Sign up forPosted March 31, 2008
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PrintNess: The early years
He's arguably the godfather of the modern custom showbike, and he got his start on a Cushman scooter. But perhaps even more surprising, as a capacity crowd learns at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum Friendraising Breakfast on Friday March 7, Arlen Ness, the King of Customizers, got a serious cold shoulder from his wife, Bev, when he brought home his first "real" motorcycle.
"It was a suicide-clutch Knucklehead," Ness told the crowd. "I couldn't ride it, and had to get someone to ride it home for me. Bev opened the door, stuck her head out, took one look and
slammed the door. She didn't speak to me for a couple weeks after that. But she got over it."
Ness was interviewed on stage by fellow custom-bike builder Russell Mitchell, of Exile Cycles, who was, as it turns out, a former scooter owner himself. The dry-humored Mitchell joked and laughed with Ness as he talked about a life that has led through dozens of style-setting custom bikes to a multimillion-dollar cruiser accessories company Ness still runs today.
Ness says that he more or less fell into the customizing business by accident.
"I found that I really liked going to the custom shows, and I wanted to do them more," he says. "But to do that, you had to change your bike every year. So I rebuilt it. Probably about 10 times."
Mitchell also manages to coax from the modest Ness the overall secret to his success.
"I've always been kind of an idea guy, and I can do some stuff," he says. "But I need all of these other people to build it. I've been lucky. If you surround yourself with good people, good things happen."
Ness will be featured in the upcoming exhibit "Awesome-Ness," opening July 24 at the Museum.
Thanks to our Breakfast Sponsors
The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum's Daytona Friendraising Breakfast is
one of the premier events during Bike Week. This annual event allows you the opportunity to gather together and enjoy the company of friends old and new, meet some of motorcycling's legends, enjoy
a good breakfast, and provide support for the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. We offer our heartfelt thanks to the Event and Associate Sponsors whose generosity makes it possible for us to enjoy
this time together.
Keynote Event Sponsor
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Platinum Event Sponsors
Melbourne J. "Mike" Wilson & Margaret M. Wilson
The Sidewinders - Stan Simpson
Gold Event Sponsor
Ann & Oscar Scofield - Honoring Peter Colvill
Silver Event Sponsors
Christian Motorcyclists Association
John Penton Family
"Colorado 500"
Bronze Event Sponsors
Edd & Janet McGrath
Don Rosene - The Motorcycle Shop
Keith & Norma Fletcher
Tom Bartels
J & P Cycles - John & Jill Parham
Alexandra & David A. Kieffer, MD
Norman & Denise Smith
Victory Motorcycles
Gold Associate Sponsors
Barry L. Widder
IMO Carl "Pap" Schaeff er
J.E. Garrett Construction, Inc.
KK Motorcycle Supply, Dayton, Ohio
Lee Wimmer of Wimmer Custom Cycle
Leon Gerity
OMS Sports, LLC
Richard W. Kuechenmeister
Steve & Cindy Deloy
White's Harley-Davidson, Lebanon, PA
Silver Associate Sponsors
Bill Doppelheuer
Brian & Elizabeth Collette
Fred Bootz
Gene Bevilacqua
IMO Al Eames, Bud Peck, Emil Cocce
IMO Ben Root by Brother Dave
Jim Koenig
Michael W. Slate
Paul J. Krispin, Jr.