The Harley-Davidson Fat Boy ridden by Arnold Schwarrzenegger in Terminator 2 is going up for auction. This is the screen-used bike used in some of the most iconic scenes from the blockbuster Terminator sequel, as well as in promotional material for the film.
When Terminator 2 was released in 1991, it ushered in a new generation of computer-generated imagery, blending live action with virtual graphics. The terrifying T-1000 (Robert Patrick) is composed of liquid metal and its depiction is still impressive even by today’s standards. One of the most memorable scenes in T2 however, involves a freshly-arrived nude T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger) beating down bar patrons on its way to secure a motorcycle. And that very motorcycle is going up for auction.
The T-800 has its pick of rides outside the bar, scanning various Harleys, a Yamaha, and even a Plymouth sedan. Its eyes settle on a 1991 Harley-Davidson FLSTF Fat Boy — a model that had just been introduced the prior year. After strongly convincing the owner to hand over his keys (in addition to his riding gear), the T-800 sets off, but that’s not the last we see of the bike.
The Fat Boy took part in one of the greatest chase scenes in film history, when the T-800 used it to rescue John Connor (played by Edward Furlong astride a Honda XR dirtbike) from the relentless T-1000. The chase through the L.A. River reached iconic status, and other films and television shows have paid tribute to the scene, while others have made parodies of it.
Schwarzenegger, a motorcycle enthusiast in his own right, rode this actual bike in the film, giving it legendary provenance. The odometer reads just 392 miles, though the bike may need some work to get it running. The side mirrors are missing, so the buyer would have to add those in to legally run this thing and live out his or her T2 fantasy.
The bike’s sale is being handled by Profiles In History as part of its “Icons and Legends of Hollywood” auction, which runs June 5-8. The estimated sale price is $200,000-300,000. There are listings for other Terminator and Arnold-related memorabilia, including the “punk” jacket from the first film in the franchise, which Schwarzenegger wore while riding a motorcycle in that film as well. This one even comes with bloody bullet holes!
Terminator 2 grossed over half a billion dollars at the box office and gave the franchise a huge boost, spawning numerous sequels and spin-offs. Whether you’re a fan of the film or a Harley-Davidson buff, it will be interesting to see how the sale goes.
