This ‘77 Harley-Davidson XLCR-1000 Is Still Completely Brand New
Motorcycles & ATVs
Motorcycles
The manufacturer American Machine and Foundry took over the production of Harley-Davidson motorcycles from 1972 to 1980. Those weren’t the most glorious years for Harley-Davidson. But at least one good thing came out of it—the 1977 Harley-Davidson XLCR CR1000 Factory Cafe Racer, like this extraordinary example recently for sale on eBay.
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Many things make this '77 XLCR-1000 special. Willie G. Davidson, the grandson of company co-founder William A. Davidson, was the head of Harley’s styling department for nearly 50 years. The list of motorcycles designed by Willie G is long and legendary.
Willie G.’s personal bike inspired the XLCR. The influences include a tank with design touches of Harley’s XR750 flat tracker to the Morris Wheels to the “Siamese” exhaust. Building a café racer-style motorcycle was new territory for The Motor Company. So was a triple Kelsey-Hayes disc brake setup, also a first for Harley-Davidson.
Harley-Davidson made only about 3,100 XLCR-1000s—between 1977 and 1979. As an Antique Motorcycle Club of America (AMCA) 100-point award winner, the motorcycle on eBay is probably the finest original example around. This motorcycle is immaculate—from its triple black finish and engine covers to its pristine leather seat.
Odo Reading: 4.3 Miles
The model was shipped to Harley-Davidson of Syracuse on June 6, 1977—and it never reached the showroom floor. “Harley” John, the dealership owner, fell in love with the bike and immediately added it to his private collection. He took it to shows but never rode it. The odometer shows 4.3 miles of use.
A peek at its original Goodyear tires corroborates the story. The factory sticker remains on the speedo. John went to a Pennsylvania chapter meeting of AMCA and showed the bike to Willie G., who gave his autograph to John. That signature is part of the sale, along with original paperwork and the owner’s manual.
A Perfect Score for This '77 XLCR CR1000
The AMCA is the authoritative body when it comes to old motorcycles. The association holds annual meetings where members can have their motorcycles judged by the AMCA in three categories: Restored, Original, or Period Modified.
Unlike other motorcycle shows, the AMCA evaluates vintage bikes against how they would have appeared when first delivered to the dealer. Each motorcycle starts with a perfect 100 points, and points are deducted for incorrect components ranging from parts to paint. This 1977 Harley-Davidson XLCR-1000 got a perfect score. The current owner has the award to prove it.
Upon its release, the 1977 XLCR-1000 became the fastest horse in the Harley stable. Its 68 horsepower V-twin is capable of propelling the XL up to 115 mph.
The Sportster has been in production since 1957. But this museum-quality XLCR-1000—with its racy tank, flat track tail, and bikini fairing—is like no other. That point is made clear by its AMCA pedigree and Willie G’s autograph.
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