{"id":6911,"date":"2018-05-11T23:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-05-11T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hotbike.local\/basic_content\/ness-munro-arch-curtiss-motorcycles-stars-2018-quail-motorcycle-gathering\/"},"modified":"2022-01-02T17:58:45","modified_gmt":"2022-01-02T17:58:45","slug":"ness-munro-arch-curtiss-motorcycles-stars-2018-quail-motorcycle-gathering","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hotbike.com\/ness-munro-arch-curtiss-motorcycles-stars-2018-quail-motorcycle-gathering\/","title":{"rendered":"Arlen Ness, Burt Munro, And New Arch And Curtiss Motorcycles Are Stars Of The 2018 Quail Motorcycle Gathering"},"content":{"rendered":"

I<\/span>f you could gather the collective consciousness at the 2018 Quail Motorcycle Gathering, you\u2019d have a compendium of motorcycle history. It\u2019d be filled with firsthand accounts of both racing glory and ignominious endings. It\u2019d feature innovative tricks of the trade sitting side by side with marvelous feats of engineering straight from the factory. Between the 350-plus motorcycles spread about the lush lawns of the Quail Golf Club and the 3,000 builders, restorers, collectors, racers, and motorcycle enthusiasts filtering through its gates, the 10th annual Quail Motorcycle Gathering showcased the evolution of motorcycling, from turn-of-the-century singles to the new generation of avant-garde electrics.<\/p>\n

Chief Judge Somer Hooker <\/p>\n
\n
\n

Chief Judge Somer Hooker presides over a bounty of flawless motorcycles at the 2018 Quail Motorcycle Gathering.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Bryan Harley<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

A prime example of this year\u2019s diversity would be Legend of the Sport honoree Arlen Ness<\/a>, whose career as a custom motorcycle builder and painter extends more than 50 years and over three generations, as son Cory and grandson Zach have followed in his builder footsteps.<\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Three generations of Nesses<\/p>\n
\n
\n

Three generations of Nesses were in attendance at the Quail, with Arlen nabbing Legend of the Sport honors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Bryan Harley<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Arlen shared the tale of one of his most iconic builds, the digger known as \u201cUntouchable,\u201d with the enthusiastic Quail crowd.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, the red Knucklehead, the \u201947, that was my first bike. I paid $300 for it. I was bowling at that time and I\u2019d win little pot games and would stash the money and finally got enough to buy a bike, which [my wife] didn\u2019t want me to have. I kept watching one down in Oakland that had a for-sale sign on it. Finally I went down there and took somebody who knew how to ride with me, bought the bike, and he rode it home for me, or close. I got about a block from home then figured, well, I\u2019m going to ride it. Suicide clutch, of course, so I killed it about 20 times trying to go half a block,\u201d Arlen said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnyway, I pull up in the driveway, I\u2019m revving it, and Bev opens the kitchen door. She gives me this dirty look and slams the door. She was mad at me for a while but she got over it. She\u2019s still around,\u201d Arlen said as laughter rose from the crowd.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn those days we were showing in the Oakland Roadster Show. But if you wanted to show the bike the next year, you had to make major changes\u2014paint job or new motor, new frame. I just had the one bike so I just kept redoing it every year. It\u2019s been in its current condition for about 35 years now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joining Untouchable at the show was Arlen\u2019s Art Deco masterpiece called \u201cSmoothNess\u201d along with a personal fave, the orange and matte gray Dyna-style build with a Shovel lower and a Knuckle upper, one of the first of its kind outfitted with belt drive.<\/p>\n

Art Deco-styled SmoothNess<\/p>\n
\n
\n

One of Ness\u2019s most recognizable builds is the flowing, Art Deco-styled “SmoothNess.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Bryan Harley<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Cory Ness demonstrated that the apple doesn\u2019t fall far from the tree with the debut of his Indian digger<\/a> at the show, a motorcycle with both a single-sided swingarm and fork. \u201cI started with a Chieftain that had been wrecked. Built a frame for it from scratch. Did a single-sided swingarm and a single-sided fork. I drew the wheels up a long time ago. No engine mods, just a custom exhaust and air cleaner. The lower cam cover, horn cover, and the derby cover are something new we make for Indian. It\u2019s fun to ride, it practically weighs nothing,\u201d Cory said.<\/p>\n

