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Xlcr
| | Posted on Sunday, March 13, 2005 - 10:00 pm: | 
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That frame breaking story was from Harry Sucher, the guy who wrote, "Harley-Davidson, the Milwaukee Marvel". I happen to have my copy right under my computer desk. It's an excellent resource, with a lot of data that can't be found anywhere else, but one must remember that Harry himself was a diehard Indian loyalist, and some of his antedotes about Harleys need to be taken with a large grain of salt.
He is critical about Harley at many points in the book, and about some things he has every right to be. On the other hand, read "The Iron Redskin", his companion book about the Indian company, and you will find he treats them and their mistakes much more gently.
On this whole handling thing, one has to understand that most of the people riding modern high-powered sport bikes are only using about a fourth of the bike's capabilities. Using most of them would require a race track and a professional rider. On the other hand, an old guy like me, riding the same bike for 28 years, can take it much closer to its limits on public roads.
I know everything my bike can do, and I know everything I can do.This is really why a Buell makes so much sense. Most of those fools on Japanese sport bikes are wasting their bikes' capabilities. They have no idea where the limits are, and some of them are killed or badly injured finding out. |
Nedwreck
| | Posted on Sunday, March 13, 2005 - 11:17 pm: |
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Yeah, sure. The frame's plenty stiff. Uh-huh. Right. The tyres, suspension and the motor were pure crap, though.
One out of four ain't bad.
Bob |
Court
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2005 - 04:07 am: |
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Bob:
Clue me in.....what does that remark contribute to the discussion?
It's more the way you stated it.
Try it again. I think you can make your comment, about the wanting engine, better.
Remember...you are discussing a motor from the same vintage as the Chevy Vega.
Court |
Nedwreck
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2005 - 09:10 am: |
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I, uh.. well,
I used to own a Chevy Vega. Two of them, in fact.
Bob |
Mikej
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2005 - 10:00 am: |
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(Gee, all that was a fun monday morning read.)
HobanBrothers, have a good season.
MikeJ, (in the stands, not on the track, YMMV) |
Hobanbrothers
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2005 - 10:33 am: |
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Thankyou Mike, we will do our best.
Here is my XLCR story as I ended up with 2 that I really did not want.
There was a collector that had a couple of CRs, an XR 1000 and a 90 RS. I REALLY wanted an RS ever since I saw it in the early 90s at a show, where Erik was present (wearing his funky leather pants none the less). I thought, this guy is a little off in styling, but that bike is cool as all get out.
Collector knew I wanted the RS so bad, I would do just about do anything to get it, which he deemed as, he will by the other 3 bikes to get that one. I did, sold the other 3 bikes eventually and had what I wanted, (along with a little extra cash).
I drove all of them a fair amount and still felt I did the right thing by keeping the Buell. I could feel the XLCR frame flex to the point of no return sometimes.
I have since sold the RS back to the same collector for what I paid for it to fund last years racing effort. I never drove it anymore and I believe very strongly that if I own a bike it will driven and driven hard and I was having a hard time doing that with the RS for fear of wrecking a nice piece of history. |
Kevyn
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2005 - 11:03 am: |
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I always wanted an XLCR and an XR1000...had the chance to buy a CR back in about 1982 but couldn't sell my 1979 XLCH in time. Closest I ever got to an XR was DAve's when he and it were still in Illinois...awsome bike. Very easy to slip a set of adjustable Showa's or Ciriani's on the front of any Sporty and some gas charged springs for the rear end and achieve what seems to be a quantum leap in handling over the stock components.
If my understanding is correct, there were some Buell influences on the '79 HD's...
My '79 XLCH was a very stable bike under normal circumstances. I'm not sure whether to credit the bike or guardian Angels during several other instances.
I'm presently 'saving' a '68 XLCH and shortly after it's acquisition in '82 it received a much improved late model HD front end with dual discs...two quantum leaps forward!!
The CR and XR will always be sought after machines...hallmarks in HD styling and performance evolution.
...and who can forget the scene in 'Black Rain' when Michael Douglas collects the cash after that opening race scene through the streets of New York city? |
Xlcrguy
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2005 - 11:32 am: |
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Black Rain CR was not REALLY an XLCR, but a sportster in disguise...
But a cool scene anyhow! |
Martin
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2005 - 11:40 am: |
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Mike's bike seemed to have a lot of gears, going by the number of changes he made!
I agree, though, a cool scene. |
Xlcr
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2005 - 01:18 pm: |
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One thing I will agree with is that the Ironhead engine is a piece of crap by modern standards. One must remember that it has evolved from a 750cc flathead that was introduced in 1929. The owner's manual for an Ironhead will tell you that when new you can expect to use a quart of oil every 500 miles.
When you actually start riding it, the consumption goes up quickly. You could say that it's never quite right, and the harder you use it, the sooner its next rebuild will be. Mine has gotten better, because the engine internals are now a lot better stuff than what AMF put in there in 1977.
The Ironhead's biggest problem is it runs too hot, and needs to be set up too loose to avoid seizure.I'm running a Lockhart cooler and an oversized filter on mine, and along with the extra hoses, I can run almost five quarts of oil. This helps, but doesn't cure the problem. I have ridden 200 miles on a day when the temp was 103F since my rebuild with no problems. I think I suffered worse than the bike.
