XLCR Production Runs:

1977 - 1,923 Cafe Racers came out of the Milwaukee factory.
1978 - 1,201 Cafe Racers came out of the Milwaukee factory.
1979 - Only 9 Cafe Racers were manufactured. 

NOTE:
A few bikes were made in 1979 with left over parts from 1978. One source says there were 9 of these 1979 bikes and another says there were 10. 

Released in 1977 a total of 3,124 of these bikes were manufactured, selling for $3,595.00. Even though this model enjoyed modest commercial success, in aesthetic terms it was too advanced for its time. Now, collectors are constantly hunting for it, and its popularity has pushed its value much higher. Further from ordinary motorcycles than most of the Harleys, this model, the product of Willie G. Davidson's creative imaginations, was probably drawn from the famous English Cafe Racers of the 1960s, yet it is no mere imitation. 

The English is that of an XLCH, slightly improved and mounted on a duplex cradle frame, which was derived from the famous racing model, XR 750. The same frame served other Sportster models from 1979 on. Its caster angle was 29.35 degrees, and rear suspension was secured by three adjustable dampers. A classic telescopic fork supported two ten-inch disks, braked by new hydraulic calipers with simple pistons. The back drums, which still equipped the Sportster XLH and XLCH 1000 in 1977, was replaced with the same type of disk as in the front. Seven-spoke wheels made of a light alloy were meant to increase the Cafe Racer's sporty look. The position of the driver, determined by the small, flat handlebar; the controls, positioned further back; and the black elements in the chassis all highlighted this motorcycle's aggressive look. A small fork-head fairing, vaguely reminiscent of the Japanese style, ensured the rider's comfort. A tank solo-seat unit, with a four-gallon capacity, was added to the extension. All mechanical parts were black, including the twin exhaust pipe with mufflers on each side

A Keihn throttle carburetor with a return pump ensured the fuel supply of this 500-pound machine. With the high 9-to1 compression rate on the Xl and XLCH 1000 engines, the bare bore and stroke remained unchanged and the rebore dimensions produced the exact displacement of 61 cubic inches(997.5cc). In 1977, this Cafe Racer, running 61 horsepower at 6200 revolutions per minute and reaching a manufacturer's top sped of 120 miles per hour, was fast enough.   But the Cafe Racer was not a commercial success. In 1977, 1,923 Cafe Racers came out of the Milwaukee factory. In the following year, production dropped to 1,201. In 1979, only nine Cafe Racers were manufactured.