Vale Arlen Ness: custom builder icon
The legendary custom motorcycle builder has passed away at the age of 79After a life full of creativity and extraordinary vision, custom motorcycle icon Arlen Ness passed away on March 22, 2019 at the age of 79.
His family announced his passing in a statement, praising him for “the most creative and inspirational life anyone could imagine”.
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The statement continued: “The most important things in Arlen’s life were his wife of 59 years Beverly, his children, grandchildren, friends and motorcycles. Arlen once said that ‘motorcycling has been a great ride…my whole life since I’ve been motorcycling has been wonderful. I’ve met so many nice people.
‘Friends all over the world…. We can go almost any place and stay with friends. It’s been great’.”
After an early childhood spent in Minnesota, Ness moved to California where he was about 12, and not long after that started customising motorcycles at home before opening a shop front in 1970.
That’s when Ness’ popularity exploded as his custom bikes were seen far and wide and, such was the aura he held, he eventually became known under the ‘The King of Custom Motorcycles’ sobriquet. Ness has also been on a number of television shows, and had a book written about him.
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Ness particularly became synonymous with Harley-Davidson, Indian and Victory, not only selling their bikes in standard form but also taking the more creative custom routes.
Arlen’s son Zach and his grandson Zach also have also become custom stars, with Zach now running the family business.
RIP Arlen.
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