Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was once given to Pope Francis by the manufacturer is to go on sale next month in Paris, a British auction house said yesterday
The 1,585cc Dyna Super Glide was given to the Pope in June to mark the 110th anniversary of the US motorbike maker, London-based auctioneer Bonhams said.
The pontiff was given two bikes and a leather jacket by Harley Davidson to celebrate their 110th anniversary. File pic/AFP
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The bike, which is signed by Pope Francis on the petrol tank, is expected to fetch between $16,400 (Rs 10 lakh) and $20,500 (Rs 13 lakh) when it goes on sale at the Grand Palais in Paris on February 6. Bonhams will also be auctioning off a Harley-Davidson 110th anniversary leather motorcycle jacket, size XL, signed by Francis.
The funds from the sale will go towards the restoration of Don Luigi di Liegro hostel and soup kitchen based in Rome. The hostel provides food and accommodation for more than 1,000 poor and homeless, people each day.
“We are incredibly honoured to be selling this item on behalf of Caritas Roma,” said Ben Walker, head of motorcycles at Bonhams. “We hope to be able to do both Pope Francis and Harley-Davidson proud by raising a significant amount of money for a very worthy cause.” The Pope is not thought to have ridden the Harley.
Nothing too fancy
The Pope has continued to surprise many with his show of humility and he continues to do so after giving up the use of the famous Popemobile, which was a Mercedes-Benz, and now it seems his latest ride will be a 30-year-old Renault 4 with 186,000 miles on the clock. The Pope has continually shown his simple tastes. Even on the night of his election as Pope, Francis declined the use of the famous bulletproof papal Mercedes limousine, and instead travelled by minibus with the cardinals
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