Harnes was a founding member of the Norwegian branch of the Bandidos, which was established in 1995 during the Nordic Biker War. He went on to serve as the club's national president. On 10 March 1996, Harnes was shot in the chest and wounded by Hells Angels member Torkjell "Rotta" ("Rat") Alsaker in the arrivals lobby at Oslo Airport, Fornebu after he returned from a Bandidos function in Helsinki, Finland. Alsaker, president of the Oslo Hells Angels chapter, was found guilty of shooting Harnes and sentenced to three years in prison in November 1998. In 1999, Harnes met with Prime Minister of Norway Kjell Magne Bondevik during an anti-violence event.