Harley-Davidson WR 750 Factory Racer

Dirt Racer

Introduced in 1941, the Harley-Davidson WR 750 was a factory-built dirt track racer. The WR came about after the AMA introduced Class C racing for 750cc production-based motorcycles in 1937. As a purpose-built machine, the WR had one mission — to beat the Indian Scout at speedways across America.

Road Racer

The WRTT racer was the road racing version of the WR. The central difference was that the WRTT had front and rear brakes. The WR did not have brakes as it was intended for closed dirt track circuits. Additionally, the WRTT also sported a set of bobbed front and back fenders, and footboards.

>>Join the conversation about the Harley WR 750 right here in HDForums.com.

Everyday Thrills

Suggesting an aerodynamic riding position, the WRTT models had a chin pad where a speedometer would have been mounted. Both of Harley-Davidson's factory racers were based on standard roadsters with the Flathead Model WL engine. Since Class C racing was open to production models, AMA-sanctioned, national-level racing was now an affordable option for the everyday enthusiast.

Photo courtesy of Bike Bound

>>Join the conversation about the Harley WR 750 right here in HDForums.com.

Tried and True

Previously produced in 1929 as the Model D, the Model W arrived in 1937. The WL had a redesigned motor with roller bearings throughout the engine and a recirculating oil system. The WL motor stands as the longest production-run motor for Harley-Davidson. After thirty-six years, service in WW2 as the WLA, the venerable Flathead motor powered Servi-cars until 1973.

Photo courtesy of NZ Classic Motorcycles

>>Join the conversation about the Harley WR 750 right here in HDForums.com.

Hot 45

The WR and WRTT were produced in limited numbers from 1941 to 1952 by the Harley-Davidson race department. The WR's power plant was based on the Flathead WL, better known as the '45,' referring to its cubic inch capacity. The WR and WRTT motors were upgraded with hotter cams, flat tappets, lightened flywheels, oversized valves, large finned cylinders and heads, a Linkert carburetor, and a Wico Magneto.

Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions

>>Join the conversation about the Harley WR 750 right here in HDForums.com.

Big Twin Tech

WR racers were hand-shift with a rocker-style foot clutch hooked to a 3-speed transmission with a drum shifter cam. The 45s had a hidden advantage as they benefited from trickle-down technology from the Big Twins of the day. Along with the recirculating oil system, other improvements to the lubrication system included a vane-type dry sump oil pump driven off the rear cam.

>>Join the conversation about the Harley WR 750 right here in HDForums.com.

WR Winner

By 1948, the WR ruled the speedways. That year, Harley-Davidson won nineteen out of the twenty-three national AMA events, including Daytona in which seven of the top 10 finishers rode WR factory machines. In 1950 Larry Headrick, riding a WR sorted by legendary tuner Tom Sifton, won all three AMA national mile races to gain the coveted No. 1 plate.

Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions

>>Join the conversation about the Harley WR 750 right here in HDForums.com.

Solo Mandate

Indian Motorcycle went bankrupt in 1953 and the rivalry with Harley-Davidson that had started in the early 1920s was over. History has a way of repeating. In 2016, the new Indian Motorcycle company, under the guidance of parent-company Polaris, introduced the all-new Scout FTR750 and proceeded to dominate the 2017 season of flat track racing. Just as in 1937, Harley-Davidson again has one racing mandate — beat the Indian Scout 750.

>>Join the conversation about the Harley WR 750 right here in HDForums.com.

For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our How-to section in the Forum.