Arlen Darryl Ness was born in Moorhead, Minnesota, on July 1939. Before dedicating himself to the construction and modification of motorcycles, Arlen worked as a bowler at the local bowling alley, later as a post office clerk and furniture duster. He also competed in the semi-professional bowling leagues, whose earnings he used to buy his first motorcycle, a 1947 Harley Davidson Knucklehead that he later customized in his own garage in San Loandro, California.
Ness was recognized for his unique style in painting and for the development of a line of parts for custom motorcycles. His popularity grew as he built new custom bikes and then showed them at the circuit of motorcycle shows and appeared in motorcycle magazines.
After three decades of custom motorcycle manufacturing, her business, Arlen Ness Motorcycles, moved to a facility in Dublin, California, which includes a museum that features more than 40 of her custom motorcycles. In the museum we find the Untouchable, the double engine Two Bad, the Ness-Tique, the Blower Bike, the Ness-Stalgia inspired by the Chevy 57, the Smooth-Ness Bugatti type … The company is also an authorized dealer for Victory Motorcycles and for Indian Motorcycles.
Ness received recognitions and prizes, among them the one of Constructor of the Year, the incorporation to the Hall of the Fame of the Motorcycle and the Prizes to the Achievements of all the life. His son, Cory Ness, has worked with Ness for more than 30 years and now directs daily business operations at Arlen Ness, Inc. Cory has been recognized as one of the best custom motorcycle manufacturers and even defeated his father in one episode. of Biker Build-Off in 2004. Continuing the family tradition to a third generation, Cory’s son, Zach Ness, built several high-level custom before finishing high school in 2006. Today, Arlen Ness Inc. is A property completely operated by a family and is the only motorcycle business, which houses 3 generations with the same last name. At the moment, the Arlen Ness brand offers products for V-twin engines and equipment for motorcycles.
