Immaculate 1980 XR750 Looks Good as New

Legendary Offering

Harley's XR750 is widely considered to be the most successful racing bike of all time, earning quite a reputation (and plenty of wins) after replacing the dominant KRTT lineup. Displacement rules in AMA suddenly rendered those K bikes behind the times virtually overnight, forcing Harley to go back to the drawing board. It came up with a masterpiece as a result, as this beautifully preserved example from Mecum's recent Las Vegas auction reminds us.

Photos: Mecum Auctions

Prominent Collection

This particular XR750 hails from the George Schott Collection, a longtime Harley enthusiast, collector, and former legacy dealership owner. From the looks of the bike, it's been sparingly ridden over the years, with virtually no wear on any of its components or even the seat.

Photos: Mecum Auctions

>>Join the conversation about this classic XR750 in the Harley-Davidson Forum.

Good to Go

The beautiful vintage racer has been treated to a number of new components, including a set of ventilated hubs, fresh tires, air filters, dual carbs, and a rear sprocket and disc, and is reportedly ready to roll if the new owner wants to take it out on the track or compete in vintage racing events.

Photos: Mecum Auctions

>>Join the conversation about this classic XR750 in the Harley-Davidson Forum.

Winning Formula

Making this bike even more special than it already was, to begin with, is the fact that 1980 was the last year Harley sold the XR750 as a completely assembled bike from the factory. It was the culmination of several years of perfecting a solid formula, and it racked up an impressive 29 championships in the AMA Grand Nationals between 1972 and 2008 - more than any other bike.

Photos: Mecum Auctions

>>Join the conversation about this classic XR750 in the Harley-Davidson Forum.

Nimble and Powerful

Packing a twin-cylinder 750cc engine with aluminum cylinders and heads (added a couple of years into its lifespan), the XR750 was designed from the start to be light and nimble in the turns, with enough power to also remain dominant on the straightaways. With legendary riders like Cal Rayborn, Jay Springsteen, and Nicky Hayden at the controls, it proved to be a winning formula.

Photos: Mecum Auctions

>>Join the conversation about this classic XR750 in the Harley-Davidson Forum.

Big Money

Given the XR750's prominence and how special this one is, it's no surprise that the bike received a ton of attention, and quite a few bids when it rolled across the auction block. Ultimately, this fine example of a Harley racing bike sold for $37,400, a significant amount of money, but completely appropriate for one of the best examples of the legendary XR750 out there in the world.

Photos: Mecum Auctions

>>Join the conversation about this classic XR750 in the Harley-Davidson Forum.

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