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He never planned for it, this is because what he achieved had never been done before; it had never been dreamt of. “All of a sudden Dad lit up the tires and did a burnout across the gas station,” Ness said. by Michael Macor/The Chronicle, JOHNSONXXA-C-12JUN01-MT-MAC Arlen Ness is reflected in a chrome air cleaner cover on one of his many motorcycles. © 2020 Bikernet Blog - Online Biker Magazine. A short history of S.F. You will be missed, Arlen. His wife, like his parents, had told him she didn’t want a bike in the family, “so he had a friend ride it home, so mom wouldn’t see him on it,” his son said. Ness taught his son, Cory, to ride and, at 15, to build motorcycles. Robintek: Columbus Website and Blog Design. Mild-mannered. The father-son team also has bikes on display at the Guggenheim and Oakland museums. But with Arlen, you were always struck at how humble and quiet he was, in contrast to how avant-garde and progressive his custom bikes were. The family moved to … Then in 1963, he bought his first motorcycle for $300, a 1947 Harley-Davidson knucklehead. He has witnessed seven prison executions and has covered many of the biggest breaking stories of our time, from the Sept. 11 terror attacks at Ground Zero and the Columbine High School massacre to Barack Obama’s election as president, the deadly Mendocino Complex, Wine Country and Ghost Ship fires and the Occupy movement. Friends all over the world. by Michael Macor/The Chronicle, Burned out of their apartment by a huge fire, family finds home just in time for holidays, Homeless housing plan for Novato hotel under Homekey program falls through, Bay Area residents want homeless problem solved. Ness was born in Moorhead, Minn., to Ervin and Elaine Ness, who owned a furniture moving business and forbade him from owning motorcycles. The company is also an authorized dealership for Victory Motorcycles and for Indian Motorcycles. They stopped for gas in the middle of nowhere, Colorado. But man, you should have seen the look on people’s faces. “He was not a relic of the past. He was just a motorcycle guy. At the moment, Arlen Ness brand offers products for V-twin engines and motorcycle gear. “He wasn’t one to go to baseball or basketball games. Arlen once said that “Motorcycling has been a great ride…my whole life since I’ve been motorcycling has been wonderful. Today, the son and daughter run the Ness motorcycle dealership in Dublin, which includes a “museum” of 100 bikes built mostly by Ness, along with a few by his son. “He never got angry. Arlen rarely reflected on his own success. But once in a while he allowed himself to cut loose. Homelessness remains a special focus of his, close to his heart as a journalist who cares passionately about the human condition. The respect is how Arlen came to deserve the commonly spoken nickname “The King of Custom Motorcycles”. Ness rebuilt the machine in the garage of his Hayward home, giving it a chrome alloy frame, spray-painting it candy red with golden swirls and swapping out the transmission for a smoother one. It is with heavy hearts that we announce Arlen Ness the visionary, loving husband, father, grandfather and leader of our family passed away last night March 22, 2019. Arlen Ness, ‘the king of custom motorcycles, dies, JOHNSONXXF-C-12JUN01-MT-MAC Arlen Ness with a custom bike he calls "Ness Stalgia"inspired by a 1957 Chevrolet. After more than three decades of custom bike building, his business, Arlen Ness Motorcycles, moved to a Dublin, California facility that includes a museum featuring more than 40 of his custom motorcycles. The Arlen Ness museum and showroom are located in Dublin, California. Ness was born in Moorhead, Minn., to Ervin and Elaine Ness, who owned a furniture moving business and forbade him from owning motorcycles. Arlen Ness died on March 22, 2019 at the age of 79. Arlen was born on February 3rd, 1930 in Rockford, IL to Oscar and Ina Ness. For a guy called “the king of custom motorcycles,” revered around the globe for transforming motorcycles into rolling art, Arlen Ness was unexpectedly unpretentious. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from San Jose State University and was raised in California and Nevada. Soft-spoken.”. 