Archive for the ‘Motorcycle Club’ tag
Why speak to the Motorcycle Clubs in your area before starting a new MC?
I want to address a question I have gotten a lot recently. (I am sure it has a lot to do with the hit show Sons of Anarchy) It is from people who want to start new Motorcycle Clubs. They want to know if they should go to the predominate MCs in their area to talk about starting a new MC first. Many have said to me they do not understand the reason why they should go talk to them! Some have even gone as far as to say that if they have to go to the predominate MC in their area and ask permission that just proves that MC is a Criminal Gang! Not sure how they came to that conclusion but they are some very strong words sent over the computer.
I want everyone to remember I am writing this info as a guideline to those who are looking to get into the MC world and individual results may vary. This maybe some new fad to you but to true Motorcycle Club Members this world is everything!
For my answer to this Question I am going to put aside any statements of having to ask permission of the MCs in your area first. I am going to instead ask why would you not speak to the MCs in your area and get their Blessing first before starting a new Motorcycle Club. Many say it’s because they are going to start a different type of Motorcycle Club. They may even be calling themselves something different like a Riding Club or a Motorcycle Association. Are your Members going to ride Motorcycles and have patches on their vests? If the answer is yes, Then again why not go speak to those who have come before you and paved the roads you now wish to ride down!
For many I know the reason they don’t want to ask is simple fear! Fear of what they do not know or what they think they do know. If it is fear, then it is because you do not know the real Motorcycle Club world! Now every Motorcycle Club in the world is different. But most Motorcycle Clubs don’t mind helping to get a new MC started and teach them what it really means to be in a Motorcycle Club, I can guarantee you it is something you will not learn on TV no matter how many episodes you may watch!
Now if you have decided that what you really want is to start up a new Motorcycle Club, One thing I want to make sure you know is something every Father should have taught his Son as a Child and that is “Do not lie and Always do what you say you are going to do” One fact I will also give you is the MC world is all about Respect! If you just start up a new MC without talking to the other clubs in your area that will most likely be seen as disrespectful!
Let’s think about some other reasons you would want to talk to the MCs in your area first. You are going to want to make sure your new Patch or MC name is not similar to another Motorcycle Club. Many MCs have worked hard over the years to create a name and image for themselves. They will not like the idea of you either using a name close to theirs or wearing a patch that looks like theirs. The reason being is a simple one, They do not want you being mistaken for them doing anything that would make them look bad. You also could be seen as trying to ride on their coat tails by using the reputation they have worked hard for. You may not understand it now but the MC world is a Brotherhood and if you are fortunate enough to be welcomed into it, You will understand after years of working hard creating a name for your MC. The bottom line is meeting with the MCs in your area and talking with them before starting a new MC is the right thing to do!
Another fear many have is they wrongly believe they will be forced to do things for these other MC’s. The only thing most Clubs may ask of you is to come to a few of their events each year have fun and again to show Respect!!!
Now I have heard complaints from many that there are areas where the MCs have decided they do not want any more new MCs! Well all I can do is guess why that might be! The reason I would think that Motorcycle Clubs would say no more Clubs in an area is that there are already a lot of different MCs in that area and they all get along real well. These MCs would not want anything new coming in and messing up the harmony they have created.
Now like I said before the reason most say they want to start a new MC is because they want to start something different then what is in that area. Well often that is not the truth. The real reason People usually want to start a new MC is because they do not want to have to Prospect! If the only reason you want to start a new MC is because you are not willing to prospect, My best advice to you is to stay an independent rider because you will not last long in the Motorcycle Club world anyway!
I am Your Bro LJ James AmericanBikerX.com
LJ hosts a online Bike Show every week . The show can be heard live or Replay . LJ works to show the facts between real MCs and programs like sons of anarchy
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How Important is Prospecting?
As a Member of a Motorcycle Club, I wanted to give some advice to new Clubs out there that are starting up and to those looking to become part of a Club on why I feel Prospecting is so important. I hope I can help make it clear.
I hear members of new Motorcycle Clubs say things like “We do not prospect people” or “We met someone and liked them so we gave them a Patch”. To some of you out there this many sound unbelievable, but trust me it not only happens in many new MCs, it is the reason most new MCs do not make it threw their first year.
