The Harley-Davidson XLCR1000 is unique in the range of models built by the famous Milwaukee company, in that it is definitely not built on the same 'laid-back' lines as its tourer stable-mates. 

The ‘CR’ part of the title stands for ‘Café Racer’, and the bike’s appearance is radically different to more familiar Harleys. 

Styling changes included a ‘bikini’ fairing, a slim front fender, a reshaped fuel tank, a pillion-free seat and the distinctive two-into-two ‘siamesed’ exhaust. 

The café racer movement began in the UK in the 1950s, born out of the rock’n’roll scene. Fast, lightweight bikes, usually Triumphs or Nortons at the time, were stripped of unnecessary adornments and launched a new sub-culture that was soon to spread around the world. 

Harley-Davidson’s chief designer, Willie G Davidson, had his eye on the scene and it’s suggested that he first designed the XLCR 1000 as a bike for his own use.  

Not popular with customers on its launch in 1977, the model survived in the Harley range for just two years, but was something of a ‘poster bike’ for enthusiasts in the 1980s and by the end of the twentieth century it had become a collectors’ item. 

With only three thousand examples produced, the bike is now sought-after and values continue to increase.

This bike is being sold by the vendor on behalf of a collector, who is reducing the size of his stable of rare and unusual bikes. 

Sadly, there is no paperwork at all for this example, but the current owner bought it from a Midlands company who had imported it from the USA as a project. 

It’s been in storage for the last few years and doesn’t currently run, although the electrics all seem to function correctly with no attempt to start it. It’s not currently UK-registered.  

It’s a matching-numbers bike, though, with only 6743 miles on the odometer.

The bike is in need of some care and attention, as is evident from the pictures. 

It is in largely original condition, although the wheels have been painted.

There’s no seat - although it is on the way in delivery, the fairing is broken, the badges are missing from the fuel tank and there’s a significant chip in the paint on the tank. The reflector from the front left fork is missing.

With so few bikes in existence, parts can be tricky to obtain and hence the vendor is selling this as a ‘spares or repair’ project.  

Although not as quick as some contemporary Japanese bikes, the XLCR1000 was capable of covering the standing quarter-mile in around twelve seconds, and would remain the fastest bike in the Harley range until the launch of the XR1000, some six years later.

The bike is not currently in working order; there are no keys with it, although the vendor confirms that it has compression and the gears all engage. The chain and brake discs are somewhat rusty. 

The Goodyear Eagle tyres are original and show signs of their age. 

An increasingly rare bike, that was a milestone in Harley-Davidson history and has a dedicated following, the XLCR 1000 is a collectors’ item and current values reflect this. 

While in need of some care and attention, this is a largely original example that the vendor is selling with a reserve that reflects its condition.