Guys - Does anyone know what exactly the 1% patch really means and how you get one? I know the history of 1% and how 99% of motorcyclists are good people and 1% are hoodlums, but the patch itself? 1) Can anyone put one on there coat and be a "bad ass"???? 2) Do you have to earn it? MDS
Trust me on this one. You don't want to know. Maybe at one point, these guys were real bikers. But that was a long time ago. Anytime, I'm anywhere and someone is wearing colors -- I don't make a fuss. I don't make a scene. But next time you look, I'm long gone. Dale
What's this? I've never heard of or seen a "1% patch" before? Anyone with a back story? I did a quick Google and only had a uninformative WikiLink come up. EDIT: Never mind, I found some information in regards to that. Hm, can't say I've ever seen that or at least made note of it.. Then again the only people I've ridden with are younger and ride street bikes.
Like Dr.Who said, it's best just to avoid the situation. I have seen it on either Mongol's jackets or Hells Angels colors. Even though the HA membership has changed a bit. I saw 2 very upwardly mobile looking guys drinking mixed drinks wearing prospects vests at a local bike night. I would still walk away. Don't be what I call the "corporate bad ass". Suit and tie M-F and on Sat, out come the leather chaps and a sneer for anyone who looks your way.
!% means your the craziest ************ that does the worst thing while in a gang. Because your already in a gang consisting of the non church going type. These special acts causes you to be in a 1% group. meaning only 1% ARE as bad, dishonest and pathalogic as you. It is supposed to be a honor if you hang out with bad people.
Unless you know exactly what it means and which clubs are recognized as such, you're asking for major trouble to wear such a patch, just because you feel like it. The patch, itself denotes the club, not the individual. ALL members of the club can wear it. Some do, some don't. A bit of history: http://crime.about.com/od/gangsters/g/OnePercenter.htm
I should really clarify....... I am NOT looking to wear the patch. I was at a bar last weekend in little old St. Cloud, Minnesota, and saw two "Sons of Silence" prospects and one had the 1% patch on. Somebody said you had to commit murder to get that patch. I was just curious what exactly it meant. Mike
Murder is not a requirement , and most never do more than the standard beat downs , sometimes on guys in thier own club.It started back in the late 40's when the AMA branded the more "rowdy" , and more than likely veterans that got hooked on living on the edge in combat as the 1% of biker's that are not mainstream. So the hardcore "clubs" have taken that to be a badge of honor.Some of the people in these clubs might suprise you , from obscure politicians to doctors & lawyer's. You would be suprised on how well disciplined these guys are , right down to military precision. Go to a party of thier's . It will generally go down this way: You get thru the gate (with many eyes upon you) Buy tickets like you would at a fair from the nice ladies , that have guys overlooking them for safety , These will be what you pay for food & bevearges with. When the party ends all the soldier's (usually probationary guys) start folding up tables,chairs and cleaning everything up , while the higher up's go into the clubhouse for more drinks. Certain hins they really don't care for are people eyeing them , clubs from area's away and unwelcome (HA/Mongols/Outlaw's) generally hate on sight. hey also may take issue with people wearing a 3 piece patch on thier jacket ...... especially if the bottom rocker has a state name on it , then the territory mentality takes over.
Well, let's see. The typical business model for most outlaw motorcycle gangs is: (1) gun running, (2) meth, (3) murder for hire, and (4) white slavery. Here's a little more on the white slavery division. Apparently, strip clubs need to rotate their dancers to provide fresh meat for their customers. So the biker gangs like to kidnap young girls and do a Patty Hearst on them, i.e., put 'em in a closest until they agree to work. While working, they watch for johns who leave with big flash rolls so their ol' men can roll them in the parking lot. After several rotations through all the clubs, the used up girls are sold off to affiliates in South America, hence the white slavery tag. You might think about this next time you go to a strip club. Dale
1% refers to people who think they are unique snowflakes so they join a club where everyone dresses the same, does the same drugs, makes the same low wages. But hey! They're special and unique! *lowsides bike while drunk*
Ck out "Gangland" on the History Channel: http://www.history.com/shows/gangland A couple of the episodes deal with bikers and mention 1%ers.
No reason for you to. But talk to someone in law enforcement, they can tell stories that will make your hair stand up. Dale
Wierd timing...I saw a biker looking guy in the Orlando airport yesterday wearing a black, sleeveless t-shirt with a large 1%er image on the chest.
