The dream of starting a venture with a close friend is a common fantasy. For Gard Hollinger, a seasoned custom bike builder, that fantasy became a reality in an unexpected way. After completing a bespoke motorcycle for Keanu Reeves, Hollinger’s initial instinct was to move on to the next project. However, Reeves had a different vision – one that would lead to the birth of Arch Motorcycles and revolutionize the landscape of high-performance, American-made bikes.
This is the story of how Keanu Reeves convinced Gard Hollinger to embark on an extraordinary journey, creating Arch Motorcycles from a single custom build into a respected name in the world of exclusive motorcycling.
Gard Hollinger and Keanu Reeves with an Arch Motorcycle prototype
From Hollywood Hills to Custom Bikes: Gard Hollinger’s Early Obsession
To truly understand the genesis of Arch Bikes, it’s essential to delve into Gard Hollinger’s early life and his lifelong fascination with motorized machines. His story begins in the Hollywood Hills of the 1960s, a world away from the sophisticated engineering of Arch Motorcycles, yet foundational to his passion.
“For me, it was very young,” Gard recalls. “I was eight years old, lived in the Hollywood Hills, and this was the mid to late ’60s. We had Schwinn Stingrays and we’d just tear around.” It was the sight of a neighborhood kid, Rick, on a modified Honda 50 minibike that truly ignited Gard’s mechanical curiosity. Mesmerized by Rick’s wheelies, Gard’s fascination quickly evolved into an all-consuming passion.
This early spark led to his first minibike, a purple Taco 22, a simple machine that became the canvas for his burgeoning mechanical skills. “I immediately started trying to modify that thing,” Gard explains, marking the beginning of his journey from a young enthusiast to a master builder of custom bikes.
Gard Hollinger working on a motorcycle engine
Island Life and Mechanical Aptitude
A significant shift in Gard’s life came with a move from the bustling Hollywood Hills to a tranquil island in the Pacific Northwest. This change, while a “culture shock,” further solidified his obsession with motorcycles. Despite the stark contrast in environments, Gard’s passion for bikes remained constant, manifesting in drawings during class and a growing mechanical understanding born from necessity.
“I started wrenching on them early just by necessity,” Gard recounts. Without mechanically inclined parents, repairs and modifications became self-taught lessons. “You start with necessity, like, ‘It’s broken and I want to ride it, so how do I get it running?’ To, ‘It’s not broken, but I want to change something on it,’ so then you start modifying stuff.” This hands-on approach, driven by a desire to ride and improve his machines, laid the groundwork for his future as a custom motorcycle craftsman.
Gard Hollinger standing next to a custom motorcycle in his workshop
From Racing to Creative Customization
Gard’s mechanical pursuits weren’t limited to tinkering; they extended into competitive motorcycle racing. This period saw him co-found Duval and Junior, a protective gear company for off-road motorcycles, and later open a motorcycle dealership. However, by his mid-twenties, a sense of burnout crept in. “I thought I had spent my life until that point being obsessed by them and where had it gotten me?” he reflects.
This temporary departure from motorcycles was short-lived. Inspiration struck in the form of Russ Tom, whose creative Harley-based builds reignited Gard’s artistic perspective on motorcycles. This marked a pivotal shift from motorcycles as purely functional tools to vehicles for creative expression.
Close up of the engine and frame of an Arch Motorcycle
Chop Rods and the Hollywood Connection
Returning to Los Angeles in the mid-90s, Gard’s journey took another turn. After a brief foray into acting, he circled back to his true calling – motorcycles. Working for a local Harley shop and subsequently launching his own venture, Ziggy Harley, Gard honed his skills and entrepreneurial spirit. This eventually led to Chop Rods, a custom shop focused on high-end, creatively designed motorcycles.
It was through Chop Rods that Gard’s path intersected with Keanu Reeves. Initially approached to build a sissy bar for Reeves’ Harley Dyna, Gard famously declined, stating, “Building a sissy bar for Keanu Reeves was not what I wanted to do.” This bold stance, rooted in a commitment to his artistic vision, intrigued Reeves and opened the door for a far more significant collaboration.
Gard Hollinger explaining details of an Arch Motorcycle to Keanu Reeves
The Birth of Arch Motorcycles: A Partnership Forged in Passion
Reeves, impressed by Gard’s custom builds and shared passion for motorcycles, posed a question that would change both their lives: “What if we made some more of them [like your custom bikes]?” Gard, initially hesitant, representing his self-proclaimed role as the “no” guy, was eventually swayed by Reeves’ persistence and vision.
The turning point came when Reeves reframed the question, asking Gard for reasons to start a motorcycle company, rather than reasons against it. This positive outlook, combined with the realization of creating something lasting and meaningful, resonated with Gard. “There’s an opportunity here for us to do something that’s special, and something that we both are passionate about, and care about, and something we could leave behind,” Gard realized.
This philosophical perspective, transcending typical business motivations, solidified the partnership and paved the way for Arch Motorcycles. It wasn’t just about building bikes; it was about crafting a legacy.
Side view of a rider on an Arch Motorcycle on a winding road
From Prototype to Production: The Arch Motorcycle Philosophy
The first Arch Motorcycle wasn’t conceived as a business venture but evolved organically from Reeves’ modified 2005 Harley Dyna. This prototype, born from a four-year collaboration, became the blueprint for Arch’s unique design and performance philosophy.
What set Arch Bikes apart was the fusion of custom craftsmanship with modern engineering. Gard’s expertise in hand-built motorcycles combined with CAD design to create machines that were both aesthetically striking and technologically advanced. This approach allowed for replicable manufacturing without sacrificing the bespoke feel of a custom build.
“There’s a big difference between building one-offs that might share parameters and building replicable machine pieces,” Gard explains, highlighting the challenge and appeal of creating production-ready custom motorcycles. This commitment to precision and innovation became a defining characteristic of Arch Motorcycles.
Front view of an Arch Motorcycle showcasing its unique design
A Pure Vision: Passion Over Market Trends
Arch Motorcycles stands out in the industry for its unwavering commitment to its founders’ vision, prioritizing passion over market trends and consumer surveys. This “two-buddy research” approach, as Gard humorously calls it, ensures that every Arch Bike reflects their shared values and dedication to motorcycle excellence.
“We’re doing what our passion is driving us to do, and fortunately, some people are responding to it,” Gard affirms. This purity of vision, focusing on creating exceptional machines driven by genuine enthusiasm, is a key factor in Arch Motorcycles’ continued success and unique appeal.
Gard Hollinger and Keanu Reeves riding Arch Motorcycles together
Arch Bikes: A Legacy of American Motorcycle Innovation
From a young boy captivated by a minibike in the Hollywood Hills to co-founding Arch Motorcycles with Keanu Reeves, Gard Hollinger’s journey is a testament to passion, perseverance, and the pursuit of motorcycle perfection. Arch Bikes represents more than just high-end motorcycles; they embody a dedication to American craftsmanship, innovative design, and a pure love for riding.
The story of Arch Motorcycles is a compelling narrative of friendship, shared vision, and the realization of a dream. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most extraordinary ventures begin with a simple question from a friend and a willingness to take a ride into the unknown.
Arch Motorcycle logo detail on a fuel tank
Special thanks to Gard at Arch Motorcycles for sharing his inspiring story.
