Pope's Harley Davidson smashes expectations at Paris auction

Yahoo News

February 7, 2014 at 6:59 AM

The 2013 Harley DavidsonSuper Glide Custom A 1,585cc Harley-Davidson Dyna Super Glide, donated to Pope Francis last year and signed by him on its tank, is displayed ahead of Bonham's sale of vintage and classic cars, at the Grand Palais in Paris, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014. The bike will be sold at auction to help raise funds for a soup kitchen and hostel for the homeless in Rome. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

The 1,585 cc Harley Davidson Dyna Super Glide, donated to Pope Francis last year and signed by him on its tank, is displayed as part of Bonham's Les Grandes Marques du Monde vintage and classic cars sale at the Grand Palais in Paris, February 5, 2014. Signed "Francesco" on its tank, the motorcycle, to be auctioned for charity in Paris on February 6, has an unusual owner - Pope Francis. The Pope will sell his Harley Davidson to raise funds for Caritas Roma, a charity working on behalf of the church, auctioneer Bonhams said. (REUTERS/Benoit Tessier)

Auction officers on the phone during the auction of the 2013 Harley Davidson Super Glide Custom A 1,585cc which was donated to Pope Francis last year, in Paris, Thursday Feb. 6, 2014. Pope Francis' Harley-Davidson is hitting the road after an unspecified European buyer agreed to pay 241,500 euros ($327,000) including taxes and fees for the motorcycle at a Paris auction to benefit charity. The Bonhams auction house said the telephone buyer agreed to pay far more than the expected pre-sale price of more than 12,000 euros ($16,000) at the auction at Paris' Grand Palais. (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon)

Auctioneers Catherine Yaiche , right, and assistant Malcom Barber Bidders sell the 2013 Harley Davidson Super Glide Custom A 1,585cc which was donated to Pope Francis last year, in Paris, Thursday Feb. 6, 2014. Pope Francis' Harley-Davidson is hitting the road after an unspecified European buyer agreed to pay 241,500 euros ($327,000) including taxes and fees for the motorcycle at a Paris auction to benefit charity. The Bonhams auction house said the telephone buyer agreed to pay far more than the expected pre-sale price of more than 12,000 euros ($16,000) at the auction at Paris' Grand Palais. (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon)

Cameramen shoot the 1,585 cc Harley Davidson Dyna Super Glide, donated to Pope Francis last year and signed by him on its tank, which is displayed as part of Bonham's Les Grandes Marques du Monde vintage and classic cars sale at the Grand Palais in Paris, February 5, 2014. Signed "Francesco" on its tank, the motorcycle, to be auctioned for charity in Paris on February 6, has an unusual owner - Pope Francis. The Pope will sell his Harley Davidson to raise funds for Caritas Roma, a charity working on behalf of the church, auctioneer Bonhams said. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier (FRANCE - Tags: TRANSPORT SOCIETY RELIGION MEDIA)

Pope Francis signature is seen on the tank of his 1,585 cc Harley Davidson Dyna Super Glide which is displayed as part of Bonham's Les Grandes Marques du Monde vintage and classic cars sale at the Grand Palais in Paris, February 5, 2014. Signed "Francesco" on its tank, the motorcycle, to be auctioned for charity in Paris on February 6, has an unusual owner - Pope Francis. The Pope will sell his Harley Davidson to raise funds for Caritas Roma, a charity working on behalf of the church, auctioneer Bonhams said. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier (FRANCE - Tags: TRANSPORT SOCIETY RELIGION)

The 2013 Harley DavidsonSuper Glide Custom A 1,585cc Harley-Davidson Dyna Super Glide, donated to Pope Francis last year and signed by him on its tank, is displayed ahead of Bonham's sale of vintage and classic cars, at the Grand Palais in Paris, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014. The bike will be sold at auction to help raise funds for a soup kitchen and hostel for the homeless in Rome. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

A Harley-Davidson motorbike sold at auction on Thursday for almost 20 times its estimated value - because its previous owner was the pope.

Signed "Francesco" on its tank, the Dyna Super Glide sold for 241,500 euros ($328,300), with a Harley-Davidson leather jacket, also signed by the pope, going for 57,500 euros, both to anonymous bidders, auction house Bonhams said. (Reuters)

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Pope's Harley Davidson smashes expectations at Paris auction