While the 750 cc and 500 cc racers were very similar, the 500 had a much shorter 58 mm stroke, with the same 74 mm bore as the 750.
The 500 had the same bore and stroke as the later 500 Pantah.
It had 10.5:1 compression and initially produced 61.2 bhp at 11,000 rpm.
All Ducati's 500 cc GP engines used desmodromic two-valve heads with an 80 degree included valve angle.
They used remote float bowl Dell'Orto 40 mm carburettors, and had a six-speed gearbox with a dry, multiplate clutch.
Ignition was electronic, provided by nearby Ducati Elettrotecnica, but was initially unreliable.
Dual spark plugs were used, and the final ignition system used four coils, two on each side of the frame.

In the beginning Taglioni's Ducati chassis was used.
It had a single Lockheed front disc brake and a twin leading shoe Fontana rear drum brake.
Dry weight was 135kg (297lb) and it had 18 inch rims front and rear with 3.00 and 3.25 wheel rims.
The wheelbase was 1430mm (56.3in).

In June 1971, Phil Read tested the 500 cc bike with the Seeley frame, and pronounced it the better of the two.
The frame was then fitted to Spaggiari's bike as well.
It was raced in 1972 by Bruno Spaggiari, Ermanno Guliano and Phil Read.
While the 750 cc and 500 cc racers were very similar, the 500 had a much shorter 58 mm stroke, with the same 74 mm bore as the 750. The 500 had the same bore and stroke as the later 500 Pantah. It had 10.5:1 compression and initially produced 61.2 bhp at 11,000 rpm. All Ducati's 500 cc GP engines used desmodromic two-valve heads with an 80 degree included valve angle. They used remote float bowl Dell'Orto 40 mm carburettors, and had a six-speed gearbox with a dry, multiplate clutch. Ignition was electronic, provided by nearby Ducati Elettrotecnica, but was initially unreliable. Dual spark plugs were used, and the final ignition system used four coils, two on each side of the frame.
In the beginning Taglioni's Ducati chassis was used. It had a single Lockheed front disc brake and a twin leading shoe Fontana rear drum brake. Dry weight was 135kg (297lb) and it had 18 inch rims front and rear with 3.00 and 3.25 wheel rims. The wheelbase was 1430mm (56.3in).
In June 1971, Phil Read tested the 500 cc bike with the Seeley frame, and pronounced it the better of the two. The frame was then fitted to Spaggiari's bike as well. It was raced in 1972 by Bruno Spaggiari, Ermanno Guliano and Phil Read.
Ducati 750 Imola Desmo