Remebering the Harley-Davidson XLCR Cafe Racer
It may not have been popular at the time of its release, but the XLCR proved to be an important chapter in the Harley-Davidson story.
Today, we’re going to spotlight one of my all-time favorite Harley-Davidson models, the 1977 XLCR “Cafe Racer.” While it wasn’t appreciated when it was released, history would show that it was an idea way ahead of its time.
A major part of the Harley-Davidson mystique is the ability to customize and personalize a bike to suit your tastes. Each and every Harley-Davidson custom is a reflection of its owner’s unique personality. That said, though, Harley-Davidson motorcycles have a distinct cruiser “look” to them.
That all changed with the debut of the Willie G. Davidson-designed XLCR in 1977. It was unlike anything else available from the manufacturer at the time. The Harley-Davidson XLCR was blacked out with no chrome, and styled to resemble a European-style high-speed café racer.
High Speed, Low Drag
In later years, this style became immensely popular with Harley-Davidson customizers. Even new models available on the showroom floor today show the XLCR’s influence. The café racer concept wasn’t as popular with Harley-Davidson buyers back in the late ’70s, though. According to Silodrome, just 1,923 were built during its brief three-year production run.
There’s a handful of reasons why the concept didn’t catch on. First, let’s talk about the positives. The XLCR featured a revised frame that was more upright for superior handling. It was also upgraded with dual disc brakes up front and a single disc in the back.
However, the engine itself wasn’t upgraded from the standard Sportster. It still made the same 61 horsepower you’d get out of any other Ironhead Sportster in 1977. Furthermore, it was priced higher than its European rivals at the time.
As a result, the XLCR failed to woo sport bike buyers away from their beloved Italian and British brands. At the same time, it alienated members of the Harley-Davidson faithful who liked their bikes low, slow, and covered in chrome (and there’s nothing wrong with that).
Although very few were actually built and sold, the legacy of the blacked-out café racer speaks for itself. It’s inspired countless customs and factory models in the years since. As it turns out, Willie G. Davidson really was on to something with the XLCR.
Photos: Silodrome
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