There are new plans in store for the Harley-Davidson motorcycle that turned up on the shores of western Canada after being lost in the Japanese tsunami last year. After being swept away from Miyagi prefecture, the bike spent over a year at sea floating in a cargo container, eventually getting discovered by Peter Mark, 32, in British Columbia. The owner, 29 year old Ikuo Yokoyama, identified by the motorcycle’s license plate, was found and told the incredible story of what happened to his 2004 FXSTB Softail Night Train.
After being told that Harley-Davidson offered to pay the bill to both fully restore the bike and then ship it back to Japan, Yokoyama has instead requested that the bike be preserved and displayed at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the U.S. Yokoyama, who lost three family members in last year’s disasters, says that he wishes the motorcycle, and its incredible tale, to serve as a memorial for all the victims of the March 11th tragedies. Bill Davidson, the vice president of the museum, says the owner’s wishes will be honored, and he hopes to bring Yokoyama to the unveiling.
Yokoyama has stated his heartfelt appreciation to Peter Mark, and regrets that he has yet to meet him in person and offer his gratitude. After finding the motorcycle, Mark contacted the Japanese embassy in Vancouver, who then began the process of locating Yokoyama. The bike is currently at a Harley-Davidson enthusiast’s bike shop in British Columbia, preparing to be shipped to motorcycle museum.