The Digger trend was all the rage 35 years ago and Arlen Ness was there and remembers… In the 2011 Arlen Ness catalog, and as seen at the V-Twin Expo, this new sleek Digger Frame Kit to accept up to 23′ wheels, front and back. Constructed of 7/8th DOM steel tubing with a .188″ wall thickness for optimum strength and durability.
This frame accepts any Evo style Big-Twin noter up to 124″ and Softail style transmission. The kit includes the under-the-frame bolt-on oil tank, the battery/electrical box (serves also as coil and key switch mount). Rear Axle Included. Available in 2 configurations. 2″ stretch with 38-degree rake or 5″ stretch “Lowliner” style with a 1″ drop in the neck and and 38-degree. MSRP: $2,899.95. Arlen Ness.
Now Arlen has to show us a bike built with this frame.
Great frame with tank below Also time to bring back the old design like this for softail and swingarm as before. Great look.
Big inch motors and small OD tubing adds up to stress and vibration cracks. This ain’t 35 years ago.
Cantrell
I am sure he is gettin it made at daytec and it should be a quality made frame
Nice to see the elite “master builder ” is setting the pace by going back to what was going on 38 years ago. One would think that having ridden motorcycles for over 40 years, that you would have figured out that these back breakers should remain a historical footnote in the development of the motorcycle. Unless you’re going to hang it on the wall over the bar as a tribute to riding history, it’s just so much scrap iron…..
First off I love this blog, but it always amazes me that readers feel they have to project their negative opinions on every post. This is a nice frame and assesory package that brings the early custom rigids into the new building scene. Nice job Arlen!
Nice setup.
sorry rigid bikes are out you want wood wheels with it.
About 25 years ago I built a custom FXR with a Ness 7/8” frame. The bike had an 80” engine, but because the frame tube was 7/8”, the engine looked HUGE. The bike had Nitrous on it & was ridden all over Montana & Wyoming. This bike got the hell beat out of it on every gravel road around. There was never a problem with the frame in any way. I am happy to see another 7/8” frame from Arlen.
check out vintique cycles uk they are building trad diggers.
These frames make a great bike with lots of character and lots of fun to ride.
Glad to see that Cory Ness is reading the comments and commenting himself.
@ simonnormandin: Who said rigid bikes were out?!….What’s the capacity of that oil tank?
Oil tank holds 3.5 quarts..
nice!!
.188 = 3/16. I don’t see any problems with that –that’s a burly tube. Not sure how much of a “digger” it is with what looks like a pretty tame rake. But it’s a cool frame with some nice details. And the price isn’t bad. My shovel would look nice in that.
Nice
what took so long
Like this frame,and with name NESS behind,u are sure of quality.
Cory build a cool bike on this frame so that everyone can see what can be done with this frame.
Now Arlen needs to bring back a repop of the old narrow springer with enough room for a disk brake. Fast Freddy M.