When Fabio Taglioni designed his 100cc Gran Sport Marianna back in 1954, it was unlikely he expected this engine to have such a long and lingering influence on Ducati design. Over the next 20 years, the single was developed into myriad different types, in capacities up to 436cc, and was the first production engine to utilise desmodromic valves. Incorporating features that continue to this day, the overhead camshaft single would become one of the most important designs in Ducati history.

Years of research have resulted in The Book of Ducati Overhead Camshaft Singles – the first book to document in detail all the types of Ducati overhead valve singles, making this book an invaluable resource to the collector, restorer, and enthusiasts of these magnificent motorcycles.

Author Ian Falloon is one of the world’s leading motorcycle historians. He has written numerous motorcycle books, including the The Ducati 750 Bible, Ducati 900 Bible, Ducati Story, Moto Guzzi Story, Honda Story, and Laverda Twin and Triple Bible. He has a small collection of classic sporting motorcycles, including a Ducati 750 Super Sport, which he has owned since 1976.

Ian Falloon was born in New Zealand and studied engineering and music at Victoria University, Wellington. After a motorcycle accident brought an end to his career as a symphony orchestra oboist, he began writing articles about motorcycles for magazines including Classic Bike, Cycle World, Motorcyclist, Two Wheels, Motorcycle Sport, and Australian Motorcycle News. His first book, The Ducati Story, has run to several editions and has been published in three languages. The success of The Ducati Story led to a series of Ducati books and histories of Honda, Kawasaki, BMW, and Moto Guzzi motorcycles including Motorbooks titles The Complete Book of Ducati, The Complete Book of Moto Guzzi, The Complete Book of Triumph Motorcycles, and The Art of Ducati. With an interest and passion spanning decades, Ian now concentrates on collecting and restoring older Italian motorcycles, particularly Ducati, MV Agusta, Laverda, and Moto Guzzi. He lives in Melbourne, Australia, and is ably supported in his projects by his family.