First Year Race Legend – 1970 Harley-Davidson XR750

In America, Race by Tim HuberLeave a Comment

For decades, Harley’s XR750 was the machine to beat. From 1972 to 2008, the XR was responsible for taking home 29 out of the 37 possible AMA Grand National Championships, leading to some referring to the machine as the “most successful race bike of all time”. The XR750 was also famously Evel Knievel’s go-to choice when performing jumps/stunts. Before it was replaced a couple years back by H-D’s new XG750R, the XR750 was Harley’s primary platform in racing with the road-racing XRTT machine being a slightly modified, full-faired version of the American dirt tracker.

After new AMA regulations in 1969, Harley would be prompted to update its KR racer. Harley-Davidson’s then racing manager, Dick O’Brien, and his team utilized existing elements of designs to create a new OHV racer, as OHV bikes had began dominating flat track racing. The XR750 was the moco’s answer to the machines coming from Europe and Japan around the dawn of the ’70’s. The XR was largely derived from Harley’s 900cc Sportster-based XLR, only using a markedly shorter stroke and smaller connecting rods to bring displacement down to a regulation 750.

At the center of the XR750 was an air-cooled, 748cc V-Twin that made a reported 82hp at 7,700rpm and had a claimed top speed of 115mph. The Milwaukee-built V-Twin inhaled via dual 36mm Mikuni carbs and was married to a four-speed transmission with chain final drive. Wrapped around the American engine was a steel twin loop cradle frame fitted with telescopic Ceriani forks up front and dual Girling shocks in back. The whole bike sat upon a set of spoked aluminum rims, and weighed in at under 300lbs (dry).

To comply with AMA homologation regulations Harley produced 200 XR750 units in 1970 which were available for sale to the public via Harley’s dealer network at a cost that translates to around $20K today. The story of this particular XR started with its engine – a lucky Southern California barn find. From there said engine was sent to Carl Patrick – who according to Motorcycle-USA is the “world’s best XR tuner”. Patrick completely tore down the powerplant and rebuilt it from the ground up before tuning it and dropping it into an XR750 rolling chassis sourced from John Steele of High Speed Motors in Ohio – another world renowned XR specialist. From there this example was sent back to SoCal where it was fully assembled to original factory specs.

Following the build, this example was dyno-tested, but otherwise hasn’t seen any mileage put on it whatsoever. As the seller points out, this XR is 100 percent ready to be broken in. An original 1970’s set of Goodyear tires have also been added to the mix to further the machine’s authenticity. Every inch of metal has been thoroughly polished or powder-coated resulting in a fairly pristine restoration, plus all the bike’s paint uses genuine factory colors and even Harley’s correct gel-coat and tank decals. This AHRMA-ready XR currently has a NADA Guide suggested value of ~$35,000, assuming you rate this example as a #1 on NADA’s scale.

You can find this 1970 Harley-Davidson XR750 Factory Flat Track Racer (VIN: 1C10 125 H0) for sale in Costa Mesa, California with bidding up to $21,999 and the reserve not yet met