1977 Harley-Davidson 1000 XLCR Cafe Racer
1977 Harley-Davidson 1000 XLCR Cafe Racer
America fights back
At the end of the Seventies, the Japanese were attacking the American market on all fronts. Starting in 1977, Harley-Davidson, the last remaining American builder, started to fight back. The Milwaukee maker had just come through a rough time and had decided to return to something the Japanese couldn’t offer bikes with legendary histories.
“Only One Man Could Have Done This!”
Alongside their huge top-of-the-range models, Harley reworked their sporting versions. Taking their best-selling Sportster – which dated back to 1957 – as a starting point, Harley developed this 1000 XLCR. It was in production for two seasons, promoted by advertisements which proclaimed: “Only one man could have done this!” That implied the XLCR was the virile creation of a hotblooded man rather than the icy and emotionless perfection of the Japanese.
Bern Obsolescent
As its name implied, the Cafe Racer was h&tter suited to cruising along Californian seaside boulevards and spectacular wheelie getaways than to track racing. Technologically, the XLCR was born obsolescent. It had poor suspension, vibrated, had poor brakes, and needed careful maintenance. But what a bike! Its rider strode the big V-twin as though it were a living thing and, while it was docile when its rider wanted it to be, its phenomenal torque was there for the asking right from a standstill.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 246cc (56x50mm) air-cooled twin cylinder
Power Rating: 24 hp @ 7500 rpm
Valves: two-stroke
Fuel System: two carburetors
Transmission: 5-speed; chain final drive
Suspension: telescopic fork (front); swinging fork with two spring/dampers (rear)
Brakes: twin leading shoe drum (front); drum (rear)
Wheels: 18 inch
Weight: 350 lb
Maximum Speed: 90 mph
Built between 1977 and 1979, the 1000 XLCR “Cafe Racer” has already become a highly sought after collector’s item.