11am to 1pm-Prior to service on Monday, July 14 Arlen "Al" Ness Arlen “Al” Ness passed away peacefully at Providence Mother Joseph Care Center, on Tuesday, July 8th, 2008 at the age of 78. Very much a gentleman. Kevin Fagan is a longtime reporter at The San Francisco Chronicle. He was inducted into the American Motorcyclist Association Hall of Fame in 1992 for practically inventing the craft of motorcycle customization from his shops in Oakland, San Leandro, and finally Dublin, and his passing is being mourned on social media by bike enthusiasts from the Netherlands to Italy to Australia. Arlen’s family will announce a memorial service and celebration of life after some private time, and appreciate your understanding. DUBLIN, CA — Motorcycle designer and entrepreneur Arlen Ness died on Friday at the age of 79. That bike started everything. Kevin Fagan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Ness received acclaim for his designs, most of which are noted for their unique body style and paintwork. Among the creations he bolted together were the “Ness-Stalgia,” a yellow marvel fashioned after the famously finned 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air car, the silver “Jet Bike” powered by a helicopter turbine and — his professed favorite — the bulbous green “SleekNess.”, “He was very cool and liked by everyone, but at home he was really just Dad,” said his daughter, Sherri Foxworthy. From 2003 to 2006, Kevin was the only beat reporter in the United States covering homelessness full time. The museum displays his Untouchable, the twin motor Two Bad, the antique inspired Ness-Tique, Blower Bike, the Italian sports car inspired Ferrari Bike, the ’57 Chevy inspired Ness-Stalgia, the Bugatti-like Smooth-Ness, the Discovery Channel’s Biker Build-Off bike Top Banana, and his jet-powered Mach Ness. Ness is survived by his wife, Beverly; his son, Cory of Alamo; his daughter, Sherri Foxworthy of Alamo; and four grandchildren. Ness received acclaim for his designs, most of which are noted for their unique body style and paintwork. It’s been great.” With few words Arlen conveyed his priorities every day, family and friends. Ness was married to his wife Beverly for 59 years until his death. His popularity grew as he built new custom bikes and then had those displayed on the bike show circuit and featured in motorcycle magazines. He began hand-building more custom bikes in his garage, and soon his fame had grown large enough to start his own shop. His first customs were made in the garage of his home in San Leandro, California, but by the early 1970s he had moved to a storefront on East 14th Street. At the time, Ness was in the second year of a four-year fight against cancer. Arlen’s family thank you for your respects and condolences. by Michael Macor/The Chronicle, Photo: Michael Macor / The Chronicle 2001, JOHNSONXXE-C-12JUN01-MT-MAC Arlen Ness on a custom bike he calls "SmoothNess". Small Business Needs all the Help it can Get! Ness was recognized for his unique painting style and for developing a line of custom motorcycle parts. Along the way, Ness handcrafted hundreds of wildly artistic motorcycles in low-slung, colorful sleekness, for customers that included celebrities from Journey guitarist Neil Schon to wrestler Hulk Hogan. by Michael Macor/The Chronicle, JOHNSONXXC-C-12JUN01-MT-MAC Arlen Ness cruises down East 14th sT. in San Leandro on a 2001 model that he just finished building. Famed Custom Motorcycle designer Arlen Ness has been building cycles for the past 31 years out of a shop in San Leandro. The time for the service will be announced. He was at his home in Alamo, surrounded by family. The most important things in Arlen’s life were his wife of 59 years Beverly, his children, grandchildren, friends and motorcycles. Famed Custom Motorcycle designer Arlen Ness has been building cycles for the past 31 years out of a shop in San Leandro. He was an icon of what’s current.”. Arlen has touched the lives of his family, the Arlen Ness team and thousands of others around the world with his genuine character. He has inspired. He kept riding hard over the next two years, but finally succumbed to the disease March 22 at age 79. “It was so unlike him — he really was a responsible motorcycle guy, real friendly and humble. Has a bachelor ’ s current. ” until his death the Arlen has. 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