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In modern times there exists five major MC’s in the United States. The president of the mother chapter presides as president over the entire MC setting the rules and policies on various issues. Mother chapters are the first chapter established for that particular MC. There exists chapters (at least a six member minimum, and twenty-four member maximum before splitting into a new chapter) which is defined by a large group of MC’s that belong to specific area/ territory. Often times the structure of a motorcycle club is typical- there is a president and vice-president, a treasurer, a secretary, road captain and sergeant-at-arms. To belong to an MC was to belong to the counter-culture “outlaw” biker lifestyle committed to biking and brotherhood. Membership in an “MC” was far different then membership in a motorcycle club. This culminated until the one percenter’s disbanded and formed separate motorcycle clubs (MC) outside the AMA.
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This infuriated the AMA leadership which stepped up their “discouragement” policy in retaliation. Eventually the wives and girlfriends of these men began hand sewing small 1% patches that were adorned on the sleeves of their coats. To be treated in this manner was simply unacceptable, considering most of these men had just returned home from fighting a war. It came down to the harassment of those who rode these particular styles of machines within the club, and in some cases were even denied entry to AMA sanctioned events. They were the ones who rode “chopped” or “bobbed” bikes and wore old military attire consisting largely of bomber or field jackets (some of the more common biker wear of that era). The AMA could not be blamed for the actions that took place in Hollister so they placed the blame on the small group of weirdoes within the club. After much rambling and evasion of some rather embarrassing questions, they had quoted- “The trouble was caused by the one percent deviant that tarnishes the public image of both motorcycles and motorcyclists”. The meaning of both terms can be understood from an important statement made by the AMA during a press conference that was immediately held afterward in order to better explain the events that took place in Hollister. It was not until the events and repercussions of the AMA sponsored Gypsy tour held in Hollister, California on July of 1947 that had historically divided the club into two parts- one percenters and everyone else (ninety-nine percenters). Most members were generally good-mannered, law abiding citizens- as the AMA discouraged trouble of any kind (which certainly helped avoid bad press coverage). The first major motorcycle club was the AMA (American Motorcycle Association) which was funded in 1924. As these two-wheeled machines became more accessible, motorcycle clubs gained in popularity as motorcyclists joined together for strength in numbers and peer acceptance. Not only as affordable means of travel but sometimes more importantly a form of accelerated recreation.
#SONS OF SILENCE IOWA MEMBER NAMED CHOPPER PLUS#
Many having been exposed to motorcycles in the war, plus the increasing cost of gas and transportation back home, motorcycles were the obvious choice for many. After world war two, many soldiers returned home to the challenge of adjusting back to the slower-paced civilian jobs and peace of life.