The Original Strain | XR 1000

The "XR 1000" is one of those bikes so rare to see, that when you find a beautiful realization you are very curious, like this one built by Laurel Classic

The 1984 Harley-Davidson XR-1000 Sportster motorcycle had power enough to impress any rider, but not enough of them were willing to pay its expensive price tag. Production of the Harley-Davidson XR-1000 ceased after its 1984 model run.

Harley's XR-750 racing bike enjoyed such success on the nation's flat tracks that a street version was introduced in 1983 to capitalize on the notoriety.

Though based on the stripped-down XLX Sportster, the XR-1000 was fitted with special cylinder heads similar to those found on the racing version.

These had intake ports entering the rear of both cylinders fed by dual carburetors on the right-hand side, and front-exiting exhaust ports emptying into high-mounted dual mufflers that exited on the left.

By contrast, all other Sportsters had a single carb (also on the right) that fed to centrally mounted intake ports, with exhaust exiting on the right from outboard ports.

The modifications resulted in an output of nearly 70 horsepower, a figure only dreamed of for other Sportsters, and gave the XR-1000 acceleration unequaled by any other street motorcycle Harley had ever built.

Unfortunately, the race-bred hardware that made the XR-1000 quite fast also made it quite expensive. At nearly $2,000 more than the XLX, not enough riders appreciated the difference, and the XR would fade into the sunset after the 1984 model run. 

 Having said that, the rarity of this model has made it one of the most sought after among collectors, who however seek the most orogonal possible.

Not everyone, however, thinks this way as can be seen from the images. However, the interventions were measured and careful and as a result you get a really nice motorcycle

 

 Laurel Classic