digger-style custom motorcycle<\/p>\n
\n
\n

Cory Ness showed off his new digger-style creation, featuring a single-sided swingarm and a single-sided fork.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Bryan Harley<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Almost on par with the presence of the Ness family was the special showing of Burt Munro\u2019s 1920 Indian Scout Streamliner. This was the real deal, the one Munro painstakingly milked every iota of horsepower out of what was initially a 606cc engine. With only half of the streamliner bodywork attached to the frame, it was a treat to be able to intimately inspect Munro\u2019s highly modified engine, leaf spring fork, and extended tubular chassis. It was a special moment when they wheeled the streamliner onstage to accept the Spirit of the Quail award and fired it up. Granted, it doesn\u2019t sport the same crazy-high compression ratio it did when it was setting land speed records, but the historic Scout<\/a> still pounded out a glorious exhaust note. Many thanks to its current owner, Clyde Crouch, for sharing this iconic motorcycle with the masses.<\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
1920 Indian Scout Streamliner<\/p>\n
\n
\n

Burt Munro\u2019s original 1920 Indian Scout Streamliner was rolled out and fired up for the crowd to appreciate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Bryan Harley<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

While the 2018 Quail Motorcycle Gathering was rife with historic builds, companies seeking to write the next chapters in motorcycling\u2019s archives also used the show to unveil their latest handiwork. This included the North American debut of the Method 143, a wicked carbon-fiber-clad creation by Arch Motorcycle that blurs the lines between cruiser and sportbike. We asked the driving force behind the design, Gard Hollinger, what sets the Method 143 apart.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat all is unique to this bike? Almost everything. Single-sided swingarm, carbon mono-cell chassis, totally different geometry, different rider position than the KRGT-1. This idea of layers, so you see how the bodywork flows whether it\u2019s carbon, aluminum, or leather,\u201d Hollinger said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a preproduction prototype so when we get to production it will have a unique drivetrain, so a different transmission and drive system, and obviously the engine. The 143 cubic-inch engine will have its own unique downdraft system from what we use on the KRGT-1. And the wheels are proprietary. We\u2019re only going to build 23 of these.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Hard not to like a 2,343cc motorcycle with a titanium\/carbon-fiber exhaust based on MotoGP technology, an \u00d6hlins FGRT-series fork with a carbon-fiber airfoil that\u2019s proprietary, and radiant BST carbon-fiber turbine wheels designed in-house by the Arch team. Major Tom to ground control, we need clearance for liftoff because a new two-wheeled rocket has been born.<\/p>\n

And speaking of rockets, Curtiss Motorcycle used the 2018 Quail Motorcycle Gathering to debut its 2020 Zeus electric motorcycle. We say rocket because mind-numbing numbers like an estimated 290 pound-feet torque and 170 hp were bandied about in conversations on this bike\u2014Curtiss\u2019 first electric offering.<\/p>\n

Zeus concept bike<\/p>\n
\n
\n

Curtis Motorcycle Co.\u2019s Zeus concept boasts a spare frame and the unique arrangement of twin electric motors housed in billet bodywork.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Bryan Harley<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

But first, a little backstory. Curtiss Motorcycle Co. is the new name of Confederate Motorcycles, a company that for 26 years produced high-end internal combustion V-twins with a decidedly industrial design slant. The switch from Confederate to Curtiss not only reflects new branding, it signifies the company\u2019s switch from gas-fed twins to torque-rich electric engines. The first of these Curtiss electrics, the Zeus, features an \u201cE-twin\u201d motor; that\u2019s two electric motors mounted in one case, running on one shaft.<\/p>\n

While the bike\u2019s front end looks very Confederate-like, its twin electric motors, battery pack, and final chain drive are housed in billet bodywork. The rear is anchored by a single Race Tech shock. Curtiss\u2019 2020 Zeus prototype was singled out by motorcycle aerodynamics pioneer Craig Vetter for the Innovation Award at the show.<\/p>\n

These peeks at the future of motorcycling, however, did not prevent Doug and Marian McKenzie\u2019s 1913 Flying Merkel Twin, a motorcycle with more than 100 years of history, to claim Best of Show honors at the 2018 Quail Motorcycle Gathering.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s so many fascinating details about the Merkel. It\u2019s got full suspension front and rear, it\u2019s got a monoshock on the back, the oil tank is contained within the loop frame, it\u2019s just an incredibly advanced motorcycle for its time,\u201d said guest host Paul d\u2019Orl\u00e9ans, publisher of thevintagent.com.<\/p>\n

