The origins and the official history of this model are lost. According to Tom Bolfert, Harley-Davidson company 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."
The differences between the XLT and its sister models included a larger fuel tank (from an FX Super Glide), a larger, more-padded saddle, touring handlebars, and a higher geared final drive. Windshield and saddlebags were standard equipment.
Mine was originally used by the factory as a police demonstrator. It was painted Birch White, had no tank decals, and carried a luggage rack in addition to the stock saddlebags. Later it was released for sale to Suburban Motors, Grafton, Wisconsin, where I bought it in December, 1978 - repainted Chevy Chevelle green. (See H-D's Sportster-based police bike for 2003.) No XLT is known to have been put into law enforcement service.
We know that many of these bikes were stripped of their bags and windshield by dealers, and sold as Sportsters at deep discount prices.
One of the few contemporary descriptions of the bike found so far 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.)
Thanks to Terry Blair, we now have a May 1977 Road Rider magazine ride review of the XLT. Link to it below. It reads like most Harley reviews of the time - looking for something nice to say, often damning with faint praise. From experience, most of the observations ring true. Unlike today's riders, those of even a few years ago needed to have some facility with hand tools for regular owner maintenance, if not roadside service. NOBODY took their machines to dealers for oil changes and chain adjustments! When it broke, you fixed it.
Having recently returned mine to running order, I found parts were available after searching. Several dealers, notably Doug's H-D (Florence, SC), Zepka H-D (Johnstown, PA), and Lancaster H-D (Willow Street, PA), proved helpful. Other suppliers who did me good: J&P Cycles, Iron Eagle, and MotorcycleUSA.com. E-bay is also a fair source of odd parts - and this model carries a few.
The XLT Owners Group is dedicated to preserving these H-D rarities, giving owners a chance to meet and exchange information. If interested, please contact me through the e-mail account below. There are no dues or other charges involved.
- Brian Boettcher
Original MSRP: $3,500
Current NADA Book Value (7/03): $5,775
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
Carburator
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 - but I
happen to know it goes faster!
