Bike of the Month
May 2024
1983 Harley-Davidson XR 1000
By Rodd Lighthouse

As I have previously written, my father was almost exclusively into British motorcycles when I was young. That trend lasted until 1983 when he purchased his first Harley-Davidson Sportster XLX. The Sportster was a clean, no frills, nice looking machine that sold for less than $5,000. Dad really enjoyed the little HD which started a new obsession. Within a year of purchasing the XLX, he purchased a 1983 Harley-Davidson XR 1000.

Dad was an avid dirt track fan and really appreciated Harley’s XR 750 racers. The top end of the XR 1000 is very similar, if not a copy of the XR 750 externally, and Dad had to have one. Ultimately, this worked to my benefit.

Dad ended up preferring the XLX to the XR. Although neither bike was a touring machine, he ended up doing a fair amount of traveling on the XLX. Home from college during the summer, I was able to go riding with Dad and I got to ride the XR, which at the time, I really enjoyed.

A couple of years later, Dad graduated to a Harley Low Rider and the Sportsters (XLX and XR) were sold. As was typical with my father, he loved to reminisce which naturally led to him regretting selling his Sportsters.

Fast forward 35 years, Dad ran across an XR for sale. Now somewhat of a collectors item, Dad paid significantly more for his new used XR than the bike he purchased in 1983.

Due to declining health, Dad never got to enjoy his new XR before he passed away. As the executor of Dad’s estate, my sister agreed for me to acquire the XR, the bike shown in the photo below. In 2023, I decided to get it running.

I am not certain, but the XR appeared to have some performance work done to it and it seemed to run better than the XR that I rode in 1984. As much as I appreciate the XR, especially the engine, it wasn’t meant to be. I am not nearly as flexible as I was 40 years ago, and my back aches just thinking of bending over. I decided to put the XR on the chopping block. It was sad to see the it go, but I was grateful for the opportunity to ride an XR again.