Beside being Evel Kneivel’s choice, the simplicity and light weight of the H-D XR-750 has made it a regular at flat track podiums since 1970. This street-registered example is faithful to the legend and its owner / ex-racer’s dream.
1969 Harley-Davidson XR-750 Replica for sale on eBay
Harley was given an offer they couldn’t refuse in 1969 – develop an overhead-valve race engine since the dispensation given to flatheads was fading into the sunset. They de-stroked their 883cc twin to 748cc’s and had 82 hp to send to the 4-speed trans. The lightweight downtube frame had the engine bolted directly in, helping keep the total weight around 300 lbs. Period suspension was Ceriani front and Girling rear, with the front brake ( useless to a flat track racer ) conspicuously absent. Megaphone exhausts went left since the left-turning oval kept the near side open.
This owner’s dream was realized via a 1969 XLH Sportster, with a race-prepared engine ( bumped to 1000cc ) and overall faithful presentation. Along with the genuine XR750 tank, seat, and Akront laced alloys, there some are nods to the road such as the front disk brake, electric start, and progressive rear springs. Notes from the eBay auction:
This XR 750 is a fresh build of an iron XR 750 replica using a 1969 XLH engine with electric start and rare Jerry Branch racing heads. It was a complete nut and bolt rebuild on the engine. The frame is XR style with neck and E conversion. There are lots of fabricated, hand-made aluminum parts. The lithium battery is mounted under the tail. The bike was built by Don Rothwell, a mechanical engineer and Harley racer. This was a blank check build with the best of everything used. It has break in miles only.Itemized List of what is in bike:1. Rare branch racing heads2. Rare branch flow metric air cleaner3. Lithium life pro battery4. Cycle electric generator & regulator5. Trail tech headlights mounted in number plate6. Drag spec rear shocks (adjustable)7. XR 750 cam cover8. XLR Straight pipe (have baffles)9. Motion pro throttle and cables10. XR 750 tank and seat11. Polished front and rear Akront flat track racing wheels12. Electric start13. XR 750 oil tank14. Stainless spokes and hubs15. Wiring Master sheet16. Itemized build sheet with costs for everything17. Hand build center stand included, but not on the bike at this time18. Period decals
While one could’ve purchased an actual XR750 homologation special from the Harley dealer, chances of street registration would’ve been slim and none. For a fan of the grass-roots AMA series ( which is having a bit of a revival ) a Sportster-based rep is a nice compromise. This one is professionally done and has just “dealer” miles – could be a hit in the paddock…
-donn
Wow this is something special. I would pay 25 G for this if I had it.
$25k for an XLH with a few XR parts? It’s not even a magneto fired XLCH. Don’t get me wrong, it is nicely done. But calling it a replica is a bit of a stretch. It’s more of a well-designed Sportster street-tracker. If it had an XR1000 motor in it, it would have a bit more in common. Also, an actual street-legal XR750 was sold for the same price at an auction a couple years ago.
Yeah, the gorilla in the room is the engine. To be in the XR club its gotta have two exhausts on the left side and two carbs on the right side. Sportster engines don’t qualify.