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Ducati won't be competing this year in SX or outdoor. The entries are locked and contracts done for '25.
They're just starting their big marketing push before joining in the 2026 season. The change of bike makes sense since GasGas will likely be bailing out after their contact ends this season thanks to the financial debacle at PMG/KTM and Ducati wants an in to the US MX market.
And the best part is they won't even need to change their team color!

Ducati will be parading around their new 450Desmo MX throughout the season. Paolo Ciabatti was there today to help Troy with the reveal:



They'll even have it on display at the MotoGP event in Austin.
And you'll be able to buy a 450Desmo MX in the US in July

The eBay listing states "with inner coating". Can you confirm that's the case? If true, I wonder what they used and how durable it will be?

The tank is larger because I believe it's modeled on the Oceania/EU 400 tank, which is slightly larger capacity than the US version.  16.5 L vs. 13 L
In my book that's a great update!

A "major announcement" is coming from the TLD team today. Wonder what it could be?

(Spotted at A1 yesterday)

I have a couple of these in my bikes. I've been using alarm batteries since the old days when we used to get them from Radio Shack. Just change your lead connectors to F1 terminals or make adapter pigtails.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079ZCJYP3

I asked this awhile ago too. My understanding is the 1974 RD350 has the preferred 7 plate clutch but 1973 does not. Not certain but I don't think 1975 does either. Longtime former Yamaha dealership mechanic told me the 1974 is the best of the 3 years and clutch was 1st reason given. YMMV

The clutch assembly was updated mid-year in 1973, so not all '73s got the 6-plate. And there should be no difference between a '74 and a '75 as they used the exact same parts.
Details in Tech Bulletin No 312:

Well, it looks like I'll have to set March 29th on my calendar!  WADE?

 

SX starts this weekend at A1

On the K2tec pipe description (https://www.moto-works.jp/k2tec/rd400.html) this caught my eye:
   Carburetor jetting is not needed for street use.
   For use in racetrack, where prolonged high rev situation is necessary, increasing main jet setting is recommended.
Seems a little odd that a "performance pipe" would not require a jetting change.

I do like these though:

Any significance to that 

No. The "36-011400-00-00" is simply a formatting error. Many of the old parts lists somehow were mis-formatted over time so the dashes in some part numbers are shifted. You will find that these part numbers are usually labeled 'UNAVAILABLE IN PRICE BOOK' as a result.
For example, the crank in my 350A digital parts book shows up as: ¢36-01140-00-00  UNAVAILABLE IN PRICE BOOK

Correct formatting for a general part is 000-00000-00-00
The first 3 digits is the model family
the next 5 digits is the basic code which is made up of: first digit is bike section, second & third are the location, and fourth & fifth are the part number.  So, for example, a crank assembly will always be -11400
the next 2 digits is the design code number (the first one is the version, the second is the revision number)
the last 2 digits is the color code or material finish

Jemco
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=951046716819371&id=100057421540274
Build to order.

Quite a few places in Japan making pipes still also.

Didn't know Jemco was still making pipes following Jon Easton's retirement. Good to know

There's some Moto Carreras on eBay right now. 1500.00

yes.. yes there is... 

 

Wow...NOS and free shipping? 1500 is still pretty steep.

I received an offer from the seller for $500 off

That Ducati is making me a bit    

Which one? I'm assuming the old custom bevel. Sounded pretty good when he fired it up to leave.

That 698 Mono is the first one I've seen in the wild that wasn't a press bike or vip loaner. Pretty cool

 

Only a couple days away