 1961 motorcycle features telescopic front forks, swinging arm rear suspension and the famed featherbed frame coupled to a fiberglass sidecar, which was phased out in 1960s with the arrival of the mini-van. It had a capacity of 490cc and 25bhp. The last Norton ES2 was produced in 1964.

Car displayed courtesy of Club member, Richard Postins, from Monday 26 to Sunday 25 March 2018.