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Harley-Davidson XLT
The 1977 Harley-Davidson XLT is one of the rarest post-war Harley-Davidson models, with only 1,099 built in one year of production. Only one fully correct example is known to exist.

Harley-Davidson offered a touring Sportster into the 70s. These "Baby Dressers" were accessorized as special orders by the factory. None carried a unique model designation until the XLT. {| class="wikitable"

According to Tom Bolfert, Harley-Davidson archivist, "The 1977 XLT was not a standard production model. Consequently, we have virtually no information on it.  It does not appear in the literature or even on the retail price list." Speculation is that the model was produced for two purposes: For European sales in the growing sport touring segment, and for law enforcement as a more fuel efficient alternative to the larger Electra-Glide.

The differences between the XLT and its sister Sportster models included a larger 3.5 gallon fuel tank (the origin of which many attribute to Harley's Italian-made Sprint 350 model), a more-padded saddle, "buckhorn" touring handlebars, and a higher ratio final drive. A Compact Windshield and hard saddlebags were also standard equipment. The Harley-Davidson sales brochure highlights such other features as a calibrated carburetor, scavenging 2-into-1 exhaust system, and 3-way adjustable shock absorbers.

One XLT is known to have been put in law enforcement service, having first been demo-ed by the Pittsburgh PD, and later sold to the Upper St. Claire (PA) PD. It saw service into the 1980s.

It appears, given that all the known ride review articles come from the European press, that the XLT was targeted to the overseas market. While Harley Davidson's own archives are bare, the only known sales brochure was published by the company's international sales organization, which operated apart from the American firm as an official resale agent.

One of the few contemporary descriptions of the bike is an article in Motor Cycle Mechanic, a British magazine, dated June 1977. It concludes, "In terms of performance alone the XLT could never be worth two and a quarter thousand pounds (about $4,500), and yet this living legend has an indefinable magic that no other bike possesses." (BTW, a 1977 Honda Goldwing sold for 1600 pounds, about $3,200.)

In the United States, sales were tepid. To move them from their inventory, dealers stripped many of these machines of their bags and windshield, and sold them as deeply discounted Sportsters.

1977 XLT Specifications:

Engine: 45 Degree V-Twin OHV Displacement: 997.5 cc/60.9 c.i. Compression Ratio: 9.1:1 Output: 61 bhp at 6200 rpm Carburation: Single 38mm Keihin Carburetor Ignition: Mechanical Points and Condenser Fuel Capacity: 3.5 gal. Oil Tank Capacity: 5.8 pints Electric Starter only

Transmission: Four-speed gearbox, Chain final drive Gear Ratios: 1st: 10.63; 2nd: 7.70; 3rd: 5.87; 4th: 4.22

Chassis: Wheelbase: 58.5 inches Length: 87.3 inches Weight: 578 lbs. (w/fluids) Castor: 61 degrees Trail: 4.53 inches Brakes: (Front) 11.5 inch single disc (Rear) 8.0 inch drum Tires: (Front) 3.75 x 19 Yokohama with Tube (Rear) 4.25 x 18 Yokohama with Tube

Standing Quarter Mile: 14.2 seconds at 92 mph Top Speed: 110 mph claimed.