1913 Flying Merkel <\/p>\n
\n
\n

Doug McKenzie\u2019s painstakingly restored 1913 Flying Merkel nabbed Best of Show at the 2018 Quail Gathering.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Bryan Harley<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

McKenzie first bought the 1913 Flying Merkel Twin, sight unseen, from a gentlemen in Australia.<\/p>\n

\u201cI bought the bike 20 years ago. I bought it, learned to ride on it, and owned it for a decade. Then I sold it. The guy who bought it from me had it restored to the condition it\u2019s in now, then I bought it back about six to seven months ago. The bike means everything to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

The restoration of the 1913 Flying Merkel Twin was flawless, making it more than worthy of Best of Show laurels. Kudos go to Chief Judge Somer Hooker and his esteemed panel of experts for picking winners from among the numerous truly worthy entries at the 2018 Quail Motorcycle Gathering.<\/p>\n

2018 Quail Motorcycle Gathering Award Winners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Category<\/th>\nBike<\/th>\nBuilder<\/th>\nClass<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Best of Show<\/td>\n1913 Flying Merkel Twin<\/td>\nDouglas & Marian McKenzie \u2013 California<\/td>\nAntique Class<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Spirit of The Quail Award<\/td>\n1920 Indian Streamliner<\/td>\nClyde Crouch \u2013 Texas<\/td>\nCompetition On Road Class<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
25th Anniversary of the Ducati Monster Award<\/td>\n2010 Ducati Monster<\/td>\nIsaac Villanueva \u2013 California<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Caf\u00e9 Racers Award<\/td>\n1961 BSA DBD-34 Gold Star<\/td>\nCraig Steggall \u2013 Washington<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Electric Motorcycles Award<\/td>\n1974 Corbin Bonneville Partial Streamliner Salt Racer<\/td>\nMike Corbin \u2013 California<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Industry Award<\/td>\n1960 Harley-Davidson Super 10<\/td>\nJackson Burrows \u2013 Canada<\/td>\nCustom\/Modified Class<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Innovation Award<\/td>\n2020 Curtiss Zeus<\/td>\nCurtiss Motorcycle \u2013 Alabama<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Design and Style Award<\/td>\n1968 Ducati 250 Narrow Case<\/td>\nAnalog Motorcycles \u2013 Illinois<\/td>\nCustom\/Modified Class<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Heritage Award<\/td>\n1971 Honda CT70<\/td>\nSteve Mast \u2013 California<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
HVA Preservation Award<\/td>\n1920 Indian Streamliner<\/td>\nClyde Crouch \u2013 Texas<\/td>\nCompetition On-Road Class<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Significance in Racing Award<\/td>\n1981 Freddie Spencer\u2019s Factory Honda Racing NS750 Flat-Tracker<\/td>\nAnthony Giammanco \u2013 California<\/td>\nCompetition Off-Road Class<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Why We Ride Award<\/td>\n1970 Indian Little Indian<\/td>\nClive Belvoir \u2013 California<\/td>\nAmerican Class 1936\u20131979<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Extraordinary Bicycles\/Scooter Award<\/td>\n1969 Lambretta Vega<\/td>\nSiobhan Ellis \u2013 California<\/td>\nExtraordinary Bicycles & Scooters Class<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you could gather the collective consciousness at the 2018 Quail Motorcycle Gathering, you’d have a compendium of motorcycle history. It’d be filled with firsthand accounts of both racing glory and ignominious endings. It’d feature innovative tricks of the trade sitting side by side with marvelous feats of engineering straight from the factory. Between the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":45212,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[4787,1296,6],"motorcycle_parts":[],"motorcycle_models":[],"motorcycle_builders":[],"motorcycle_gear":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotbike.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6911"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotbike.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotbike.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotbike.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotbike.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6911"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hotbike.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6911\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotbike.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/45212"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotbike.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6911"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotbike.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6911"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotbike.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6911"},{"taxonomy":"motorcycle_parts","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotbike.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motorcycle_parts?post=6911"},{"taxonomy":"motorcycle_models","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotbike.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motorcycle_models?post=6911"},{"taxonomy":"motorcycle_builders","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotbike.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motorcycle_builders?post=6911"},{"taxonomy":"motorcycle_gear","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotbike.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motorcycle_gear?post=6911"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}