Twice in the last couple of months someone called the Bikernet offices on a Monday and dropped a weekend into the center of the week. Not bad. First the new-model call came from Buellton to ride the 2004 rubbermounted Sportster. Then last week I was ordered to fly to Oakland to meet the hardworking Victory crew. I was afforded one stinking hour to decide. Jump a plane or not. I chose to hit the road.

How about a Sportster driven sidecar from the Ness museum.

Just a portion of Arlen's trophy wall. Bev, (in cover shot with Arlen) his wife, has been stridently beside him since the beginning.

This is Arlen's next Victory chopper project. Benefits to using a Victory 92-inch drive-line include narrower, lighter configuration.

Last year I road-tested the new Vegas. Outstanding motorcycle from a power, styling, balance, comfort, fit and handling perspective. I was impressed. Arlen and Cory Ness were called to assist with appearance decisions which added style, finish and a unified touch. While flying up the coast of California I was confident in the outcome of two days in the Napa, wine country--I rewrote my will. A handful of moto-journalists from Iron Works, American Rider, Rider, Cruising Rider and Cycle World stepped off the plane. A stretched limo swept us to Dublin, California to the new home of Arlen Ness and family. The party kicked off with a brief presentation from the Victory and Ness crew, then dinner and drinks in the Arlen's packed museum. If you get a chance to wander through the facility, you'll witness vast, chromed and metalflake examples of custom motorcycling history from 1970 until today.

Arlen and son Cory Ness. Arlen's wife Bev and Daughter Cherry also work for the company. A solid family operation.

Early Ness customs.

The new Arlen Ness family showroom.

Arlen and Cory made room on the spacious granite-tiled showroom floor for American Iron Horse, Victory and Italian Vespa Scooters. They will soon be the largest (sales) Victory dealer in the country. Half of the shapely, two-toned Vespas they sell are sold to women. The centerpiece in the showroom was an Arlen Ness limited edition Vegas. Arlen is touching approximately 300, 2004 models with billet wheels, accessories and custom paint schemes. Only one will be available per dealer for a retail ticket of $19,999.

Mark Blackwell (left), VP from Victory and Ken Freund, senior editor of American Rider.

There had to be a girl.

Ness customs in his museum.

The only dual-overhead-cam engine on the planet. They're still working on them.

Arlen took care to laminate most of his magazine features. This is just a small portion.

The new Kingpin, a slightly heavier version of the Vegas, will retail for around $14,000 and the touring model of the Kingpin will slip out the back for $15, 299. While we toured the new 68,000 square-foot Ness Facility, Cory mentioned one of the impacts of the Polaris/Ness relationship,

Arlen and Bob Moon designed this shapely concept cycle to house the "Jet" power-plant. Watch for it.

Nothin' like buying parts directly from the home of the manufacturer.

The Ness retail parts department.

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