Please Note: This is part of the Ienatsch Collection.
Here’s our usual cold start video:
Nick also kindly sent us an audio clip of his experience with the bike so we set it to a walkaround video. Listen to what he has to say here:
The seller of this fascinating custom is our buddy Nick Ienatsch, and we’ll let him tell the story: “Pictures of the all-new HD XLCR were taped to my bedroom walls in 1977. My dad was a Suzuki guy…GT750 at the time…but we both agreed that this sleek black Café was one hot item. Fast-forward eight years. I’m the Associate Editor at Motorcyclist magazine and mention my XLCR infatuation to Joe Minton, one of the industry’s best project-bike builders of the time. Joe laughed. “You ever ridden one? They are junk…might look good but terrible to ride.” And then in typical Joe Minton style, he added, “Buy an Evo Sportster and we’ll make an amazing Café Racer”. The magazine had an Evo 1100 Sportster for testing and I worked out a deal to get it.
Engine went to Branch Flowmetrics and Jerry built it to his usual perfection, including dual-plug heads and a Mikuni smoothbore.
Kerker’s Steve Johnson made a reverse megaphone pipe with absolutely no baffles whatsoever!
Steve Storz fashioned the rear-sets (the bike is GP shift due to the flipped shifter).
We found original XLCR bodywork from a secret and magical Joe Minton source. Joe and I bolted stuff together…good shocks, another disc up front.
Knowing what I know now, I see some of our “fabrication” as quite amateurish, but it was two underpaid journalists on a budget building an HD.
This bike also wears a neat set of PM wheels that were made for the Japanese market.
Thanks to Roland and Perry Sands, who also loved this build. So…the bike gets done and published. Peeps go crazy! Journalists from Japan and England travel to test-ride it. Bill Davidson (the “D” of HD) invites Art Friedman (Editor) and me to Milwaukee to ride this bike along with some engineers. They ship the bike to Wisconsin. We ride it all over the place, along with a few prototype Buells. Back in California, the Evo Café can be found up Angeles Crest, out at the Rock Store…I rode it everywhere and it was amazingly strong in the canyons. Stable, fast, torquey, excellent brakes…a joy to ride. Oh…and loud! Speaking of the Rock Store: One Sunday Jay Leno was ogling the Café and asked to ride it. Off we went, he on the Café, me on whatever old right-hand shift antique he gave me! My dad, now passed, loved this bike. It was his favorite to ride when he visited. This bike was retired into my house, then prominently displayed in my shop.
This bike was copied by some talented builders, but this is the OG. My hope: it ends up with an enthusiast who will further its fun and interesting history.”
Manufactured in August of 1985, this example is VIN: 1HD1CAN19GY114561. Nick purchased it 38 years ago.
During his ownership, Nick estimates that he has covered roughly 8,000 miles. The odometer shows 10,805 miles.
Maintenance:
During his ownership, Nick notes: “Oil and filter, battery, fork seals, tires.” In preparation for the listing, he had us perform a safety inspection, install a new battery, clean/tune the carb, replace the fuel filter assembly and several fuel lines, clean the front calipers and rotors, install new front brake pads, clean/lube/adjust the drive chain, replace the fork seals, and flush the hydraulic fluid. Our service department notes the following on their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: Ok
Engine Oil Level: Ok
Engine Oil Quality: Ok
2T Oil Level: N/A
Coolant Level: N/A
Coolant Quality: N/A
Front Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Front Hydraulic Fluid Quality: Ok <1.5%
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Quality: Ok <1.5%
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Level: N/A
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Quality: N/A
Final Drive Condition: Cleaned, Lubed, Adjusted
Headlight High Beam: Ok
Headlight Low Beam: Ok
Passing Light: N/A
Parking Light: N/A
Turn Signals: Ok
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light (Front Switch): Ok
Brake Light (Rear Switch): Not Functioning
Plate Light: Ok
Horn: Ok
Kill Switch: Ok
Brake Pad % Remaining Front: 100%
Brake Pad % Remaining Rear: 90%
Forks: Freshly Rebuild
Shock/s: Ok
Tire Date Code Front: EB6Y
Tire Date Code Rear: 35/5
Tire % Remaining Front: 90%
Tire % Remaining Rear: 90%
Tire Press. Front: 24PSI
Tire Press. Rear: 24PSI
Battery Standing Voltage: New 12.3V
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: 13.6V
Running Condition: Runs Well
Test Ride Completed: Completed
Test Ride Distance: 7 Miles
Notes:
Tires have cracking in sidewalls front and rear should be replaced before riding on the street
Recommendations:
-Front and Rear tires
Modifications:
Beyond the modifications specifically mentioned by Nick in the introduction to this listing, this Harley also features:
DAYTONA Omega clip-on handlebars, aftermarket triple clamp.
Steering damper.
Braided brake lines.
Fender eliminator, aftermarket rear turn signals.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Metzeler ME55 Metronic tires that have aged out.
The sale includes one key and the factory service manual.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album in the “Photos” tab for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Panorama City, California, (please make an appointment for an inspection) this Harley-Davidson is offered on a clean Utah title. Have any Sportster stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
