In Harley’s long history, one of their rarer creations is the XLR 883 – a bike built to compete in AMA Grand National TTs after the race organization lowered max displacement from 1,300 cc to 900 cc.
Per this Silodrome article, an estimated 200-500 were built between the early 60s and early 70s. They were factory specials with no provisions for road legality, and they featured stronger steel frames with several changes to the engine: shorter stroke and wider bore to facilitate higher revs, upgraded camshaft, roller breaking crankshaft, lightweight/larger valves, ported/polished heads, and custom pistons and connecting rods. Harley claimed about 60 hp from the stock bike – this one made between 70-90 depending on the tune.
This example has been turned into a “street cafe racer” with a rebuilt original XLR motor, 16″ PM wheels, and a frame built by “John Star Bike” in 1987. I’ve got to confess, I don’t know what “John Star Bike” is – do any of you?
Find this XLR for sale in Gardena, California for $25,000 (the seller is Yoshi of Garage Company) here on Facebook Marketplace.