Buell RR1000R by Steve Ledsham.

Our friend Steve Ledsham, who owns the Buell RR1000 Lucifer's Hammer II, has realized this article for bikeexif.com including a detailed description of the unique characteristics of this wonderful motorbike and some enthralling pictures taken by Damian Mcfadden.


At present, Steve is restoring his RR1000 to re-establish, as far as possible, the bike's original features and to put Lucifer's Hammer back on track the way it was thought and realized to be used in the AMA-BoTT championship.

This RR1000 is the only existing and circulating original Lucifer's Hammer II in the world, it is the first Harley Davidson powered bike, featuring Buell brand name on the fuel tank. This motorbike made a start on a 25 year-long adventure that involved tens of thousands of bikers. A motorbike whose value can hardly be estimated.

...well, this piece of motorcycling history cannot be found in any museum, as it is owned by a collector and a real enthusiast... to tell the truth... maybe this is the best fate a motorbike could deserve... Thank you Steve.

This is a beast with a convoluted history. It’s one of just three racing RR1000s produced by Erik Buell before the road version was released in the late 80s. The story starts with the Harley Owners Group, which asked Buell to make a chassis for a race bike using the Harley-Davidson XR engine: the rise in engine capacity from 750 to 1000cc for AMA BoTT racing had made the XR750 uncompetitive against most European high-performance motorcycles. So Buell designed an XR1000-powered bike with racing in mind. It appeared in 1986 and was known as “Lucifer’s Hammer II”, or more formally, the RR1000.

The RR1000 was a very small bike, with a wheelbase of only 136cm and a steering head angle of 25 degrees. It rolled on 16” magnesium wheels and Marzocchi M1R or WP upside-down forks, with the rear suspension placed under the engine. The engine is positioned high and forward, and mounted in the chassis using a ‘Uniplaner’ system designed to isolate the chassis from vibrations. The bike has a dry weight of 180kg, a 55° maximum angle of lean, and a maximum speed recorded at Daytona of about 280kph.

Engine: XR1000-based engine with cutaway timing case giving access to the oil pump (high delivery type) and later primary cases which are better for racing (narrower). The crankcases have been strengthened in the usual places. The crankshaft has been reworked and now has race connecting rods from Carrillo.

XR cylinder heads have been reworked with twin plugs, ported with bigger titanium valves angled at 60 degrees and operated by roller cam followers, pushrods and rocker arms. Gases are supplied by two 40mm Mikuni flat slide carburettors. The gases are carried away by a Buell “works” exhaust system.

Each cylinder barrel has been lightened and a “Gilardoni” forged piston fitted (intended for a Ducati). The motor has a displacement of 997.10 cc. with 81mm bore X 96.80mm stroke, and four Storz camshafts with eccentric adjustment. Gearbox is standard but carefully assembled. A modified XR clutch and chain primary are fitted. The engine running on race fuel (115 octane) produces 94HP, with incredible delivery due to an almost flat torque curve.

Chassis: Buell RR1000 chassis none VIN and preproduction. The rear swing arm is of the type designed by Erik Buell for the Pirelli radial tyre in 1986. It’s approximately 50mm longer than the road RR1000 swing arm. Forks are very special 42 mm upside-down Ohlins: these are the rare early type used by many of the GP and WSB teams in the late 80s. Rear shock is Ohlins fully adjustable.

Other Chassis Parts: The fairing was made of composite material especially for this RR1000. The fuel tank is handmade and alloy, produced by Giancarlo Berti. The engine oil tank was also made specifically and placed under the saddle, while the original version was positioned at the front under the engine.

All linkages, fittings and brackets are handmade for this bike.

L'amico Steve Ledsham, attuale proprietario della Buell RR1000 Lucifer's Hammer II, ha realizzato questo editoriale per BIKEEXIF con la descrizione dettagliata delle caratteristiche uniche di questa magnifica motocicletta accompagnata da immagini altrettanto coinvolgenti realizzate da Damian Mcfadden.

Attualmente Steve è impegnato nel "restauro" della sua RR1000 per ripristinare il più possibile l'originalità del mezzo e riportare in pista la Lucifer's Hammer così come era stata pensata e realizzata per essere utilizzata nell'AMA-BoTT.

Questa RR1000 è l'unica originale LHII esistente e circolante al mondo, è la prima due ruote motorizzata Harley Davidson a riportare sul serbatoio il nome Buell, con questa moto è iniziata un'avventura durata 25 anni che ha coinvolto decine di migliaia di motociclisti, una due ruote dal valore storico difficilmente stimabile......beh, questo pezzo di storia motociclistica non si trova in nessun museo ma è di proprietà di un collezionista e di un appassionato vero...a pensarci bene è la sorte migliore che possa capitare ad una moto. Grazie Steve.