Description
Please note: The seller has not started the bike under his ownership; it has been kept inside his home on display. He has not confirmed its current running condition.
Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
By the late 1960s, British manufacturers like Triumph and Norton had firmly established themselves as the forerunners of motorcycle racing. So dominant was the British parallel twin, in fact, that the AMA made a rule specifically intended to favor Americans: overhead valve engines were restricted to 500cc, though side valve units could be built up to 750cc.
Of course, the British quickly regained their advantage when the rules were updated to allow for 750cc capacities across different engine architectures. In danger of falling behind, Harley-Davidson began work on a highly-tuned Sportster variant with a race-ready frame design. Thus, the first version of the XR750 flat tracker arrived in 1970.
Unfortunately, the engineers at Harley hadn’t designed the bike with adequate cooling provisions, and the combination of iron blocks, barrels, and heads was quick to overheat. News made its way across the pond, and the British grew increasingly confident in their chances of success come time to line the grid for the Transatlantic Match Races.
In 1972, however, Harley-Davidson finally solved its overheating issues with new aluminum barrels and heads, additions that allowed the XR750 to become a genuinely competitive machine. During this time, a second, road-going version of the XR750 emerged — the XRTT — that boasted stiffer suspension, a four-speed transmission, a pair of 36mm Mikuni carbs, as well as a front leading-shoe Fontana drum and a rear disc brake.
Suffice to say, the the combination proved potent. In the face of all expectations, American riders Cal Rayborn and Ray Pickrell nearly won the Transatlantic Match Races. Over the course of six starts — two held at each of the Brands Hatch, Mallory Park, and Oulton Park circuits — Rayborn tied the leader in points. Though he couldn’t quite clench the finish, he made a compelling case for the XR750’s racing relevance.
This example does not have a VIN. It is engine #: 1C10082H2. The seller acquired the bike from a prominent motorcycle collector in 2020. This XRTT was built as a tribute to bike raced by Jay Springsteen.
There is no odometer. True mileage is unknown.
Maintenance:
Per the seller, “I’ve never started it since it was delivered. The bike has been adorning my office. Engine rebuilt by Larry Zumbrun. Front brake has a Fontana Magnesium front brake, air cooled, Ceriani forks, bodywork done by Shaffer bodywork. Parts came from Jay Springsteen through Joe Bisha. Girling shocks, Boriani rear rim, master cylinders by Hurst Airheart. Smiths tachometer, leather chin pad on tank. Would be an excellent museum piece or a very high maintenance road racer.”
The seller has provided the following video (filmed by the previous seller four years ago) to demonstrate this replica’s functionality. As noted above, it has been kept inside his home on display. He has not confirmed its current running condition.
Modifications:
Fontana magnesium front brake.
Shaffer bodywork.
Borani rear rim, Hurst Airheart master cylinder.
Girling shocks.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Michelin Slicks that have aged out.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Garland, Texas, this Harley-Davidson is offered on a Bill of Sale only. Have any XRTT stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
