The Brooklyn based Team Obsolete may be best known for it's stunning MV Agusta collection, but there's a deep affection for Harley-Davidson racers too. Owner Rob Iannucci has one of the best collections in the world, including the ex-Cal Rayborn XR-750 machine that was brought out last year with Cal's son to lay down some parade laps on.
This year, it was back to business with TO regular rider Dave Roper, one of the fastest, most consistent winners on the vintage scene for the last couple of decades. But every now and then, even an experienced pilot like Dave can get caught out. Turn one at Mid Ohio is no joke. It's a blind apex left hand turn under the bridge at the end of the short front straight. Overnight rain had left the traction level dicey during the brief practice session Sunday morning. Dave had a low-side get off that he was able to walk away from and the bike was only lightly damaged.
Roper saw to it to amend the sign that was hastily tacked on the team's George Beale built Bennelli 350/4 replica when that machine also was damaged earlier in the weekend. A race fan knocked the bike off it's stand in the pits. Ouch !
" Cheep ! 1975 Harley 909 XRTT for sale" proclaimed the sign. It helps to have a sense of humor about these things.
Within an hours time the team was hard at work, getting the machine ready again for the next race.
What a brutish bike it is ! Jam packed with that booming V-Twin and a couple of enormous carbs hanging off the side. The other side sports two equally massive exhaust pipes up high for exceptional ground clearance.
The KR and the XR series of Harley-Davidson road racers are as American as it gets and proved their worth during their time in the late 1960's and 1970's. They are desirable and highly sought after collectibles too.
