We ended 2024 with a Yamaha SR sliding sideways into the number one spot on our Top Ten Bikes of the Year, and it seems the theme of flat track racers for the road will continue ripping it up in style in 2025. When it comes to dirt track, there really is only one machine you can call Daddy, and it’s the all-conquering Harley-Davidson XR-750. The Brits and Japanese brands had thrown down the challenge, and the US response was one of their greatest achievements, with stunning looks to match its scintillating speed. The team at Gasoline Motor Co. in Sydney, Australia, had already built a brilliant modern take on that marvellous machine from the ’70s. So, to up their game and bring the classic bike thundering into the 21st century, they’ve built this, the GAS XR750 Flat Track Replica – Black Edition.
The big black warehouse that is Gasoline Motor Co. is a custom motorcycle nirvana, filled with endless brilliant bikes, parts, and apparel. Founded by Jason Leppa, the talented crew, which includes Sean Taylor and Kevin Warschewski, had previously built another XR750 Replica, which was a massive hit around the world. It blew up the internet, featured on the front cover of some of the biggest bike magazines globally, and meant that, to go one better this time, the team could leave no stone unturned. “The GAS XR is a tribute to the legendary Harley-Davidson XR-750, one of the most iconic and successful flat-track racers of all time. This replica captures the essence of the original dirt track racer while seamlessly incorporating modern enhancements for road use,” says Jason.
The unique powerplant of the original racer and its matching frame are rare and expensive pieces of kit these days, and not at all suitable for a custom project, let alone one built for road use. So, the obvious starting point is a more modern Sportster, with the main chassis suitable for almost any application, and the engine a great starting point for more power. The idea behind the engine build was nothing extreme; simply to capture the performance of the original but with modern reliability. But first, the 883 motor came in for a serious visual overhaul, with the entire engine polished to absolute perfection, and the air filter cover giving that classic vibe.
To increase the horsepower, that cover is stuffed with a Flowmaster filter element, known for its excellent breathing capabilities. On the other side of the combustion process, the custom-made exhaust system is a thing of beauty, with the lines of the pipes running parallel to both the bottom of the engine and the swingarm at the rear. You don’t have to look hard to see how much time and effort went into this part of the build, and the subtle slash-cut tips deliver a hell of a sound. To get it all running right, a DynoJet Power Vision 4 makes tuning a breeze, and a chain conversion with a new HBB sprocket gets the gearing spot on for the street.
Having sorted out the powerplant, the looks and handling department first required that the rear subframe be cut off. An all-new piece was fabricated from scratch and gives the short flat track profile, with high mounts for the rear suspension. The whole piece has been powder-coated black to match the frame, and then a custom set of 15-inch YSS shocks completes the rear. Up front, a full conversion was performed to allow for the fitment of a genuine Harley Narrow Glide front fork setup. These have been topped with a custom set of stainless handlebars, all polished up by the fab man to match the new shiny front end.
These really set the tone for the look, but you need more than a set of bars to make a sporty look like an XR, and that gorgeous tank comes from Phil Little Racing in the USA. The sleek and simple good looks belie the fact that it’s not a simple conversion, with the modern fuel-injected bike requiring a bunch of parts to make it all work. A host of high-end ProFlow fittings and lines are used to run the external Bosch fuel pump, as well as the regulator and filter. The iconic silhouette of the tail is the other big transformation in the visual department and topped with a quality leather seat, form and function combine to make a perfect mix.
Back to fabrication, and the fully custom-built oil tank is a work of art, mimicking the look of the original XR but also providing a neat hiding place for the ECM. The battery is hidden in the same fashion on the other side of the bike, and despite the clean, race bike looks, this machine packs a host of modern electronics that are all very well hidden. The loom and electronic control box are all custom and allow for fully integrated ABS braking, keyless start, and an immobiliser for security. To keep that clean theme running, the team went with a Kellermann mini dual-function indicator package, as well as a smart LED number plate to keep the boys in blue happy.
At the front of the bike, more clever work keeps the flat track racer-meets-functionality theme flowing flawlessly, with a set of Koso mini headlights mounted into the race plate, fabricated by a local to the area. The cockpit itself is kept minimal, with Kustom Tech aluminium controls, a Prism Supply Co. throttle, and a Motogadget speedo mounted neatly into the upper bar clamp. To finish out the build, aluminium spoked rims are wrapped in Firestone rubber, and the paint job is simply perfect, with custom graphics to show off the Gas XR name. It took the crew 12 months to complete the build, but having mastered the process, they’re expecting to take plenty of orders for their bad-ass XR Black Edition.
