Sleddin' Around

SLEDDIN' AROUND

AH, ’TIS A VEXING QUEStion: How to have two motorcycles when you’ve only the garage space-not to mention the clean-up-time-for one.

You could follow the example of Harley-Davidson customizer Arlen Ness, who thought the problem over for about 1.5 seconds, and then created this (un)dresser, which he calls The Sled.

Ness’s Siamese-twin of a motorcycle features two complete sets of bodywork: The outer skin, which includes the bulbous tank and flared, deeply valanced fenders that make the bike’s look reminiscent of an Indian Chief; and the inner set, which includes a tiny, dragstyle tank and bikini fenders to give the bike a hot-rod/cruiser look. Depending on how he’s feeling, Ness either shows the bike in its, er, full-figured form, or he unclips a series of Dzus fasteners, whips off the exterior bodywork and a couple of small outer-fender stays, and exposes the inner beast. Simple, eh?

The machine is built around a 1987 FXR Big Twin engine and transmission, both rubbermounted in a custom-built frame, which was, like the bodywork and exhaust system, built for Ness by Bob Monroe of Concord, California. Paint was done to Ness-spec by Jeff McCann of Stockton, California.

What’s the bike worth? Ness says the Sled’s replacement value is about $100,000, but never mind, it isn’t for sale.

Jon F. Thompson