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18 | WheelsOfGrace.com | Issue 45 History of the Part 5 3-PC PATCH 3-PC PATCH Disclaimer: This series of articles have been the most popular series in demand ahead of the series Christians and Tattoos. The articles are published to inform the motorcycle rider of a world within the world of motorcycling. Motorcycle Clubs have been around for over 60 years. Although some may not agree with some of the articles we publish, these articles were written by and from the perspective of Motorcycle Club members. We would like to hear your feedback. We did not write the articles, we did not make the rules nor support or not support any of the written. These articles are for "educational purposes". Li le scholarly research exists which addresses outlaw motorcycle clubs for the obvious reasons. These works a empt to explore warring fac ons of outlaw clubs, provide club members' perspec ves about media portrayal, expose myths, and elucidate motorcycle club culture. The literature reveals gaps which leave many unanswered ques ons: Where do outlaw motorcycle clubs come from? How did they start? How or why did they evolve into alleged interna onal many believe to be crime organiza ons? The few histories of outlaw motorcycle organiza ons date the origins of such clubs to around 1947 and tend to oversimplify the issues of why these clubs formed and who actually joined them. Histories such as these are built on founda ons of weak evidence, rendering inconsequen al the origins of the subculture and relega ng members of early organiza ons to the marginal status of "malcontents on the edge of society, and other an social types who just wanted to raise hell". This ar cle extends current research by reaching back nearly half a century before 1947 to link the dawn of motorcycle organiza ons with the present reality of outlaw motorcycle clubs. The overarching goal of the ar cle is to offer a more comprehensive history, an evolu onary history that may allow for a be er understanding of contemporary motorcycle subculture. What follows is a taxonomy of social and historical factors affec ng group forma on of motorcycle clubs according to the following temporal classifica on: 1. Reforma ve period: 1901-1944, the genesis of social organiza on around motorcycling 2. Forma ve period: 1945-1957, social and historical events of the post-World War II era coalesced in the forma on of outlaw motorcycle clubs, and 3. Transforma ve period: 1958-present. Underpinning the primary and secondary historical data cited in this essay are in-depth interviews with and personal histories of long- me members of outlaw motorcycle clubs, both one-percent and non-one-percent organiza ons. A Brief History of "Outlaw" Motorcycle Clubs By William L. Dulaney This ethnographic study, took place primarily in the southeastern United States (e.g., Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia), but extensive par cipant observa ons took place in Texas, New York, Indiana, Ohio, Arkansas, Utah, Arizona, and California while a ending regional and na onal motorcycle club gatherings. Finally, a point of clarifica on is in order. For the purposes of this essay the term outlaw is used to describe motorcycling organiza ons that are not affiliated with the American Motorcyclist Associa on (AMA), and the name of a specific motorcycling organiza on (i.e. the Outlaws Motorcycle Club). It is important to note that for the purposes of this essay the term outlaw does not, in and of itself, refer to the breaking of law. However, when used in the context of describing "one-percent" motorcycle clubs, which are defined in detail below, the term takes on a more ominous tone. It is not my inten on to suggest that the term outlaw is synonymous with illegal endeavor; rather, I wish to outline important differences and commonali es between one-percent and outlaw motorcycle clubs. 1%er: The expression "1%", "1%er" or "1 Percenter" was coined when the AMA (American Motorcycle Associa on) was said to make a statement in response to the 1947 Hollister Riot in Hollister, California which stated that 99% of motorcycle riders are law-abiding ci zens. Not long a er the comment was made by the American Motorcycle Associa on the clubs of the me stated that they were the other 1%. An Outlaw Motorcycle Club is a motorcycle subculture that has its roots in the immediate post-World War II era of North American society. It is generally centered on the use of cruiser motorcycles, par cularly Harley- Davidsons and choppers, and a set of ideals that celebrate freedom, nonconformity to mainstream culture, and loyalty to the biker group. In the United States, such motorcycle clubs (MCs) are considered "outlaw" not necessarily because they engage in criminal ac vity, but because they are not sanc oned by the American Motorcycle Associa on (AMA) and do not adhere to the AMA's rules. Instead the clubs have their own set of bylaws reflec ng the outlaw biker culture. The U.S. Department of Jus ce however, defines "outlaw motorcycle gangs" (OMG) as "organiza ons whose members use their motorcycle clubs as conduits for criminal enterprises". Editor's Note: The above informa on is for 'knowledge'. Please read and share with your organiza on. If you are a Born Again Chris an the Gospel is your first Priority. Your purpose is to let others know about God and His Son that sets everyone free. So please, don't let pride get in the way of being the only image of Jesus some will ever see. Pick up our next issue for Part 6 of The History of the 3-PC PATCH series. 18 WheelsOfGrace.com Issue 45