Rare two-year-only model • Original and un-restored • Rare H-D accessory dual seat and passenger footrests 'If black truly is beautiful, then the XLCR was sublime. So dark, it practically drank in the light, the Café Racer was another of Willie G Davidson's variations on an old theme, in this case reworking the basic 1,000cc Sportster which had first appeared in 1972. When it arrived for the 1977 model year, the XLCR looked revolutionary – the most unashamedly different Harley-Davidson yet.' – Mac McDiarmid, 'The Ultimate Harley-Davidson'. Harley-Davidson had been building the Sportster model for years but by the mid-1970s it had become obvious that something better would be required to compete with the hottest new road bikes from Europe and Japan. Styled by William G Davidson, the company's Design Director, Harley's riposte was the XLCR 'Café Racer', which combined the iron-barreled Sportster engine with a chassis incorporating an XR750-style box-section swinging arm, cast alloy wheels and triple disc brakes. With its matt black-finished engine cases, matching exhaust system and sleek glassfibre bodywork, the XLCR looked lean and mean. Trouble was, the XLCR still couldn't cut it with the opposition, and traditional Harley owners didn't know what to make of it. Sales were disappointing, and the model was dropped after only two years in production. Back in '77, Bike magazine reckoned that the XLCR was essentially 'about style and image more than any other machine on the market' and there can be little doubt that turning up on one of these today would get you more attention than any modern sports bike. Only some 3,000-or-so were made and today the rare and stylish XLCR is highly prized by collectors. This superb example is offered for sale by renowned marque specialists, Warr's of London, Europe's oldest Harley-Davidson dealership. It is original and unmodified, and features the very rare H-D accessory dual seat and passenger footrests. The machine was last run in March 2018 and is described as in good condition throughout. Offered with current MoT, dating certificate, and a V5C document, it represents a rare opportunity to acquire an example of Harley-Davidson's iconic XLCR Café Racer.
Rare two-year-only model • Original and un-restored • Rare H-D accessory dual seat and passenger footrests 'If black truly is beautiful, then the XLCR was sublime. So dark, it practically drank in the light, the Café Racer was another of Willie G Davidson's variations on an old theme, in this case reworking the basic 1,000cc Sportster which had first appeared in 1972. When it arrived for the 1977 model year, the XLCR looked revolutionary – the most unashamedly different Harley-Davidson yet.' – Mac McDiarmid, 'The Ultimate Harley-Davidson'. Harley-Davidson had been building the Sportster model for years but by the mid-1970s it had become obvious that something better would be required to compete with the hottest new road bikes from Europe and Japan. Styled by William G Davidson, the company's Design Director, Harley's riposte was the XLCR 'Café Racer', which combined the iron-barreled Sportster engine with a chassis incorporating an XR750-style box-section swinging arm, cast alloy wheels and triple disc brakes. With its matt black-finished engine cases, matching exhaust system and sleek glassfibre bodywork, the XLCR looked lean and mean. Trouble was, the XLCR still couldn't cut it with the opposition, and traditional Harley owners didn't know what to make of it. Sales were disappointing, and the model was dropped after only two years in production. Back in '77, Bike magazine reckoned that the XLCR was essentially 'about style and image more than any other machine on the market' and there can be little doubt that turning up on one of these today would get you more attention than any modern sports bike. Only some 3,000-or-so were made and today the rare and stylish XLCR is highly prized by collectors. This superb example is offered for sale by renowned marque specialists, Warr's of London, Europe's oldest Harley-Davidson dealership. It is original and unmodified, and features the very rare H-D accessory dual seat and passenger footrests. The machine was last run in March 2018 and is described as in good condition throughout. Offered with current MoT, dating certificate, and a V5C document, it represents a rare opportunity to acquire an example of Harley-Davidson's iconic XLCR Café Racer.
Try LotSearch and its premium features for 7 days - without any costs!
Be notified automatically about new items in upcoming auctions.
Create an alert
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
