The engine is a humble 60cc pullrod four-stroke single that produces 2.25 hp. The features that made this humble Ducati very popular were its lightweight character of 99 pounds and impressive mileage.

Wright Aeronautical originally designed the Wright R-975 Whirlwind, which was a series of nine-cylinder, 975-cubic-inch radial aircraft engines, all manufactured between 1929 and the 1950s.