- The Softail Slim was owned by Pinewood Studios and converted into a replica of a 1960s NYPD police motorcycle for the film
- Actor Boyd Holbrook rode the motorcycle in his role as villain Klaber through recreated New York scenes filmed in Glasgow
- The motorcycle is roadworthy, registered in the United Kingdom, and has approximately 7,000 miles on the odometer
Film props on two wheels have a charm all their own. While cars from Hollywood productions regularly change hands for six-figure sums, motorcycles with documented film history appear on the auction market far less frequently. That is precisely what makes the Harley-Davidson Softail Slim from the fifth and final Indiana Jones film so interesting: it is not just a piece of cinema history, but also a fully registered motorcycle that can be ridden on public roads at any time.
From Softail Slim to New York Police Motorcycle
The 2016 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim was converted on behalf of Pinewood Studios to portray a 1960s New York Police Department motorcycle in the film. The Electra Glide, which was used by the NYPD at the time, served as the template. The tank received a police-style paint scheme, along with period-correct details designed to place the motorcycle in the right era visually.
In the 2023 film “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” actor Boyd Holbrook rode the machine as antagonist Klaber. The scenes that pass for New York streets in the film were not actually shot in the United States, but in Glasgow, Scotland. The city served as the backdrop for the chase sequences in which the converted Softail Slim played a central role.
Specifications and Condition of the Softail Slim
Beneath the police look sits the familiar engineering of the Harley-Davidson Softail Slim. The 1,690 cc engine is a Milwaukee-Eight V-twin, as used in the Softail range for many years. The final version of the Softail Slim before production ended in 2021 delivered a maximum torque of 144 Nm (106.2 lb-ft) and was approximately 16 kg (35 lbs) lighter than some predecessor models.
The Softail range was introduced in the 1980s and continuously developed over the decades. The Softail Slim entered the lineup in 2012 and remained there until 2021. The example offered here shows an odometer reading of approximately 7,000 miles, equivalent to about 11,265 kilometers. According to the auction house, the motorcycle is roadworthy and registered in the United Kingdom, including complete V5C vehicle documentation.
What the Buyer Gets
In addition to the motorcycle itself, the new owner will receive some original parts and saddlebags that were used during the filming of the Indiana Jones movie. The documented provenance is verified by an invoice from Pinewood Studios, which is an important criterion of authenticity for collectors of film props.
Mark Bryan, Motorcycle Manager at Iconic Auctioneers, describes it as a “fantastic opportunity to acquire a genuine piece of film history with documented provenance direct from Pinewood Studios.” What makes the motorcycle particularly attractive, he says, is the accessible estimate, which makes it interesting for a broad range of enthusiasts.
The Auction at a Glance
The sale takes place on Sunday, April 19, 2026, as part of the “Iconic Motorcycle Sale at Shuttleworth” in Bedfordshire. The event is organized by Iconic Auctioneers. More than 150 motorcycles are expected to go under the hammer, including classic, modern, and retro models.
Alongside the Indiana Jones Harley, the auction features a 1990 Norton F1 Rotary, a 2010 Suzuki GSX-R1000 Anniversary Edition, a 2006 Ducati 1000LE Paul Smart Replica, and a 2023 Moto Guzzi V7 Guzzi Palace, among others. The latter bears the number 47 of only 50 examples produced worldwide.
