The Quail Motorcycle Gathering, presented by GEICO Motorcycle, a Peninsula Hotels’ Signature Event, will show 300 pre- and post-war bikes alongside three new classes on May 5. Three generations of the Ness family will provide custom builds for the display, which will also feature an electric class that showcases the evolution of the alt-power motorcycle and a Café Racer class highlighting hand-built bikes with the stripped-down style first popularized on England's backroads. The event will be family-friendly, and gourmet food and live music will be available on the lawns of Quail Lodge & Golf Club.
Arlen Ness Enterprises, led by Arlen Ness, his son Cory Ness and grandson Zach Ness, is the only family-run business in the motorcycle industry involving three generations of designers, and is also an international leader in product design and distribution. Boasting 45 years in business, the family's legacy will be recognized as Arlen Ness will be named the 2018 “Legend of the Sport,” and bikes from his family’s Dublin, Calif. museum will stand proudly upon the event field.
Arlen Ness will display a few of his most notable builds, such as the Art Deco-inspired “SmoothNess” and the 1947 Harley-Davidson El Knucklehead known as “Untouchable.” Cory Ness, Arlen's son, will showcase his own flair with one of his favorite builds, the “Curvaceous-Ness,” which has been featured in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Design Museum. He will also debut his latest build, the “Single-Sided Indian Digger.” Zach Ness, the youngest of the three, will demonstrate his design perspective through a collection of bikes including a 145 Cubic Inch Chopper, an Indian Custom Scout and a Shovelhead Custom Build.
"I have lived in Northern California most of my life, so having our family, our business and our bikes featured at The Quail Motorcycle Gathering is like being honored in front of a hometown crowd," said Arlen Ness. "Back when I started building and riding custom bikes, if you rode a Harley or had long hair you were considered an outlaw. People didn't want you in town. It's been a pleasure watching how the culture has changed over the decades and being a part of it all. I can't wait to see the bikes on the field and to meet fans and fellow riders at The Quail Motorcycle Gathering."
Besides the Ness family bikes, the show will feature a numer of Electric Motorcycles and Café Racers. Famed motorcycle seat engineer Mike Corbin will showcase a 1975 Prototype Corbin-Gentry Electric Motorcycle X2 and one of the first electric motorcycles to be registered in many states, the Corbin-Gentry X1 Electric-Powered “City Bike.” The Café Racer class will be headlined by classics such as a 1967 Triton Café Racer, a 1966 Velocette MS and an aluminum 1971 T 100 R Daytona, Triumph’s most popular 500 twin.
“We select bikes that truly embody the spirit of motorcycling - from the eccentric and extravagant to the traditional and timeless,” said Gordon McCall, Director of Motorsports for The Peninsula Signature Events. “Each bike at The Quail Motorcycle Gathering will represent a historical aspect or future trend that has impacted the industry and left a legacy of inspiration regarding the way bikes will continue to be built and designed. We are proud to present these featured bikes for our 2018 show and are sure that our guests will appreciate the broad selection of bikes on display.”
Tickets to the show include a gourmet lunch, parking and gear valet service for those riding a motorcycle. For more information about the event and how to purchase tickets, please visit www.quaillodgeevents.com.