1961 HD FLAT TRACK 883

Year: 1961

Make: Harley Davidson

Model: 883 FLAT TRACK

Engine Capacity: 883cc

Odometer: unknown KMs

Rego Until: not road legal

Another rare HD model has come to our garage to find its next home. Here you find an original HD XLR that is ready to rumble if you have the guts. This bike is built for racing which is why there is no lights or plates on the machine. Comes imported from the USA, with paperwork to prove.

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.

Depending on who you talk to there are believe to be between 200-500 that have been made but who knows how many are left now. We have been advised that the extremely low engine number could indicate that this machine was a factory racing bike.

She’s in excellent order and a very strong runner and comes with Smiths rev counter and original autograph of dirt track ace Johnny Butterfield on the number sign in front.

All yours for only