A rare Harley-Davidson once used in the official motorcade of Archbishop Makarios III has been fully restored in Cyprus after remaining off the road for more than 50 years.
The restoration, completed only days ago, was carried out by Harley-Davidson Cyprus at its own expense, following coordination with the Cyprus Police. The motorcycle is now in excellent condition, bringing back to life one of the most distinctive vehicles connected with the early history of the Republic of Cyprus.
The Harley-Davidson is regarded as one of the most important exhibits of the Cyprus Police Museum. It belonged to the guard detail of Archbishop Makarios III, the first President of the Republic of Cyprus and Archbishop of Cyprus.
A Harley-Davidson from Archbishop Makarios’ public life
For years, the Harley-Davidson rode at the front of Makarios’ official motorcade, serving as a lead motorcycle during public appearances, formal ceremonies, and state-related movements.
Its role made it more than a vehicle of security. In the early years of the Cypriot state, such motorcades carried political and ceremonial significance, reflecting the authority and public presence of the country’s first president.
According to historical information linked to the exhibit, the motorcycle had been donated to Archbishop Makarios along with two other motorcycles and a Cadillac car by a Cypriot American who was reportedly a shareholder in Cadillac.
Kennedy, Harley-Davidsons, and a Historic Connection
The story of Makarios’ Harley-Davidsons also carries a wider historical dimension. According to the Archbishop Makarios III Foundation, President John F. Kennedy donated four Harley-Davidson motorcycles to Makarios in 1962.
Two of those motorcycles are still displayed today at the Historic Motorcycle Museum, while a third was destroyed in an accident shortly after arriving in Cyprus. The available account does not specify the later history of the fourth motorcycle.
These details add further historical interest to the restored Harley-Davidson, placing it within a broader story of diplomacy, ceremony, and the symbols that surrounded Makarios during the first years of the Republic of Cyprus.
A rare Harley-Davidson from Archbishop Makarios’ era
The restoration was a demanding project because the motorcycle had remained inactive for decades. After more than half a century of immobility, bringing it back to excellent condition required technical work, specialized knowledge, and care for its historical character.
Its return gives visitors to the Cyprus Police Museum a renewed opportunity to see an object closely tied to Makarios’ public life.
The restored Harley-Davidson is now more than a collectible motorcycle. It stands as a rare surviving piece of Cyprus’ modern history, connected with one of the island’s most consequential political and religious figures.
Who was Archbishop Makarios III?
Archbishop Makarios III was one of the most important figures in modern Cypriot history. Born Michael Christodoulou Mouskos, he became Archbishop of Cyprus in 1950 and later emerged as the leading Greek Cypriot political figure during the final years of British colonial rule.
In 1960, when Cyprus became an independent republic, Makarios became the country’s first president, holding a rare dual role as both religious leader and head of state. His presidency unfolded during a turbulent period marked by intercommunal tensions, regional pressure, and repeated challenges to Cyprus’ political future. Makarios remained central to the island’s public life until his death in 1977.
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