XLCR 1000 Cafe Racer

1978 Harley-Davidson XLCR 1000 Cafe Racer Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Engineered by Harley-Davidson for the sport motorcycle segment, the 1978 Harley-Davidson XLCR 1000 Cafe Racer relies on a 997 cc (60.8 cu in) air-cooled v2, four-stroke powerplant. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 57 HP (41.6 kW) at 6,000 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 4-speed gearbox and chain final drive. With a specific output of 57.2 HP per liter, the engine character is prioritizing low-RPM tractability, mechanical longevity and relaxed throttle response over peak redline numbers.

On the scales, the XLCR 1000 Cafe Racer measures 218 kg (481 lbs) wet (curb), translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.26 HP/kg (3.82 kg per horsepower). The 9-liter (2.4 US gal) fuel tank supports practical everyday commuting and weekend road stints, while factory top speed is listed at 180 km/h (112 mph).

Within MotoLibrary's Harley-Davidson archive, this model family spans 2 indexed model years from 1977 to 1978, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.