Ducati
Began with radio components in Bologna and made motorcycles after the war; L-twin and desmodromic valves.
The Ducati brothers founded the company in Bologna to make radio components. After the Second World War it began making a small auxiliary engine for bicycles, the Cucciolo, and then its own motorcycles.
The engineer Fabio Taglioni developed desmodromic valve operation, in which the valves are closed mechanically rather than by springs. The Monster of 1993, designed by Miguel Galluzzi, and the 916 sports bike of 1994, designed by Massimo Tamburini, became modern classics.
A tubular trellis frame, often red, and an L-shaped V-twin engine.
Frame and engine numbers stamped into the frame and crankcase.
The red colour, the steel trellis frame and the shape of the L-twin.