Awesome-Ness On Exhibit

AWESOME-NESS ON EXHIBIT

LEGENDARY MOTORCYCLE customizer Arlen Ness, Ibuilder of groundbreak ing, one-of-a-kind showbikes for more than four decades, is the subject of a new exhibit scheduled to open on July 24 at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum located in Pickerington, Ohio. Titled “Awesome-Ness,” the exhibit honors the man who, more than any other individual, was the driving force behind the custom-bike movement that gathered momentum in the late 1960s and grew to a worldwide phenomenon that continues to this day.

Awesome-Ness will feature 11 of Ness’ more memorable creations, including “Untouchable,” the 1947 H-D Knucklehead that launched his career; “Ness-talgia,” a bike styled like a 1957 Chevy; “Mach Ness,” pow-

ered by a turbine engine from a helicopter; and "Two Bad," perhaps his most elaborate and bizarre creation involving two supercharged 1000cc Sportster engines and his own

rendition of a swingarm front suspension with hubcenter steering.

Ness’ work has had considerable influence on motorcycle styling, affecting everyone from other custom builders to factory designers. He was inducted into the museum’s Hall of Fame in 1992 and is only the second designer, following Craig Vetter, to be honored with an exhibit there. “Like Vetter, Ness’ career shaped the entire motorcycle industry,” said Mark Mederski, the museum’s executive director. “Ness’ contributions, both creatively and from a business perspective, have fueled a global fan club that just keeps growing.”

Paul Dean