R.I.P Arlen

[47str8leg]

Just heard Arlen Ness died. Liked his early stuff and was an innovator early on . No one does it by themselves of course ( nod to Jeff McCaan here ) but someone has to lead the charge. Either way take it easy Arlen. Maybe someone up there will like your 57 Chevy bike.

[Dragstews]

Bummer .... Met him in 75 at the Cincinnati Trade Show ...
Bought a few parts from him back in 75 for my 52 ..
Then again at the Grand opening of his store in Vegas ...

Hell of a nice Guy ..


RIP ..

[Hoghead]

I didn't dig everything he did, but you don't get to stay in front doing the same old things. I believe he had class , and more drive and talent than a lot of 'master builders'. Condolences to Beverly and the boys.

[Revelator]

Bummer. He made some rad bikes back in the daze.

I have one of his old prism tanks that He used on his early digger builds.
and also a rare 90's ness softail frame.
Rest His Soul.

[KevinN]

He was one of a kind. I went to his old shop in the mid '90's and was given the tour of the upstairs where some of his more famous bikes were kept. They had a cable winch set up to get them up a set of wooden stairs. A lot of variety, bikes with blowers, wild sheet metal and Arlen was quite the painter. Arlen had a lot going on in his head. Like many folks, I didn't dig everything he did but he certainly made a positive mark in the motorcycle world.

[47str8leg]

Arlen subbed out a lot of his paintwork to Jeff McCaan.
Look him up.

[vonhelmet]

He had that cool "my hair looks like its blowing back in the wind when Im standing still" hair. RIP

[Revelator]

I snapped this photo at a born free show a couple years ago.
this is my favorite Arlen Ness bike. This style of bike is His legacy
IMO

[Dragstews]

This one is my favorite ....



Although Cory did most of it, I bet Dad had a hand in it..

[Hubbard]

This truly sucks. I did some sub work for his shop in fla. Best people I have ever worked for. The custom motorcycle world has lost one of the finest .RIP friend.

[BadMonkeyMW]

I hated almost every thing he built after about 1985, but there is no doubt the man was an innovator and a pioneer in the custom world. His 70's diggers had a style that will always be cool. Sad to see him pass on.

[Tattooo]

This one is my favorite ....



Although Cory did most of it, I bet Dad had a hand in it..

I totally disagree Jesse............. That's one ugly mother fucker............. I don't care if it does have three cylinders.... It's just butt ugly....

But that's isn't my style bike....

[shovel625]

Bummer .... Met him in 75 at the Cincinnati Trade Show ...
Bought a few parts from him back in 75 for my 52 ..
Then again at the Grand opening of his store in Vegas ...

Hell of a nice Guy ..


RIP ..

you from cincy?

[WillSCB]

you from cincy?

Sorry to be a smart ass, but anyone who has talked to Dragstews at all knows his accent is as far removed from a Cincy accent as you can get. He's a Kentucky boy.

[Dragstews]

Hey .... I been wearing shoes for over a year now ... !!