Arlen Ness’s 40th Anniversary

ARLEN NESS’ 40TH ANNIVERSARY OPEN HOUSE
By Buckshot
 

         In this day an’ age, where things just don’t seem to last, it’s great to see something that has, especially when it spans three generations, an’ becomes a world-wide legend! That’s what Arlen Ness has created, and now his son, Cory, and grandson, Zach, are handling the heavy work so “The King of Choppers” can have time to build what he wants, when he wants.

          Back when Arlen first started, the average income was $9,500 a year, the price of gas was 36 cents a gallon, a new house averaged $23,000, an’ “Bewitched” was on prime time television. Makes ya feel old, doesn’t it?  It’s amazin’ to me that over all the years, Arlen has remained on the cutting edge of style an’ technology, an’ come up with more innovative ideas over the long haul than anyone else in the industry. He has the imagination to see unique bikes, and the skill to make them reality, an’ that’s why he’s still #1, and always will be.

          I headed up from Madtown with my son, Kevin; Fresno’s premier custom painter, Jim Ogawa, of Ogawa Designs, an’ about thirty more friends under the threat of rain much heavier than the light sprinkles that were fallin’ as we left. That fear didn’t become reality on the ride up, but on the way home, everybody got soaked to the skin. Some things are just worth the discomfort, though, an’ Arlen’s parties are one of ‘em!

We rolled into the parking lot at Arlen’s shop in Dublin around noon, an’ the place was already packed. There was a line clear around the building to meet “Tig” (Kim Coates) and “Juice” (Theo Rossi) from the hit TV series Sons of Anarchy. I got to visit with these guys for a while later in the day, and they’re both the kind’a guys you’d want to meet for a beer after work. They’re genuinely nice, an’ they enjoy what they do, including meeting their fans, signing autographs, shirts, an’ the occasional female body part, an’ posing for pictures. Theo was telling us about the bike he’s going to build, an’ it really sounds cool! Old school Bobber, with lots of “patina”. I can’t wait to see it!
 

One floor up, Arlen’s museum was open, and all the bikes you’ve admired in magazines for years were shined up an’ struttin’ their stuff. Did ya know that Arlen built an electric chopper long before “those other guys” on TV did? Yep! It’s right there with all the other eye candy, even though he never brags about gettin’ there first! Just the symphony of colors sittin’ there on the floor will make ya think you’re back in the Psychedelic Sixties!
 

          On the third floor, the band was crankin’ out blues an’ rock, an’ tables were set up where everybody loaded up on hot dogs, chips, an’ sodas. Meanwhile, downstairs, the Rock Star energy drink folks were handin’ out free drinks to keep the crowd energized, an’ everybody’s eyes open wide.

          There were Victory test rides, so you could get a feel for the ride that converted Arlen to a big fan of Victory motorcycles. If ya ride one, you just may be converted too! Plus, Arlen can customize ‘em for ya to make yours just the way ya want it. Custom paint? A bit more “rake”? Billet wheels? Ask, and ye shall receive, Bro!

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