1961 Harley-Davidson XLR 883
Rare Harley-Davidson Sportster-based TT racer
VIN 61XLR1003
Harley-Davidson’s XL Sportster was introduced in 1957, and a year later it evolved into the limited production XLR. Designed to compete in AMA Professional Class C or "TT" races, the XLR remained in low-volume production until 1971, and is one of the rarer members of the extended Harley-Davidson Sportster family. Despite looking like a stripped XLCH Sportster, the XLR was a pure racing bike, with no street equipment.
Because the Sportster’s 883cc was too large for AMA sanctioned races, the XLR was built specifically for AMA Grand National TT races where the capacity limit was 80 cubic inches (1,310cc). In 1963 this changed to 55 cubic inches (900cc), these regulations lasting until 1973. The overhead valve motor was similar to the production model, with the same 76x97mm bore and stroke, but XLR ran ball bearings at the crankshaft ends, and was fitted with different heads, flywheels, con-rods, cams, pistons and valves. The cylinder heads were ported and fitted with larger valves and machined for longer reach spark plugs. Hotter cams were installed as well as a lightened valve train. Ignition was by a Fairbanks-Morse magneto, moved from the right side of the engine to a tucked-up position ahead of the front cylinder. With a single Linkert carburettor, the XLR produced 70 horsepower at 6,500 rpm. The KRTT frame was also slightly lighter due to less bracketry and was built of better steel to allow for thinner walls. The XLR weighed only 136kg. Despite company PR material displaying images to the contrary a front mudguard was not included as standard, and although the XLR was still heavier than its main adversary; the Triumph 650cc TT Special they were still dominant. In the hands of factory riders Mert Lawhill and Mark Brelford it was wickedly fast on the track. Tuner Jim Belland managed to extract 80 horsepower and it remained the horsepower king on dirt until the introduction of the XR 750. XLRs were found in several forms of racing. Some ran on circular tracks while others went nitro drag racing. Lance Weil took and XRL-based roadster to England and surprised many road racers on their short circuits. The Manning/Riley/Rivera streamliner that took Cal Rayborn to a 265.492-mph (426.5 km/hr) world record in 1970 at Bonneville used a similar-based but highly reworked engine. Although there are no accurate records available, there were likely between 200 and 500 XLRs made during the XRL's fourteen years of production.
This extremely rare 1961 XLR has an extremely low engine number which could indicate it was a factory racing bike. It’s in excellent order, a very strong runner, and comes with Smiths rev counter and an original autograph of dirt track ace Johnny Butterfield on the front number plate.
To view high resolution images of the motorcycles, please follow the below Dropbox link;
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/n5bcjb2nuoc16t4y3k5hs/h?dl=0&rlkey=exyqlbxilyvv4n3ue8jmppkbx
This motorcycle is sold unregistered.