Rydermike accurately outlined where the "1%er" terminology came from. It is generally associated with affiliated members of an organized "Outlaw" motorcycle club (that would be the MC on the jacket or "cut" AKA vest). If you saw SOS prospects it means they are not fully-patched members of the club but have graduated from "hang around" status to "Prospect" . Prospects may not be fully-patched but generally are close enought that they have the backing of the club. Opinions and thoughts vary as you can tell as to these clubs. My dealings with them have always been they pretty much keep to themselves and don't start trouble unless someone starts it with them and unfortunately that happens a lot. As far as wearing a 1%er "patch" I would not advise it but I realize that was not what you were asking about. Cheers
Follow-up - You do not have to commit murder to wear/earn the patch. The patch itself is by default proclaiming that you are indeed either an affiliated, fully-patched member of an Outlaw MC or you are a Prospect. So by wearing the patch you are stating proclaiming your loyaltly and affiliation to an MC. If you have the patch without the affiliation that can cause issues. If you have the patch and are in the wrong place at the wrong time and something happens you are by default expected to engage whereas if you are not wearing a patch you can just get the hell out of the way. The culture is very much about symbolism - like it or not. I saw some snot-nosed, squeaky-clean guy riding his brand-new Harley the other day with a perfectly sewn/embroidered "Sons of Anarchy" logo, Top rocker, bottom location rocker, MC patch, 1%er patch the whole nine-yards. Dangerous. Cheers
Just saw this at a gas station and made me think of this thread. There were three or four guys wearing Banditios vests with "probationary" on the bottom and all had on the 1% patch. None of them looked like they are a CPA during business hours, if you know what I mean. So what did the "probationary" on their vests mean? What kind of reputation do the Banditios have? I gather from this thread that as long as your CLUB is recognized as a 1% club, then anyone in the club can wear the patch? So what all clubs can wear it? Who decides which clubs can wear it and which can't?
I am thinking that the 1% patch is worn by mc members, prospects and affiliates. If you commit murder for the club you get to wear the ss patch. Now those are the guys to watch out for. It is a different world that they live in for sure.
"Probationary " means they are not a full member yet. Don't let them fool you. They may let some corporate types join to improve the local image but they are still running guns, drugs and prostitutes. You'll see charity fundraising to launder drug money. Women are property to abuse mentally, physically, and sexually. They do tend to keep to themselves unless they are drunk, high, or you look at them wrong.
They most definetaly allow well heeled cororate types in! Usually lawyers ,doc & dentist's as when they are in need of discreet services or court appearances they may have some "leverage" on making sure the suit & tie guy does his absoloute best effort. The "payoff" to that guy is in cash and for some just the thrill seeking wanting to believe they live on the wild side ....even if they are Ivy League in real life.
"Probationary" is generally one step up from "Prospect" - in some clubs they are the same rank. The larger clubs distinguish between Prospect and Probationary. The Banditos are one of the larger clubs - global organization. Sworn enemies with the Hells Angels. I won't comment on their reputation because that is a matter of opinion but there are plenty of documented incidents around the world that you can look up to form your own opinion. Again - anyone at any time can wear a 1%er patch. It is a personal expression - BUT - it generally means that you are a member of or otherwise supportive of the MC culture so it is usually best that you are indeed part of an MC if you display the patch. There are a lot of smaller MCs that are affiliates or support clubs for larger clubs and occupy areas where the larger clubs do not yet have chapters. Members of these clubs also wear 1%er patches although their MC is not as well known. If/when the larger club spawns a chapter in that area the members of the smaller clubs are generally provided the opportunity to be "patched over" into the larger club as long that they are in good standing. Hope this helps - Cheers
What part of this do you not understand? Back when I used to ride a lot, I always told my riding buddys that if someone shows up wearing colors, I'm gone. No fuss. No muss. I'm gone. BTW, if you were hanging with Banditios, there's a tape somewhere of you. Dale
Back when I was racing and had gotten my license to practice law, some scum bag from the Angels showed up at my house (I have no idea how they got my address), asking me to represent him. Didn't take him up on it, and never worked knowingly for any of them. They are total scum, you can't trust them, and they do terrible stuff. The world would be a much better place if they didn't exist. Listen to Dale, he has it dead to rights. Art
While I do not disagree with anything you or Dale has said I had some experiences with the Oakland chapter of HA in the old Sonny Barger days. 1st was a girl I was friends with in school. Her Father was a successful bail bondsman in Oakland. One of his clients was the Oakland Chapter HA. He held a deed to a piece of land as collateral because they were in constant need of his services. He died in a boating accident about the time I was out of college. She had been a good friend so I went to the funeral. There were a half dozen or so pimps with all their girls and just inside the door standing next to the biggest wreath I have ever seen (wreath was a floral reproduction of the HA colors) were 2 members in full regalia. Outside were probably another hundred on bikes. You should have seen that funeral procession. Only in Oakland. 2nd is I knew relatively well a couple of the Oakland members. A buddy and I rode with them a time or two, not the club, just them. From my contact I can say the organization is no prettier on the inside than on the outside looking in. It is even worse now with the heavier than ever organized crime involvement. There is real money at stake and they will protect it. I can say one thing though. If you know any on the inside and your motorcycle gets stolen, they WILL get it back.
