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ARLEN NESS
Starting out of his garage in 1967 with the money he won as a
semi-professional bowler, Arlen bought his first Harley.
Armed with no more than a spray gun and a dream, Arlen stripped down his
Harley Knucklehead and gave it a paint job of his own creation.
After many an appraising eye set sight on his creation, Arlen entered it in
a custom show.
First show, First place! Then he was off, with nights spent in the garage
working on a growing list of customers bikes, it wasn't long until he rented
his first store on East 14th Street.
More work, more shows and more trophies. While still working at his full
time job, Arlen worked the store in the evenings. Then with his wife Bev,
doing the books and his 2 kids in tow (Sherri & Cory), Arlen took a big step
out onto thin air, he left his job and went out on his own full time.
His refusal to imitate others, his sense of style and his willingness to
take risks is still seen today in their slogan of "Always innovate, never
imitate".
In 1973 Larry Kauferman, editor of Custom Bike,saw that innovative style,and
while he had seen lots of stretched chrome twins, he knew Arlen and his
creations were different. Larry started to photograph some of Arlen's bikes.
Larry led the way to other magazines, and today, hardly an edition of Hot
Bike, Easy Rider, American Iron or any number of foreign and international
periodicals is published without a photo essay or interview about or with
Arlen Ness. To see more of Arlen Ness go to Ness Theatre, Finished Products
on the site.
Soon, the local legend of this new kid on the block, was being seen by
thousands.
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