Elliot Ness was one of the “Untouchables,” a group famous for fighting the mob back in the Prohibition era. Arlen Ness (not related as far as we know) is famous for building high-end custom motorcycles. Though such bikes are rare,
Elliot Ness was one of the “Untouchables,” a group famous for fighting the mob back in the Prohibition era. Arlen Ness (not related as far as we know) is famous for building high-end custom motorcycles. Though such bikes are rare, Kaua‘i is home to a pro-street style Arlen Ness Lowliner motorcycle, owned by Po‘ipu resident Eric Eckberg.
Arlen Ness started building custom bikes in his home shop in San Leandro, California. His unique paint jobs first caught the eye of motorcycle enthusiasts, and Arlen Ness, Inc. continues to build custom bikes. That means nearly everything is specially made: frame, fenders, forks, tanks, exhaust pipes, and more. The firm has a catalogue that has several hundred pages of specialized motorcycle parts and a motorcycle museum with 40 Arlen Ness custom bikes.
Eckberg’s bike is stunning. The gracefully flowing tanks and matching fenders are painted with layered flames of candy apple, candy purple, and silvery bronze, all covered with five applications of clear coat by an Arizona painter. A caiman (a small crocodile from Central and South America) unwillingly contributed his hide to provide upholstery material for the saddle-like seat and matching tool bag, which was custom-made for Eckberg. The buckles on the tool bag are of sterling silver.
The Lowliner is powered by a 124 cubic-inch S & S Sidewinder engine that has a modified cam and special cylinder heads. A pair of Mikuni 48 smooth-bore side-draft carburetors are topped off with Wimmer intakes. The result is an engine that produces more than 150 horsepower—more than one pony per cubic inch. The “one-off” exhaust pipes are constructed of solid stainless steel and have ceramic coating on the inside to reduce engine heat. The Barnett belt-drive unit utilizes a lock-up clutch system, which reduces noise and vibration. Eckberg, an engineer and machinist, fabricated his own shift linkage. The custom rims wear Avon tires: a 140 on the front and a 300 on the rear.
Eric estimates he has invested close to $80,000 in the bike.
He has personally replaced most of the fasteners on the bike with stainless steel bolts. Could he ever part with it? Maybe — for the right price. See bikesales.arlenness.com/ness_production_choppers.php; the site contains additional information on Arlen Ness custom motorcycles, and features a number of custom bikes. When one sees what these bikes are selling for, it gives a different context for the term “untouchable.” In any event, an Arlen Ness custom bike would make a great Fathers Day gift, if anyone is looking for ideas.
