This Harley XRTT Is a Dirt Track Legend

Street-Legal Tribute

Harley-Davidson is largely known for building comfy, stylish cruisers and tourers these days, but to ignore the iconic company's motorsports success would be doing it a major disservice. For years, Harley found quite a bit of it in the world of dirt track racing, and that's precisely what this custom-built 1991 Harley XRTT street machine formerly sold by Mecum Auctions is designed to pay homage to.

Photos: Mecum Auctions

Start of a Legend

In the midst of its successful dirt track endeavors, Harley launched the OHV XR back in 1970 as a way to keep that success going. The TT part of the name refers to "Tourist Trophy," or road racing, and these bikes went on to enjoy great success in both the U.S. and the UK with legends such as Mert Lawwill and Cal Rayborn piloting them to podium after podium.

Photos: Mecum Auctions

Big Tranformation

This particular bike actually started life as a 1991 Sportster, but little of that remains. To transform it into a proper XRTT tribute, the bike's frame was powder coated, while Paioli forks were added, along with 18-inch wheels at both ends. 

Photos: Mecum Auctions

Nod to the Past

From there, the previous owner added OMP controls on the handlebars and Storz foot controls, and there's even a cafe fairing that hasn't yet been installed, but is actually a nod to Harley's XRTT tribute styling exercise from the late 1970s - an XLCH café-style build.

Photos: Mecum Auctions

Impressive Powerplant

Perhaps the real story here, however, is this bike's powerplant - a brand new S&S 100/120 with serial number 0000001, which is topped with a 45 Mikuni carburetor. It sends power to the rear wheel via a Zipper's Zip-Rack five-speed transmission, and we imagine that combination is a hoot to lean into.

Photos: Mecum Auctions

Stopping Power

The S&S engine breathes through a stainless steel SuperTrapp exhaust - likely sounding quite pleasing to the ears - and has just 450 pounds to move down the road. Of course, this kind of power warrants a brake upgrade as well, and this bike gets it in the form of upgraded brakes with four-piston calipers from Harley itself.

Photos: Mecum Auctions

Pleasing Result

This build was completed, test miles added, and then it was posted for sale, where it hammered for $27,500. To us, that seems like a pretty fair price given how much time went into the build, as well as the high-quality parts that adorn it. Plus, who doesn't want a street-legal version of one of the coolest racing bikes of all time?

Photos: Mecum Auctions

>>Join in the conversation about this Harley XRTT right here in Harley-Davidson Forums.

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