530 lb (240 kg) (dry) 565 lb (256 kg) (full of gas) (wet)
The Harley-Davidson XLCR was an American café racermotorcycle manufactured by Harley-Davidson between 1977 and 1979.
Some say that designer Willie G. Davidson created it from the existing XLCH Sportster, initially as his personal vehicle.[1] The bike was actually designed by a committee of three people: Bob Modero (an engineer at Harley) Jim Haubert (Jim Haubert Engineering) hired as an independent Skunkworks contractor and Willie G. Although he was not present, this group had a strong styling influence from Dean Wixom when the three decided, as one of the starting points, to enlarge a dirt track XR750 fuel tank. Mr. Wixom was the original designer of this fuel tank.
Changed styling included the addition of a "bikini" fairing, slim front fender, reshaped fuel tank, a pillion-free saddle and unique "siamesed" two-into-two exhaust.[1] It was "largely ignored" by consumers when launched in the 1970s,[2] and "famously a sales flop",[3] a "narcoleptic turner" due to long wheelbase and cruiser-like steering geometry,[4] with "lethargic performance",[5] but by thirty years later, had become a collectors item.[2][6][7]
Manufacturing numbers:
1977, 1923 pcs at price of US$3595
1978, 1201 pcs at price of US$3623
1979, 9 or 10 pcs remaining parts from stock.
In 2013 a 1977 model sold for 12,000 dollars at an auction.[8] In 2004 a 1978 model went for 9,900 at an auction in New Zealand.[9] In 2010 a 1977 model sold for about US$20,000 by Bonhams at auction.[10]
Lindsay, Brooke (November 5, 2006), "Harley's Sportster: From a Wild Child to a Grown-Up in 50 Years", The New York Times, retrieved 2015-06-28, As grim as those days were in terms of performance, it was an era that produced two of the Sportsters considered most unusual and sought-after by collectors, the 1977-78 XLCR Cafe Racer and the 1983-85 XR1000. Both of these racebike-inspired models were risky departures for Harley, and both originally languished unsold in showrooms long after production concluded.
Welsh, Jonathan (March 16, 2012), "New Era for 'Hogs?' Harley-Davidson Styling Chief To Retire", The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones & Company, Driver's Seat blog, retrieved 2015-06-28, His road-race-styled Café Racer built from 1977 to 1979 was a departure and a famous flop. However, the sleek bikes are now coveted by collectors.
Brown, Roland (21 August 2009). "Harley-Davidson XLCR". Motorcycle Classics. Retrieved August 24, 2009. The Harley-Davidson XLCR was Willie G. Davidson's one and only brush with the cafe racer set, and it created a classic for all time
