Harley-Davidson XR750 Is Ultimate Flat-Track Racing Hero
Motorcycles & ATVs
Motorcycles
This Harley-Davidson XR750 recently for sale on eBay is a fine example of one of history’s most successful competition motorcycles.
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Competition Hero
Many motorcycles can claim iconic status, often due to their design or on-road performance. The Harley-Davidson XR750 has long since earned this status thanks to its peerless record in dirt track racing. It’s also the bike Evel Knievel used to jump 133 feet, successfully clearing 14 buses.
The XR750 for sale on eBay is a later 1980 example of the dirt track bully, apparently not too far from running and riding, and wearing just the right amount of patina after years of pounding the race tracks. The listing states that “Kevin Atherton 23 - opens in new window or tab.” signatures appear on the exhausts, though it is unclear whether the superstar racer owned or even rode this example. Similarly, despite also wearing an Evel Knievel signature - opens in new window or tab. on the number board, it’s unlikely that the Montana daredevil was ever on board. Still cool, though.
The seller’s claim that the bike is capable of running after tuning and set-up seems reasonable. Everything appears to be there, although it is worth noting that this example has round-slide carburetors and not the flat-slide items used on the racers. This shouldn’t stop it from running just fine. Apart from that, perhaps the enormous rear sprocket could be replaced with a fresh one, as its teeth appear to be worn.
Dominance
The XR750 won more on the dirt than any other machine in the history of AMA racing. When the AMA limited the size of side-valve motors to 750 cc, the rule was seen to favor smaller Japanese and British machinery. Harley-Davidson’s response was the XR750, and it altered the future of flat-track racing.
Following the change in the capacity rules, H-D started the 1970 Grand National Championship with cast iron cylinder heads carried over from its predecessor, the KR750. Despite chalking up some wins out of the box, there were overheating issues. That was solved largely by the advent of aluminum cylinder heads - opens in new window or tab..
Despite now fielding the fastest bike, H-D’s engineers worked tirelessly to further improve the 750 engine, which eventually spun to a dizzying 9,500 rpm and developed 105 horsepower compared to the first XRs, which coughed up around 70.
Still Competitive
Nine-time Grand National Champion Scott Parker said of the XR:
Think about it: The thing was designed 50 years ago and was competitive up until… I think people are still riding them from time to time today. They could still win races; that's the cool thing about it.
Incredibly, the XR750 competed in its final event at the Progressive American Flat Track - opens in new window or tab. in Eldon, Miss., in September 2024.
Hard-to-Find Parts?
Finding a correct rear sprocket and carburetors for an XR750 sounds like a tall order, but eBay has you covered. Here is the OEM rear sprocket, and this is an example of the correct Mikuni flat-slide carburetor. Or dare you wear a Knievel cape?
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