Top left: The very successful and highly collectable XR750
Bottom left: The XR750 was one of Evel Knievel’s favourite motorcycles
Right: Marlon Brando with Triumph in ‘The Wild One’
the inaugural Daytona 200 in 1961. The
750cc motor produced 50bhp at 6000rpm,
with a top speed of 130mph (209 km/h).
Success in racing was one way to counter
the belief that Harleys couldn’t compete
with European machines when it came to
handling, braking, and the challenge of
winding roads.
In 1957 Harley released the Sportster XL,
an 883cc, 40bhp V-twin with a top speed
of 163km/h, just three years after Marlon
Brando rode a British Triumph in the
iconic American movie ’The Wild One’. It
was another 15-years before an American
motorcycle became the star of the hit
movie ‘Easy Rider’ in 1969. So famous was
the Harley chopper, Captain America,
that the original was stolen and never
recovered. A replica was built and presides
in the Chandler Vintage Museum.
In 1950 the British Royal Enfield company
had bought Indian, and assembled the last
Indian Chiefs in 1953. Harley Davidson was
left as the only American company of note
making motorcycles. Racing became even
more important in the 1960s and when
AMA rules allowed Japanese and European
manufacturers and riders to compete at
American events such as Daytona, Harley-
Davidson accepted the challenge.
Sharing your passion
facebook.com/CaffeineAndClassics
KIWI RIDER 81