Harley-Davidson Sprint CR

Technical Details

Year Built : 1968 Engine : 250 cc OHV Transmission : 5-Speed ( Type 5B ) Dry clutch Electrics : Bendix Scintilla half-speed magneto with points Notable Features : In early 1968 this Sprint CR was raced in the first AMA National Short Track event held in Houston's Astrodome. Its rider Dennis Schoenfeldt was affiliated with the Houston Harley dealership owned by Harry Stelter. Sometime later the track bike was sold to Ed Williams in Pasadena, Texas. Williams & his son then participated in local races, Weekly events were held at the Circle 8 Rodeo Arena in Aldine, Texas and Ed stated there were many successful results. I purchased the machine in early 1972 and have owned it ever since, Today the motor # U-541 is installed in a frame which was Harley's latest & greatest version produced for the 1969 season, Running gear is all standard-issue from the H-D catalog : Ceriani fork, Spool hub wheels with Borrani alloy rims, and a fiberglass tank. This one was certainly used to learn the ropes. Tuning, testing, and fitting uprated parts was an ongoing affair, The Dellorto 30 mm carb became a 35 mm model, Lake injectors were developed and a 32 mm device was purchased, On a " parking lot dyno " it ran as good as anything made but elsewhere dirt being kicked-up tended to jam the fuel tube, Not liking the throttle slide to hang wide-open on the brakeless bike led to the Lake being removed, Next a Mikuni 34 mm was rigged but the manifold proved troublesome so back to the OE Dellorto, Engine mods were mainly limited to normal maintenance but an improved L-1 cam replaced the early H grind, A handful of different exhausts were tried until settling on the pipe made for the L-1 cam. Using a 35 mm carb, L-1 cam, and correct pipe allows the short-stroke motor to rev over 12,000 RPM. That's too fast for a push rod motor but I've seen tach readings as high as 12,400 without damaging the valve train.

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