Hall of Fame: 1969 Harley-Davidson KR750

On paper, Harley-Davidson’s KR750 wasn’t the most technologically advanced bike you’d see on a racetrack in 1969.

In fact, the KR was hardly revolutionary when it was introduced in 1952. While the new machine did offer a foot shift and a hand clutch—an update from the tank-shift WR it replaced—it was still powered by a 1930s-era side valve engine.

But looks can be deceiving. For 12 of the first 13 years of the AMA’s Grand National Championship series, which began in 1954, Harley KRs held off technically superior bikes from Triumph, BSA, Matchless and Norton to claim the series title.

By the late ’60s, however, the KR was nearing the end of its lifespan. When Gary Nixon won the championship in 1967 and ’68 on a Triumph, Harley was already looking ahead to the future.

But first, this KR, in the hands of Mert Lawwill, would get one last shot at the 500cc British bikes.

The machine was designed with a rigid rear end, but by 1969, Lawwill was using a custom frame featuring dual rear shocks and a steeper steering-head angle to make the 377-pound bike turn more quickly.

The combination was good for four victories that season, allowing Lawwill to add one last championship to the KR string. To cap it off, Lawwill even won the final race of the year—and the final Grand National race of the long KR era.

This historic racing machine, acquired by Al Bergstrom, is on display at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio.