Some illegal motorcycle groups may be identified by a “1%” patch on the back. This is supposed to relate to the American Motorcyclist Association’s (AMA) statement that 99 percent of motorcyclists were law-abiding citizens, meaning that the remaining one percent were outlaws. A chapter or region is represented by the bottom rocker. For example, the International Brotherhood of Motorcycle Riders was known as the 1%.
There are two different versions of how this name came about. One says it was based on the number of members, while the other says it was based on the percentage of legal riders in America. Whatever the case may be, the AMA started using the term “one percent” in 1969 to describe these groups. Since then, many have adopted this name as a symbol of their loyalty to the outlaw lifestyle.
Many people believe that wearing the 1% patch means you go to great lengths to be an part of an illegal group. This is not true! The only thing that the patch has in common with an actual crime scene is that it is black and white. Otherwise, it is just a way for members to show their support for each other without getting arrested.
Wearing the 1% patch cannot get you into any trouble with the law. It is not a crime to wear this patch nor is it illegal for you to belong to an illegal group. However, if you are caught with explosives, drugs, or weapons then this would be considered criminal activity.
The one percenter Some illegal motorcycle groups may be identified by a “1%” patch on the back. Some historians believe the number comes from a speech made in 1955 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower who said that only 1% of motorists were responsible for most traffic accidents. Others say it comes from a survey conducted by the AMA in 1973 which found that only 1 in 100 motorcycles was stolen.
Today, many different types of patches are worn by bikers to identify themselves as part of a club or group. Most commonly, a patch can be seen on the chest area of clothing, but it can also be found on helmets, vests, and jackets. A patch can be anything that fits on your body, such as a sticker or embroidery design. The types of clubs that wear patches include Native American tribes, military units, and actual motorcycle clubs.
Motorcycle clubs often provide social events where members can meet others like them. These meetings are called “patch parties”. At a patch party, members get a chance to talk with other bikers, share stories, give out awards, and make new friends.
Clubs also use patches to distinguish themselves from other clubs.
The patch’s “13” represented the Top 13 “Outlaw” motorcycle groups in Southern California. The patch and trophy were presented to the top 13 illegal racing clubs. The diamond patch form was chosen since it already represented the anti-AMA campaign, and the AMA coined the phrase “99 percent of motorcyclists are law-abiding.”
The award was created by Bill King who owned a chain of car dealerships in southern California. He also had an interest in NASCAR and Formula One racing. In 1973, he formed the Top 13 Outlaw Motorcycle Club with his friends to promote automobile racing. They chose the diamond shape because it was easy to make and not likely to get wrecked like other forms of racing jewelry.
King wanted to give something back to the community that had given him so much over the years. When he died in 1975 at the young age of 36, the entire Top 13 club went out for dinner and drank many bottles of wine in his memory. This is when the tradition of drinking wine after winning the award started.
Wine has been a major part of the event ever since; you can still see photos of people wearing gold chains as a symbol of their status as a winner. The number “13” also has special meaning for those who win the award. You will never see someone else wear your title.
People love dressing up in vintage clothing and riding around on motorcycles so this award is perfect for those who live in Los Angeles.
The Bandidos Motorcycle Club, often known as the Bandido Nation, is a worldwide one-percenter motorcycle club. First formed in Texas in 1969, the Bandidos now have chapters in several countries including America, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine and Venezuela.
A 1% bandido is a member of the Bandidos who has been accepted into their organization. Only those who meet certain qualifications can become members. These include being at least 18 years old, a full-time student, and having no criminal records. Beyond this, members are elected by other Bandidos for life. There is no requirement to join the club to be called a “1%” bandido.
Bandidos rank their members with letters after their names. The first letter indicates where the person was born, so A1 through H8 are defined as different states in the United States. The second letter indicates where the person lives, so Aa or Bb.
Meaning of 3 Piece Patch The three-piece patch is intended to identify the group as a conventional motorcycle club, abbreviated as MC. This patch indicates that the club is not sanctioned by the American Motorcycle Association but is not necessarily a 1% club. The three-piece patch includes a red background with white letters on each side of the center section. The word “CUB” is written in blue within a circle on the front patch, and the word “SCU” in red on the back patch.
The first known example of a three-piece patch was used by the Iron Horse Harley-Davidson Club in 1947. Although not officially approved by the AMA, many clubs began using them instead because they felt the one-piece patch was too small for prominent display on a helmet.
Today, three-piece patches are commonly found on motorcycle clubs across America. They can be seen on members’ jackets, vests, pants, and helmets. Some clubs may have their own colors they can use for their patches, such as black for the Hells Angels or white for the Bandits. Other clubs will use red, yellow, green, or any other color that means something to them.
22. A member who has served time in jail The 666 Patch, which represents Satan’s mark, is worn on an outlaw member’s colors or tattoo. 666. The Hells Angels patch 666 Represents FFF, or Filthy Few Forever. The number shows that these men are not eligible to be voted out of the club.
In order to become a full patch Hells Angel you must first join the club and then be nominated by your chapter to become an outlaw. Outlaw status gives you the right to wear a black patch over your heart and a red “W” on your clothes. It also means that you can be forced into legal actions against the club. However, if the case goes to trial and you are found not guilty by reason of self-defense, then you will be reinstated as a member of the club.
The number appears on patches worn by members of other motorcycle clubs as well. For example, it is common for members of the Vagos gang to have the number 656 painted on their vehicles in memory of their fallen brothers. The Mongols also use the number as a patch code for members who have been killed in action.
There are several theories about how the number came to represent Satan. One theory is that it comes from a secret society known as the Illuminati.
Copyright © 2020 - 2026 Sportsmanist Inc.
