The art of motorcycle maintenance

[Glumbumble]

I was wondering what people thought of the role for Sirius' motorcycle in DH?

Given that Harry inherited all of Harry's possessions and that JKR removed that part of PS/SS, in later editions of the book, where Hagrid goes off to return the bike to Sirius I guess it has some kind of role.

We know that Harry has not passed his apparition licence so will he use the bike to travel around on? Mind you has he got a motorcycle licence, will he need Learner plates? Would this constitute under age magic. Why did JKR alter the early story if there was no role for the bike?

[Mr_Bandman]

A good question----I've wondered often what the bike was there for----looking back it seems a little misplaced, and both characters----Hagrid and Sirius----seem to have developed....I don't know.....beyond it or away from it?----it just doesn't seem to fit.

[Fortescue]

The motorcycle is probably cruising the dark forest with the Weasley's car. ;)

But siriusly, (ha) - I think Harry might find the bike at Grimauld Place when he visits there for the first time. He does own the place now and will probably go there and look around. I really can't see a big use for the motorcylce and he is almost seventeen. I think at this point with all he has been through with the Ministry and how much is riding on his success, he will not worry about the use of underage magic or not having an apparition license. I don't think at this point any of that will matter to Harry.

[Glumbumble]

Why would the bike be at Grim Old Place? Sirius was not living there and, because of the protections put on it by Orion, Hagrid probably couldn't have found it.
We no that originally Hagrid had taken the bike back to Sirius but JKR deleted the reference in later editions. So my guess is that if this is significant to the story the bike went back to Hogwarts.
Of course it maybe that the lines were deleted because they would have conflicted with the encounter between Sirius and Wormtail.

[Sirius Potter Fan]

I know there's a thread on here somewhere, where we discussed just how Hagrid got to the island to hand deliver Harry's Hogwarts letter in PS/SS. Hagrid states that he got there magicaly, but that he and Harry had to travel without magic to London. Quite a few suggested that Hagrid rode the motorcycle. if that was it. Then he never took it back to Sirius. (And . . . maybe that is how the Dursley's got off the island!:p )

[Morfin Gaunt]

slightly off the point........... wouldnt the bike be under the misuse of muggle artifacts section the same as the authurs car in CoS.

i cant see the differnce between the two..

[Sirius Potter Fan]

There Probably isn't one Morfin. Although we don't know if Sirius enchanted the motorbike or if he aquired it already charmed. In either case, it would still fall under that law . . . but since when did any of the marauders hold to the law? What still gets me, with as big as the book describes Hagrid, how could he ride it? must be a seat engorgement charm on it!

[Glumbumble]

I know there's a thread on here somewhere, where we discussed just how Hagrid got to the island to hand deliver Harry's Hogwarts letter in PS/SS. Hagrid states that he got there magicaly, but that he and Harry had to travel without magic to London. Quite a few suggested that Hagrid rode the motorcycle. if that was it. Then he never took it back to Sirius. (And . . . maybe that is how the Dursley's got off the island!:p )

I think that that is unlikely as originally Hagrid was supposed to have returned the bike to Sirius it was much later in the series that JKR altered the story about the bike.

[horcruxfinder]

Does JKR discuss in any interview the removal of the bike from the story line?

[Seeker615]

I've often wondered about the bike.

Maybe Hagrid still has it somewhere on the grounds. Or is it possible Arthur Weasley has it back at his place? It's well known he is fond of Muggle items

[Glumbumble]

Does JKR discuss in any interview the removal of the bike from the story line?

She does say this:

Rita: Whatever happend to Sirius' flying motorbike?
JK Rowling replies -> Ah, good question. You'll find out, but the real sleuths among you might be able to guess.

[Seeker615]

She always keeps things vague.

I am assuming we will see it in the last book.

I am leaning toward Arthur Weasley having it though. Maybe after the wedding the trio will come across it and use as a way to get around for awhile

[Glumbumble]

I found this on Leaky

The following changes were released by Rowling's publishers in the summer of 2004. As of summer, 2005, they had not been included in Scholastic editions. However, both Bloomsbury and Raincoast editions now incorporate the changes. The translators, who work from the Bloomsbury text, are incorporating these changes into their editions of the book as well.

PS p17/SS p16, "I'll be takin' Sirius his bike back." changed to "I best get this bike away." because "This sentence didn't fit very well with the way the character of Sirius was developed as the series progressed."

[Sir Cadogan]

She does say this:
Originally Posted by JK Rowling's World Book Day Chat, March 4, 2004
Rita: Whatever happend to Sirius' flying motorbike?
JK Rowling replies -> Ah, good question. You'll find out, but the real sleuths among you might be able to guess.


Well, my guess is: The bike is in the garage (or cellar) at Number 12, Grimauld Place. And this, in turn, means it's Harry's, and he can go and pick it up. Howzat?

[tobias]

Hagrid said he comforted Sirius and then used the bike to take Harry to the Dursley's.
After dropping off Harry he left to return it.

If he caught Sirius before Pettigrew, then he would give the bike back. So it could have been impounded by the Ministry at his arrest. Or he could have left it at home (not Grim Old Place because he left there ages ago, but wherever he was staying- maybe next door to the Potters in Godric's Hollow)

But if Hagrid missed Sirius before Pettigrew, he would have taken it back to his home to return later, which puts it at Hogwarts.

I vote for the bike being on the castle grounds somewhere, collecting dust in storage.

Filch probably has it under lock and key. Or maybe it is behind a cabinet with a statue wearing a tiara...