16th January, 2014
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MOTORBIKE PRESENTATION: The Harley-Davidson is presented to Pope Francis in June, 2013. PICTURE: L”Osservatore Romano. |
One of two Harley-Davidson motorcycles given as a gift to Pope Francis will be auctioned for charity next month.
The 1585cc Harley Davidson Dyna Super Glide was presented to the Pope to mark the iconic US company’s 110th anniversary in June last year. He subsequently donated the bike to charity and it will now be auctioned on 6th February with all proceeds going to Caritas Roma.
They will use the funds to renovate the Don Luigi di Liegro hostel and soup kitchen located at Rome’s Termini railway station. The hostel, which opened 30 years ago, provides food and accommodation to more than 1,000 people a day.
The bike is worth an estimated €12,000 to €15,000 (about $AUD18,320-$AUD22,900). The Pope signature is on the fuel tank with the signing taking place at a special ceremony in the Vatican in November and the bike also comes with a "certificate of conformity" from Harley Davidson.
Bonhams will auction the motorbike as part of its Les Grandes Marques du Monde sale taking place at the Grand Palais in Paris next month.
“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," says Ben Walker, head of motorcycles at the London-based auction house.
– DAVID ADAMS
