Tsunami Harley will not be restored

A Japanese man whose Harley-Davidson Night Train motorcycle was washed up on Canadian beach more than 5000km away has declined H-D's offer to ship the bike back to Japan and restore it.

Ikuo Yokoyama lost three family members, his house and belongings in the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami that rocked the Asian nation, but refused Harley-Davidson's offer to fix his bike, stating that there were other Japanese residents that were in greater need of help than he.

After more than 11,000 people died in what was Japan's worst disaster, natural or otherwise, Yokoyama explained that he wanted the bike to be preserved in its rusted, wrecked condition in the Harley-Davidson museum as a memorial to the tragedy that struck his homeland.

"Since the motorcycle was recovered, I have discussed with many people about what to do with it. I would be delighted if it could be preserved in its current condition and exhibited to the many visitors to the Harley-Davidson Museum as a memorial to a tragedy that claimed thousands of lives," said Yokoyama.

The Yamamoto resident is currently living in temporary accommodation after his dwelling was destroyed by tsunami, which saw more than a million tonnes of debris swept out to sea.

Yokoyama has been offered a trip to see his beloved 2004 Harley-Davidson Night Train in the H-D museum in North America, and said he would also love to meet Peter Mark, the Canadian man who found his bike washed up on a Canadian beach.

"I am very grateful to Harley-Davidson for offering me an opportunity to visit the museum, and I would like to do that when things have calmed down. At the same time, I would like to meet Peter, who recovered my motorcycle, to express my gratitude.

"Finally, I would like to thank all people around the world once again for their wholehearted support of the areas hit by the earthquake and tsunami," said Yokoyama. "I would like to ask them to help convey messages from the Japanese people about the tragedy of the Great East Japan Earthquake, which was a disaster of historic proportions.”

Peter Mark agreed with Yokoyama and said it was a very special gesture to see it retained as is in the museum.

"My heart really goes out to Ikuo Yokoyama and all the survivors of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami for everything that was taken from them ... I think it is fitting that the Harley, which was swept across the Pacific Ocean by the tsunami, will end up in the Harley-Davidson Museum as a memorial to that tragic event. It has an interesting and powerful story to convey preserved in its current state."