The AFU and Urban Legend Archive
Celebrities
 elvis harley




First, the undead Elvis was seen all across America.

A St. Louis housewife even saw the King at a movie theater here. I read that in a supermarket tabloid, so I know it's true.

Now Elvis' Harley is turning up all around the USA. The King's hog brings fabulous wealth to the fan who finds it. I'm proud to say I have the Harley bike story worth the most money -- $4 million. That number is confirmed by the Harley-Davidson folks.

I heard the story from my friend Richard, who believes it is true. "This could only happen in America," he said.

Here is Richard's story:

"This friend of a friend of my daughter was riding along a back road, when he saw an old motorcycle for sale," Richard said. "It was a 1950s Harley for $600. The bike needed work, but he bought it.

"He couldn't get parts, the bike was so old. So he called Harley headquarters in Milwaukee. He described the Harley. He kept getting transferred from person to person. Each time, they'd ask what the Harley looked like.

"Finally, the CEO of Harley came on the line. He asked the guy to describe the Harley again. Then he told him to go out and check under the rear fender. That's where he found an inscription beginning, 'To Elvis ...'

"It was Elvis' Harley-Davidson, a gift from somebody. Harley offered him $4 million for it.

"Imagine that," Richard said. "Four million dollars for a bike he found by the road. It's like winning the lottery."

Is there a chance in a million that this story is true? Elvis collectibles go for major money. His 1969 American Express card was auctioned for $41,400. And it was expired. Elvis only held it in his hand. Think what you could get for something he'd wrapped his legs around.

Elvis did ride Harleys, and he rode them hard. Lamar Fike, a member of the Memphis Mafia -- Elvis' entourage -- says he and Elvis used to ride their Harleys 110 miles an hour on what is now Elvis Presley Boulevard.

One misty afternoon in 1957, they had to slow down for a bus. Lamar and his Harley slid under the bus. Lamar was lucky. He only lost some leather off his jacket. He lived to tell this story to Alanna Nash for her book, "Elvis Aaron Presley."

Elvis' Harley was untouched. Was it the one Richard's friend of a friend found on a back road? Richard tried to find the new Harley millionaire for me. "He was the friend of other friends," Richard said. "Nobody knows his name."

If I just got $4 million, I'd keep my name quiet, too.

Richard was sure Harley-Davidson would remember this high-priced buy. I called Harley headquarters in Milwaukee and got transferred from person to person, just like the guy in the story. I didn't end up with the Harley CEO. I got Nola Vander Meulen with Harley public relations.

"We've received so many calls on the Elvis Harley," she said.

Is the story true?

"No, it's an urban legend. We hear about it all the time, from all over. Usually the Harley is found in a barn or bought at a garage sale. The buyer lifts up the seat or looks at the fender and sees this inscription: 'To Elvis, from Priscilla.' Most stories say we buy it for anywhere from half a million to a million dollars. You came up with the most money."

There is some truth to the tale. "We did purchase Elvis' very own personal Harley," Nola said. "But it belonged to a collector who knew what it was. The bike was well documented."

How much did Harley pay for it?

"I don't know, and if I did, I couldn't say."

Four million dollars? I asked.

Nola laughed and laughed, which I took for a no.

The Harley bike story does skid by the truth. But the actual facts are a King-sized disappointment. The legendary Elvis deserves better.

I can only hope that somewhere there is an undiscovered Harley. I'll ask Elvis, next time he's in town to see a movie.

(cite provided by snopes)


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