| MODEL | DUCATI 500SD SPORT DESMO 1979 - 1983 |
| Year | 1979 - 1983 |
| Engine Type | Four stroke, parallel twin, SOHC, chain driven, desmodromic, 2 valves per cylinder |
| Displacement / Capacity | 496.9 cc / 30.3 cu in |
| Bore X Stroke | 78 x 52 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.6:1 |
| Cooling System | Air cooled |
| Max Power | 36.8 kW / 50 hp @ 8500 rpm |
| Max Torque | — |
| Ignition | Points and coil |
| Induction | 2 x Dell'Orto PHF 30 carburettors |
| Start System | Electric |
| TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
| Lubrication | High pressure, gear pump, net and cartridge filters |
| Gear Box | 5 Speed |
| Clutch | Wet, multiplate |
| Final Drive | Chain |
| CHASSIS SPECS | |
| Frame | Tubular steel, double down tube |
| Front Suspension | 35 mm Paioli telescopic fork |
| Rear Suspension | Swingarm, 2 x Marzocchi shocks, 3-way adjustable |
| Front Brakes | 2 x 256 mm Brembo discs |
| Rear Brakes | Single 260 mm Brembo disc |
| DIMENSION SPECS | |
| Overall Length | 2050 mm / 80.7 in |
| Overall Width | 710 mm / 28.0 in |
| Overall Height | 1060 mm / 41.7 in |
| Seat Height | 760 mm / 29.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 1400 mm / 55.1 in |
| Ground Clearance | — |
| Dry Weight | 185 kg / 408 lbs |
| Wet Weight | — |
| WHEEL SPECS | |
| Front Tyre | 3.25-18 |
| Rear Tyre | 3.50-18 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 12 Litres / 3.2 US gal |
| Fuel Consumption | — |
| Top Speed | 185 km/h / 115 mph |
Ducati's half-litre sports twin, a 180-degree parallel twin with desmodromic valve gear like the 900SS and Darmah. It had clip-ons, rear-sets, a single-seat style and three Brembo discs, and drew praise for handling and braking. The desmo heads and a sharper chassis set it apart from the touring GTL and GTV; Taglioni's Pantah soon replaced it.
