GAS XR CUSTOM
Step back to the race and riot of the 1970s with this gleaming GAS XR Custom – a replica Harley XR750 flat-track racer. The preferred weapon of choice for the all-time daredevil performer, Evel Knievel. This legend attempted more than 75 ramp-to-ramp motorcycle jumps over cars, busses, even the snake river canyon. With his XR750, Knievel was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999.
One of the worlds most iconic motorcycles of all time, with over 50 years of wins, has been rebuilt by Gasoline Motor Co. using the engine and half a chassis from a modern 883 Sportster. The GAS XR exudes dirt track glory days of the original torque-pig racer, but with road-registrable additions like LED headlights, a mini indicator package along with ABS brakes, an extensive custom electronic fuel injection system, and the list goes on. The premium components make it a joy to ride and feels completely modern with impeccable standards of fine details.
AMA Standards Typical flat tracker calls for a set of 19" x 4" wheels, custom aluminium rims, stainless spokes and nipples with the original ABS bearing custom fitted. For a vintage appeal, we’ve opted for Firestone rubber – more than capable at full throttle sideways flat out racing on a dirt track.
A Ceriani style front fork and triple tree incorporates a matching Motogadget riser clamp, overhauled with a Monotube fork cartridge kit. Wide stainless steel handlebars were shaped and polished by Kansai Giant (who played a big part in the fabrication of this machine). Squeezed onto the minimal handlebar setup is a Prism Supply Co. single cable throttle, Kustom Tech Classic polished aluminium hand controls, Polished Kustom Tech brake reservoir and a motogadget speedometer, warning lights, grips and push button switches (which were stripped and polished to match the glassy chrome).
The performance power of a stock Sportster welcomes performance upgrades like a final drive chain conversion geared up for the streets secured with a HHB sprocket locker, a Vance & Hines fuel pack, an S&S air filter and a set of custom bent slash cut pipes, a replica shape from the 1970’s. The little fuel tank was made by Phil Little – who is a fibreglass legend in the motorcycle industry. The tank is so little in fact, that an external fuel pump needed to be custom-mounted with and fuel pressure regulator and ProFlow fuel fittings.
With all of the new electrics and technology, we created a front-to-back wiring harness with a push button control module, utilising the OEM body control module & ECU. The ABS, keyless & immobiliser systems were kept in place. The control module is also connected to the Kellermann dual-function rear turn signals, Atto Dark front turn signals and a LED light bar under the race plate. The traditional custom front race plate with vital electrical components hidden behind in a 3D printed housing box.
The most challenging components of the build were the subframe and rear shocks. The original subframe was modified to work with the tail piece and a set of 15” YSS rear shocks. A fresh powder coat hides all evidence of a subframe mod. Our favourite feature is an intricately handmade oil tank – an exact replica of the 70s original machine.
The Harley-Davidson XR-750 dominated in dirt track competitions right up into the twenty first century. From its’ introduction in 1972 until 2008, the XR-750 won 29 of 37 AMA Grand National Championships in the USA. The HD XR-750 concurred more wins than any other motorcycle in AMA racing history and earned itself the reputation of being the “most successful race bike of all time”. This replica was built for a customer who wanted to honour its’ glorious history, but make it beyond functional for road use. What appears to be a mint-condition historic machine is actually the past reimagined with an astounding level technical precision, by the Gasoline Motor Co. workshop, led by Sean Taylor & Jason Leppa.
Photos by Adrian Veale.
