Talk:Outlaw biker

"outlaw biker (stereo)typically rides a Harley-Davidson motorcycle" WHAT???? Sorry, no... They tend towards ANYTHING with two wheels (they practically invented FTW) and have NO loyalty to H-D whatsoever.

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Not necessarily true... The first so-called "outlaw" motorcycle clubs were established by returning WWII veterans that had ridden HD's in the war. Indians were the only serious competitor at the time, and HD's were preferred. Even with the eventual influx of Japanese motorcycle, I'm sure that even the dimmest wit could see the incongruity of a WWII vet riding a Japanese motorcycle. While British bikes were certainly tolerated, American iron was still preferred and that tradition has carried on to this day by majority of MC's (not to be confused with Riding Clubs,) but most especially outlaw clubs. In 30 years of riding I have NEVER witnessed a member of ANY outlaw club riding ANYTHING other than a Harley-Davidson.Norton72 13:29, 16 April 2006 (UTC)

I have removed the Harley reference, as well as the reference to wearing a vest, since that really does not uniquely identify a outlaw biker. Please be bold and help out as this article is in need of expansion, cleanup and sources! Mceder 20:16, 12 February 2006 (UTC)

"separated into 3 parts for prospects(nominees, not yet full part of the gang) or one full piece for full members." That is NOT correct... Full members wear the three piece patch...  Prospects wear a one piece patch. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sorry, but the ABOVE statement is ABSOLUTELY NOT correct.

"The AMA was founded in 1924 as an organizing arm of Motorcycle Manufacturers and mainly supported by the Motorcycle Manufacturers

to promote motorcycle riding in America. They sanctioned groups of riders from the same area that rode together as motorcycle 'clubs'.

Some wore complete matching dress outfits with the name of their motorcycle club stitched on the back of their shirts and jackets. At events, the AMA gave awards for the best-dressed club so this was the start of motorcycle club’s patches. During an event in 1947 in Hollister, CA when a member of the Booze Fighters Motorcycle Club made the headlines with an exaggerated

news story that was later made into a movie called 'The Wild Ones'. The AMA wrote an article in their magazine, shortly after this stating, '99% of all of their members are law-abiding citizens and only 1% are

"outlaw" '. This then, began what is today known as Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs and one percenters. Clubs that were not sanctioned by the AMA

and non-members of the AMA were banned from attending AMA events.

"In order to designate themselves as an outlaw club to all other clubs, the one percenters cut their club patches into three separate pieces.

The top rocker was the name of the club, the center was the emblem of the club, and the bottom rocker was the local from which they came.

These outlaw motorcycle clubs put on their own events and parties and did the opposite of what the AMA had been doing. There were no

Best Dressed awards, they 'chopped' down their bikes to go faster and look different, rode with no mufflers, they would drink, and do other

'wild' things. Such is history.

"The term 'colors' is used in referring to a motorcycle clubs’ patch set up. In the case of a 3 piece ..... One is placed over the top of the

middle large graphic patch and one placed underneath it. The 'rockers' are usually curved bars with the top bar designating the club name

and the lower bar designating the location of the club. The two rockers are separate from the middle, larger graphic type patch, hence the

term three-piece patch. Motorcycle clubs differ from motorcycling organizations as they traditionally have 'prospecting' time required before

the club members decide whether the individual will be accepted into the group and allowed to wear or 'fly' the 'colors' of the group. Most club

'colors' will also have M/C printed on the 'rocker' or a separate 'cube' patch with MC on it to further clarify it as a club rather than an

organization.

"Many national organizations in the early 1980’s set policy to unite their 'rockers' with their patch to make it one piece to avoid any

designation or confusion within the motorcycling club community. H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) and the Blue Knights (police officers) are an

example."

"As motorcycle club patches are recognized today:

• A one-piece patch normally signifies a family club or Social motorcycle club when it's done with respect to the area clubs.

• A two-piece patch can have many different meanings as long as it's done with respect to the area clubs.

• A three-piece patch normally means that the club is a Traditional MC club. With the top rocker being the club name, the middle being their

patch and the bottom being the territory they exist in. There are also a few 3pc patch clubs where the bottom rocker has something other

than territory, such as a saying. The traditional MC is one that adheres to the protocols and traditions established. There are few exceptions,

but traditional clubs are approved by the local dominant. The traditional 3pc patch club is not necessarily a 1% club or even the dominant

club." (http://hellbentmc.homestead.com/PatchHistory.html) Norton72 13:29, 16 April 2006 (UTC)

Unencyclopedic advice
I removed this piece of advice:

"One of the most important things to remember when dealing with ANY Motorcycle Club (MC) member, is to treat them as you want to be treated. Respect is a big deal in their world, so show respect and you will get respect."

I don't think unsupported advice of this kind is encyclopedic. Andran 02:26, 29 March 2006 (UTC)

Well, I wouldn't advise treating them with DISrespect.Norton72 13:28, 16 April 2006 (UTC)
 * What you (or anyone else) would advise may be correct, but is irrelevant to an encyclopedia. Besides, it was poorly worded: "one of the most important things to remember"? Says who? Andran 01:16, 18 April 2006 (UTC)

I'm not sure who worded that line. I can't even remember now if I am the one that posted it but if I did, it was most likely quoted from the same source as shown above in which case, a member of the outlaw biker club is "who says." Also, this being the discussion section, I was not aware that we were restricted to encyclopedic material. Or was this in the actual article? I don't remember. --Norton72 16:38, 24 September 2006 (UTC)

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I'm new, but the claim that outlaw bikers should not be considered gang members is silly, and the admonishment of any authority that argues they are is unfounded. I'm not changing anything, but I wish someone with more standing would. Thebookpolice 21:26, 10 April 2006 (UTC)

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"Additionally, some law enforcement agencies have unjustly given these motorcycle clubs the label of "gang." This is not an accurate representation and should not be considered as an authoritative description."

Why should they not be considered gangs as described by law enforcement? -- stewacide 07:50, 12 April 2006 (UTC)