Photographer Michael Lichter recently released a book that features pictures he and others have taken through the years of Arlen Ness and Arlen’s many custom motorcycle projects. The book is appropriately named “Arlen Ness. The King of Choppers.”
     In the book’s introduction Lichter states, “For almost 40 years, Arlen has been a trendsetter, quietly and steadily producing some of the most creative custom bikes the world has ever seen. He was the first to try many innovative ideas, and on numerous occasions his designs evolved into popular styles, setting the trend for custom bikes to come.”
     The Arlen Ness enterprise today includes retail stores in Daytona Beach, Florida and Las Vegas, Nevada; the new 70,000 square foot world headquarters in Dublin, California; a design consulting relationship with Victory Motorcycles; the new line of Arlen Ness leathers and more. In their spare time, he and son Cory attend motorcycle shows and events and participate in the many “Biker Build-offs” seen on television.
     We recently had an opportunity to talk with Arlen and get some answers to a few questions we had…


Speedliner


Drag Specialties Magazine (DSM):

So Arlen, what was your first motorcycle custom project?

Arlen:

“Back in 1963 I bought a Knucklehead for $300. It was my first project…and my second. I kept working on it for a long time.”

DSM:

Tell us about your relationship with Avon Tires:

Arlen:

“Well I can tell you it would be easier to count the number of bikes I’ve built that didn’t have Avons than the ones that did. I’ve always liked the way they look and the way they ride. I’ve known Larry Hoppe and the folks from Avon for over 25 years now and they treat me really good. We have a great mutual relationship.”

DSM:

With Avon coming out this year with their new taller sizes, can we expect to see them on some of your upcoming products and projects?

Arlen:

“No doubt about it. We’ve already got some wheels to fit them, and we’ll be doing a lot more. Everything has been getting wider the last couple of years and finally someone went the other way and made them taller. We think they look great.”

DSM:

How about Drag Specialties? Have you done a lot with them?

Arlen:

“There again, that’s a long-term relationship. We’ve done business with Drag for years in our retail stores and now they also distribute Arlen Ness brand products in their FatBook. Every year they keep adding more and more of our products.”

DSM:

How do you and your son Cory divide up the work in your business?

Arlen:

“Cory runs the day-to-day business 100%. My job now is mainly PR.”

DSM:

So you’ve got your custom bikes, the retail stores, the aftermarket products, and now a line of complete motorcycles. Tell us about that.

Arlen:

“Well last August at Sturgis, Cory and I introduced the line that we have labeled as “custom production motorcycles. It’s called Ness Motorcycles LLC. At the moment we’ve got three models. There’s a ‘Low Liner,’ ‘Speed Liner’ and ‘High Liner’ model. They’ve all got 124-inch S&S motors and top notch components from front to back.”

DSM:

Rolling on Avons we presume?

Arlen:

“Of course!”

Many custom builders have designs that are very recognizable, a “signature look” you can spot from a distance. Arlen Ness has gone down a different road. Much like a competitor on the track, Arlen thrives on the challenges that are presented and continually tries to raise his game. He built theme bikes long before the television producers “discovered” them and, more than any other builder, has made use of unique chassis and motor combinations in his projects.
Here are five great examples of Arlen’s artistry.


Drag Specialties Magazine
Volume 13 #3

Parts Magazine Index