Author Topic: CAFE Harley (Read 6041 times)

Pinhead · « **on:** November 07, 2006, 01:11:26 PM »

Quote

1977-78 XLCR CAFE RACER Harley’s glossy-black answer to foreign sport bikes had a unique frame, fuel tank, fairing — and triple disc brakes (a first for Harley).

dusterdude · « **Reply #1 on:** November 07, 2006, 01:20:54 PM »

its hard to believe them things bring some insane money now.

angeldeville · « **Reply #2 on:** November 07, 2006, 01:27:24 PM »

nice looking bike, not sure i have every seen one before.

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #3 on:** November 07, 2006, 01:52:00 PM »

Actually is nice looking. I did a Google search on harley davidson+cafe and all I got was their new restaurant locations..jeez! Expanded it to cafe racer and found a '77 that went for $10,000.

grumburg · « **Reply #4 on:** November 07, 2006, 02:04:46 PM »

When these were new, no one wanted them. The Harley guys would rather walk than ride this p+++y ride, and the cafe guys would not be caught dead on an AMF Harley.

crash · « **Reply #5 on:** November 07, 2006, 02:10:36 PM »

Kinda looks like an F with a V-twin stuck in it doesn't it?

Actually, not a bad looking bike.

bwaller · « **Reply #6 on:** November 07, 2006, 02:17:12 PM »

Bob, that is the same model Harley that crashed at Mosport in 76 or 77 the Grand Prix and took down the 250 six GP jewel! But I don't hold a grudge or anything.

USN20 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 07, 2006, 04:03:16 PM »

Designed by Willie G. Davidson, the Harley XLCR "Cafe Racer" was aimed at the stoplight racers of the West Coast, a fad which started in England and Europe where the "ton-up boys" raced from cafe to cafe. The XLCR was produced in three model years, 1977 (1900 units), 1978 (1200 units) and 1979 (fewer than 10 units left over from 1978 year). The all black steel tank and fiberglass tail piece coupled with the unique black Siamese exhausts (1978 mufflers were larger than 1977) made the XLCR arguably the most attractive bike of it's era. The "Cafe Racer" was the first Harley with triple disc brakes ...

Source: www.ironharley.com/xlcr.htm

Jonesy · « **Reply #8 on:** November 07, 2006, 04:32:54 PM »

Quote from: grumburg on November 07, 2006, 02:04:46 PM

When these were new, no one wanted them. The Harley guys would rather walk than ride this p+++y ride, and the cafe guys would not be caught dead on an AMF Harley.

As I said about this in another thread, "I guess the phrase 'Designed by Willie G. himself' didn't hold the same kind of clout back then!"

medic09 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 07, 2006, 05:20:29 PM »

I remember them well. I was in college in Israel, and could only see pix. One hot looking bike. You notice, though, the bike never made an impact...

Ratfink · « **Reply #10 on:** November 07, 2006, 08:27:28 PM »

Personally I dont like the tank/seat/tail lines at all. I do however like the exhaust and front fender....actually, I like everything from the waist down....

maksuttt · « **Reply #11 on:** November 08, 2006, 04:04:54 AM »

More american caferacers here

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #12 on:** November 08, 2006, 04:16:10 AM »

Quote from: bwaller on November 07, 2006, 02:17:12 PM

Bob, that is the same model Harley that crashed at Mosport in 76 or 77 the Grand Prix and took down the 250 six GP jewel! But I don't hold a grudge or anything.

Sterling2 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 08, 2006, 05:50:26 AM »

The XLCR never caught on because it was just a styling exercise by Harley. The chassis and engine are standard ironhead sportster, so the bike's performance doesn't back up it's cafe racer looks. And yes, the Harley crowd hated it.

medic09 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 08, 2006, 06:34:47 AM »

Quote from: Sterling2 on November 08, 2006, 05:50:26 AM

The XLCR never caught on because it was just a styling exercise by Harley. The chassis and engine are standard ironhead sportster, so the bike's performance doesn't back up it's cafe racer looks.

Typical...

crazypj · « **Reply #15 on:** November 08, 2006, 09:16:20 AM »

iron head sportster, 35bhp from factory, new exhaust valves evey 9,000 miles. Got outrun by CB350twins
PJ

nickjtc · « **Reply #16 on:** November 08, 2006, 08:30:35 PM »

Isn't that the bike that Michael Douglas rode in the 'race' scene in 'Black Rain'?

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #17 on:** November 08, 2006, 09:32:57 PM »

Actually, they weren't a bad bike. I rode one when they were new, and quite liked it, but couldn't afford one, so I bought my first CB750 (a new F1) instead.

I fell about laughing reading the "outrun by 350 twins" jibe, like any Sportster it had plenty of torque and would whup a Z1 off the lights, (for the first 200 yards anyway) and the BHP figure was more like 60. There was also a factory "Special" here in Oz at Peter Stevens Motorcycles (the Aussie importer) with the reversed head on the rear cylinder like the 750 racers, with a big cam, porting, bigger valves, twin Dellorto (I think) carbs etc, and it was closer to 90-odd BHP.

I'm not sure what the Harley folk here thought of them, but most of us Honda and Kawasaki guys thought they were pretty cool. Cheers, Terry.

nickjtc · « **Reply #18 on:** November 09, 2006, 05:57:17 AM »

The fact that they are 'collectable' now must mean something, I suppose.

Chris Liston · « **Reply #19 on:** November 09, 2006, 06:15:23 AM »

Check out the new issue of Cycle World. Harley is basically re-releasing this bike. The XR1200 street tracker. Basically a sporty 1200 with solo type seat the swept up exhaust.

Steve F · « **Reply #20 on:** November 09, 2006, 06:33:33 AM »

A Harley is a Harley, is a Harley. Nothing NEW here except a "look". (yawn)

Chris Liston · « **Reply #21 on:** November 09, 2006, 06:37:40 AM »

Quote from: Steve F on November 09, 2006, 06:33:33 AM

A Harley is a Harley, is a Harley. Nothing NEW here except a "look". (yawn)

Agree with that statement. farm equipment fromt he 50's with new paint.

Steve F · « **Reply #22 on:** November 09, 2006, 06:44:41 AM »

I'm surprised the John Deere hasn't been approached by Harly-Davidson to make a "commemorative" version tractor with all the Harley logos plastered on it like the FORD pickup trucks I see. God...I wanna puke when I see those stupid trucks. What does FORD and Harley........nevermind.

Killer Canary · « **Reply #23 on:** November 09, 2006, 11:32:55 AM »

That XR 1200 IS nice looking. If it had a competent engine I would have to have one.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #24 on:** November 09, 2006, 01:00:01 PM »

Quote from: Killer Canary on November 09, 2006, 11:32:55 AM

That XR 1200 IS nice looking. If it had a competent engine I would have to have one.

Take a test ride mate, and don't listen to the collective intelligence(?) of the Harley "knockers" above, i think you'll come away impressed! Cheers, Terry.

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Author Topic: CAFE Harley (Read 6041 times)

USN20

Ratfink

Sterling2