Harley-Davidson XLCR

The Harley-Davidson XLCR was an American café racer motorcycle 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, a slim front fender, a reshaped fuel tank, a pillion-free saddle, and a 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 its long wheelbase and cruiser-like steering geometry,^[4] with "lethargic performance",^[5] but thirty years later, it had become a collector's 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]