Some years back, about 2005, Mert Lawwill built a very limited edition street tracker. It was based on a Harley Sportster, but much of the original bike was tossed. Since only twenty were ever made they don’t show up for sale very often, but one’s available now.
The frame was completely rebuilt with 4130 Chrome Molly tubing, only the portion with the VIN was saved, along with the engine mounts. The swingarm was replaced with Mert’s own design, a dual swingarm and single shock that transfers weight completely different than a standard setup, forcing the front end down on acceleration, keeping the bike planted and enabling lots of throttle exiting the turns and on the start, wheelies are almost impossible. The forks are from a Buell.
The engine is now 1400cc and the heads are completely new, cast with the intake and exhaust ports on the opposite side from stock so the carbs and pipes are properly located to replicate the real XR750. The MegaCycle cams are custom made since the ports are reversed.
The “number plate” is actually the oil tank which had to be relocated due to shock placement. Excel rims with spokes and Brembo brakes on Maxxis tires complete the look.
These Lawwill trackers are about as sweet as they come. Not cheap, but the asking price is $37,000, which is what they were new and with 5400 miles, this one is pretty close to being new. It’s a nice opportunity for someone. If I had the spare change, I’d want this one myself.
Auction is over.
Pete says
Sweet!
If I win lotto I’ll buy it.
David says
How much is a kidney going for these days? I mean, I have two…..
Skizick says
Mert’s shifted on the right but I guess I could get used to the change. Wonder if my wife will notice the refi on the house??
OMMAG says
This is a great bike and I remember well when the bikes were first shown.
This bike is also the main reason I have ZERO respect for HD.
They could have paid Lawwill for the work he did and made this same bike instead of the continued stream of half-assed sportsters.
Steve says
Agreed. HD keeps selling their re-hashed Sporsters rather thancreating great bikes like this. Just ask Buell.
Mike the Bike says
Well said- you’ve covered it.
ark says
Can someone explain in technical detail the suspension or show some kind of diagram. It sounds really interesting and clearly put a lot of effort into it.
B*A*M*F says
I too would love a more in depth explanation of the rear suspension. It sounds quite clever.
FREEMAN says
Who better to ask about his design than the man himself?
Scotduke says
Looks nice and while the XR1200 is a good effort, this is better. I love the exhaust. But that price is more than a little outside what my pocket can manage.
Paul Crowe says
With bolt on tracker kits available, it would be easy for someone taking a quick glance to think it’s one of those, when in fact, this is completely re-engineered. While a Storz conversion, for instance, does a great job of improving the base Sportster, this simply turns it into a whole new bike.
As OMMAG implies, it’s impossible to understand HD decision making. This isn’t a sport bike outside their core, it’s a street tracker paying homage to their flat track heritage. When Mert Lawwill did this, it wasn’t in the recession, HD was flying high and could have done something similar or paid Lawwill and started building the Lawwill Sportster, kinda like a Shelby Mustang, instead we got the XR1200. Wouldn’t it be nice if HD had a flagship or halo bike in the lineup?
Nicolas says
HD like many other corporations is more than likely managed by bean counters who care about spreadsheets and 4-blockers, maybe “paying homage” was bringing the contribution margin down, even by a minimum value, and had no chance to happen … despite all the long term benefits in terms of image, reputation, gaining new/more customers, and so on … what counts is reporting good figures every quarter, nobody gives a damn about long term anymore ….
johnny ro says
Hey lets not give bean counters a bad name. I am one and if I was a decision maker at HD I would have gone all the way with Mert.
HD mgt is not about making good bikes. Its about catering to the legacy crowd.
B50 Jim says
I think the answer is simple: “Not Invented Here.” If it has someone’s name on it that isn’t “Harley” or “Davidson”, the Motor Company wants nothing to do with it — implies they don’t have the talent or guts to do it in-house, even if it is a fabulous machine that screams “H-D”.
ark says
Little explanation of the suspension system and why does the exhaust look like its blocked – whats with that?
Wave says
They’re SuperTrapps.
Ben says
How do you ride it without burning your leg? Asbestos pants?
MARK 5 says
want those heads! lol
Birdman says
Gee alot of effort has gone into this boat anchor..
Very cool.. we dont have sliders like this in Australia, but I’d love to have it..
finz56 says
The “Trackster” by H-D was first sent to France for testing. Then H-D put a 13k price tag on it. It’s still an old Sporty in a new dress. What do the French know about dirt tracks or the legendary racers.?
Mert, Dick, Gene, Jim Rice, Gary, Cal, Jim Odum, and every other racer of the day on the circuit could let the Motor Company know how it’s done. Like using blue and red Locktite on the whole bike.
Biongy suspension on the Trackster is my favorite. Maybe H-D could look at a Ducati Diaval and immitate their suspension. Or the KTM Duke.
Saw a Trackster with 3 foot tall ape hangers on it the other day. A new class for the Springfield mile?
deeter says
It’s interesting that Mert Lawwill first put this design of suspension on the Yeti mountain bike, and was credited with effectively ironing out the great problem of pedal-actuated suspension movement on a long-travel push-bike. http://www.vintagemtbworkshop.com/1998-yeti-dh-8.html
Seven years later he puts it on a moto. Great for racing, but pardon me: What’s the point of a streettracker that can’t pull wheelies!?
Mule says
If there is a problem with a Sportster or any Harley, I doubt that a huge rear suspension design in a new direction is where I would start the fix. First it would be trimming weight, then refining the suspension and finish it over with 15-20% more power. That in fact, makes for a pretty nice riding Sportster. Why Harleys refuses to do that ………? Perhaps it’s like so many mis-structured corporations. Components, engine, chassis and bodywork are all designed by separate departments that won’t talk to each other. No one person is overseeing or steering a complete concept/design. Or, that one guy is a knucklehead.