You don't need a temp gauge with a Cafe Racer, the oil bottle rests against your right thigh, and if it's running too hot, you will soon smell cooking meat. |
Cataract2
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2005 - 05:09 pm: |
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Lol. XL, they shoulda made it a two stroke. Oh well, comes with the times I guess. |
Whodom
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2005 - 07:26 pm: |
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XLCR- seems like synthetic oil would be just the ticket for an ironhead considering the temperatures and the wear. Of course, that would get pretty expensive at ~500 miles/quart.
Not long after I graduated from college, I dropped by the Harley dealer in Charleston, SC. This was probably early 1979. He still had 3 XLCR's in the showroom; 2 were stock, one had drag pipes fitted. I think I could have gotten any of them for about $3000 (imagine a Harley dealer volunteering to discount a bike). I had been lusting after XLCR's ever since they came out, and I came very close to buying one. Unfortunately, it would have been my first bike, and I felt like that big 61 cubic inch V-twin was too much power for a novice like me (imagine that nowadays with 18 year olds buying bikes with 100+ RWHP). My Dad also tried to talk me out of it, and it was another 24 years (3 years ago) before I finally got around to getting a bike.
I'm sure glad I didn't wait any longer. |
Kevyn
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 12:17 pm: |
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Imagine my surprise when I first climbed aboard my then new (first Buell, first ever new bike) '99M2 with a SE cam upgrade after riding the '68 XLCH...
...that little voice in my head kept repeating 'embrace the technology, it is good' and then I'd twist the throttle for instant adrenalin!
I'd still like to have an XLCR or an XR1000. Seem more like 'hobby' and 'tinker' week-end cruiser bikes at this stage in the motorcycle technology revolution. Doesn't make them less desirable to me, just less practical, time consuming and wallet biting.
It will be very gratifying to see a Buell race in the Daytona 200 and keep pace with the fastest Japan has to offer! Aside from the V-Strom and SV offering, they have nothing like the CityX for sheer style, ergonomic comfort, maneuverability or technological evolution disguised as simplicity. To be able to take the basic XB platform and have it function effectively on a race track and on the street is praise worthy indeed. The Buell XB's are slick, trick ponies... |
Xlcr
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 05:10 pm: |
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Hobros, I noticed something that seemed like frame flex when I first got my bike too. But it wasn't. When I got rid of the greasy Goodyears and soggy Showa suspension it went away, and the bike became very stable. In reality, the possibility of frame flex on a bike with only about 50 RWHP and skinny bias ply tires that are going to break away before they put much load on the frame is extremely unlikely.
Also, you won't find many other bikes made in the '70s that handle very well at all. Most of the Japanese bikes of the day were evil handlers at speed, with poor frame geometry and fish oil suspension. I still have the first road test of a Japanese bike that they claimed out-handled a Ducati SS, which was the handling standard for most of the decade. That was the DOHC Honda 750F of 1979. What they didn't tell you though, was the fact the Honda had plastic swing arm bushings and pot metal steering head bearings, and that good handling because very dodgey after the miles piled up.
I think rather than continuing to look for solutions to my bike's flaws, I'd be better off to wait for July and see what those new Buell models are all about. Maybe one will turn my crank enough to get one. Seriously, I would have bought a new bike already, but my local dealer won't take any pre-Evo Harleys on trade in, period. And as I'm not exactly awash in money, I need to get a good price for my bike in order to afford a new one. I have two teenagers to put through college soon. |
Blake
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 - 05:46 pm: |
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I had a great time at Daytona.
Local CMRA hero Ben Spies on the podium in the Superbike race and the old man Miguel winning the 200. Lots of CMRA racers all over the paddock. Ran into Michael Sanchez at the flat track race. And word is that Ben Spies is upset that Michael had taken his track record at OHR and threatened to stop by to take it back. How cool would that be. |
Buelluk
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 - 05:53 pm: |
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XLCR, Kevyn ...men after my own heart, I have a 1974 XLCH and I too want to get an XLCR and an XR1000 so as I tell the wife I can have the Holy Trinity of Ironheads. |
Daves
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 - 06:33 pm: |
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Oh come on Blake, you know only slow guys hang out at Oak Hill! |
Cataract2
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 - 06:52 pm: |
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Daves, curious, where is this Oak Hill you talk about? I know of one just north of me. |
Daves
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 - 06:54 pm: |
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Texas |
Madduck
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 - 08:41 pm: |
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Some of my favorited memories of the early 80's involve learning to really ride chasing an old coot ( mid 60"s) on an XLCR and an even older coot on a 77 triumph bonneville. I was on a 79 Suzuki GS1000. Every damn day we rode I learned more and more about racing and riding so much so that I just never seem to speed anymore.
XLCR was the favorite bike of Hank Reiman, Kewanee IL; hillclimber of some note and father of Roger Reiman three time Daytona 200 winner. Other old coot was Bill Tuman, Still hlds AMA records from the 50's. Those men were a different bread of rider. I am not nearly as fearless and have none of their god given talent to ride at that level. A good dose of humility early in your riding career makes you a lot safer.
Now that spring is coming I sometimes hear that siamese exhaust roar waking me up out of a sound sleep. Even tho Hank died in 2000 I sometimes hear the roar of that pipe as I am setting up for a corner, many times he would blow past some unsuspecting fool, like me, loved to startle inattentive riders. Brown pants were always a good choice if you were a friend of Hank. |
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