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Harley Davidson History 1970-1980
1970 In consideration of new AMA rules for Class
C racing, a new Sportster®-based motorcycle, the XR-750 racer is
introduced.
On the Bonneville salt flats near Wendover, Utah, racer Cal Rayborn breaks
the world record for land speed set by a motorcycle. The vehicle is a
sixteen foot streamliner powered by a single Sportster engine, and
averages just over 265 mph.
1971 In response to the customizing craze, Harley-Davidson
introduces the FX 1200 Super Glide®, which combined a sporty front end
(similar to that of the XL series) with the frame and powertrain of the FL
series. A new class of motorcycle, the cruiser, is born.
First year of Harley-Davidson snowmobile production.
1972 The new, more powerful, more reliable aluminum alloy XR-750
debuts. It becomes the dominant dirt track racer through the next three
decades. Dirt track racer Mark Brelsford wins the AMA Grand National
Championship on the XR-750 this year.
1973 Motorcycle production is upgraded when all assembly operations
are moved to a modern 400,000 square foot plant in York, Penn. All other
production operations remain in Milwaukee and Tomahawk. The Capitol Drive
plant in Milwaukee begins production of engines.
1975 The first of four more consecutive years of Harley-Davidson
AMA Grand National Championships in dirt track racing. Gary Scott wins in
1975. The following three years are won by racing legend Jay Springsteen.
1977 Harley-Davidson introduces the FXS Low Rider® to the public in
Daytona Beach. With drag style handlebars, unique engine and paint
treatments, the Low Rider lives up to its name by placing the rider in a
lowered seating position than was typical. Later in the same year, Willie
G. Davidson's dynamic version of the Sportster, the Cafe Racer, is
released.
1979 Introduction of the FXEF Fat Bob, "Fat" because of the dual
gas tanks, "Bob" for the bobbed fenders.
Return to the Harley
Davidson History Index
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