Holy Davidson: Breakout 'Pope Bike' Sells at Auction

Sacred Custom

'White Unique' is a customized Breakout with some holy provenance added in. Autographed and blessed by Pope Francis, the sacred machine hit the auction block at the Bonhams Autumn Stafford Sale on October 20th, 2019. Dubbed the 'Pope Bike,' the 'holy' ride sold for $54,000 with the proceeds going to charity. Read on for a quick look at the divine effort. 

Photo courtesy of Bonhams

Softail Calling

Those who missed the call can rest easy. As of late, a succession of motorcycles has been gifted to the papacy and then sold on for charity. The 'Pope Bike' project began when Dr. Thomas Draxler, founder of the 'Jesus Bikers' approached Christoph Repp, owner of Würzburg Village Harley-Davidson in Austria. The dealership agreed to supply a Softail for custom conversion and to assist with the sale of the machine.

Photo courtesy of Bonhams

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Charity Sign-off

'White Unique' arrived in St. Peter’s Square for its papal anointing in early July 2019. With the supreme pontiff's signature secured, the bike headed off to auction. Bonhams estimated that bids on the 'Pope Bike' would reach up to $120,000. Money from the auction will be used to benefit the Pontifical Mission Societies, who plan to build an orphanage and a school in Uganda for abandoned and deprived children.

Photo courtesy of Bonhams

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Religious Displacement

As the name implies, 'White Unique' is finished in white pearlescent paint. Religious adornments and gold plating, including pushrod covers, are found throughout the build. The 96 cubic-inch Twin Cam sports an S&S Gloss Black Mini Teardrop Stealth Air Cleaner. Apart from the obvious Stage 1 modification, 'Pope Bike' organizer, Thomas Draxler, made no mention of any other performance interventions.

Photo courtesy of Bonhams

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Chi-Rho

Other sacred touches include a 'Chi-Rho' symbol embossed into the leather seat. The ancient symbol is one of the earliest christograms — a monogram of initials. A crown of thorns motif circles the gas tank and runs down the rear fender, terminating at a sunken taillight in the shape of a cross. An open, three-inch primary belt is visible above the traditionally-styled Half-Moon Rider Footboards.

Photo courtesy of Bonhams

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Impressive Charity

Pope Francis has been gifted numerous vehicles in the recent past from racing bicycles to scooters. On the high-end of generosity bestowed on the Vatican's leader are a Lamborghini and an Opel Ampera — the European Chevrolet Bolt EV. At the Bonhams 2014 Paris Sale, a pontiff-endorsed 2013 FXDC Super-Glide sold for a cool $265,000. While this 'Pope Bike' fell short of its top auction price, Draxler's charity effort is still commendable.

Photo courtesy of Bonhams

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Entrusted Sale

Providing a different sort of guiding light, a gold-plated crucifix is perched above the Daymaker headlight. James Stensel, head of Bonhams Collectors' Motorcycles Department, spoke about the charity project. He said, “We are incredibly proud to be entrusted with the sale of this unique motorcycle...It’s fitting that a Harley-Davidson motorcycle should bring so many like-minded people together.”

Photo courtesy of Bonhams

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