Finding a person you like and get along with is a great start. I have many real good friends I like, But I do not know if they would make good Club Members or not. If a person is going to be your Motorcycle Club Brother you need to get to know him as a Club Member first and he needs to get to know what it means to be a part of the Club!
I have spoken to many members of very casual Clubs and I hear a similar story over and over again. The story is how a group of them had been riding together for years having a great time and all getting along. Well one day a new person shows up maybe a friend of a member and he seems like a nice guy. He rides with them a couple of times and they let him into the Club. Right after he becomes a member he turns into a total moron! Now He is going places representing himself as a member of the Club making others hate him and the Club in the process. He starts making it so good members who have been around for years no longer wish to be a part of the Club! Some members want to throw him out, others say they cant do that. The Club is in total chaos and all are in fear of the club shutting down!
What should they do? Well all these problems could have been avoided if the person had prospected! By having a person prospect you can get to know them and see what they are really like. It is easy for a person to behave real well for a few days, but give them a little time and their true Colors will show!
Now how long should you prospect a person for? Well that depends on you and your Club. How much does your Club mean to you? Should you prospect the person three months? Six Months? One Year? I feel the answer is real simple, you and your Club members set a Minimum time limit and then you Prospect the person until they have become a Member and not a moment before that!
Now Prospecting is not just for the Club to find out if they want a person as a Member. It is also for the individual to find out if they want to be a Member of that Club. There is no shame in the fact that a certain Club may have not been for you. If it wasn’t Im pretty sure there is a Club out there for you. Most people don’t get married to the first person they meet in life. They look around till they find the one that’s perfect for them! Like People all Clubs are different and Prospecting is going to be different from one Club to another.
Now it just maybe only my opinion, but I have always felt prospecting is not about trying to break a person. Prospecting is about a person turning into a Member of your Club. Some will rise and become a Brother others will not! My Club Brothers are as close to me as my real Brother. They are all strong adult men who have proven themselves! Not Boys who are looking to prove something to themselves! We all get along great and the only way to keep the Club that way is Prospecting!
I have heard many who have been involved in a Motorcycle Club say that they feel the Brotherhood of the Motorcycle Club world no long exists! I want everyone to know that just because it may not have been there in the Club they were apart of, or tried to become a part of does not mean it has gone extinct! I know that the Brotherhood of the Motorcycle Club world is alive and strong because I am a part of it!!!
I am Your Bro LJ James AmericanBikerX.com Listen to my Radio Show at BikerLowdown.com
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The First Banning of a Motorcycle Clubs Colors in the USA
If you are a Member of a Motorcycle Club as I am, I’m sure you have heard about how a Judge has banned the Colors of the the Mongols Motorcycle Club. Not only are the Members not aloud to wear their Colors, but any item that’s has their Colors on it must be forfeited upon demand. I can not expect many who are not in a Motorcycle Club to understand what this really means! Twenty years ago this would have struck fear into the soul of every American Citizen! Today I am sure most probably will not even hear about it and those that do will probably not care! What has happen to this Country?
I can not believe this is actually happening, I have been writing stories on this for years. Part of me had always hoped I was just being paranoid or that all the MCs would some how come together on some level and work out the problems. I have been getting emails on how the Story I wrote last year called “Taken from a History book in the year 2095″ does not sound so far fetched any more?
Are there Criminals in Motorcycle Clubs? We hear about Drug dealers, Rapists and Murderers in the NFL and NBA all the time. When was the last time you heard of a Biker running a Dog fighting ring? Can a Judge just ban the Logo of a Sports Franchise if its Members are involved in some kind of Criminal activity? You may be saying “No way” because its different. Well I say it is only different because they haven’t done it yet! There are the same problems in Motorcycle Clubs that there are in all organizations. The Police force has much more Criminal Activity going on in it then all the Motorcycle Clubs put together! Only Difference is they can bury the Truth! When it comes to Motorcycle Clubs and criminal activity the big difference is, The legend of Motorcycle Clubs is, we are America’s bad boys and it just sells so dam good.
This law can not be allowed to stand!!! I am sure some Sport Bike Clubs and AMA Club’s feel they have nothing to fear! I am sure many are thinking this has nothing to do with them, Its only the Outlaw and 1% Clubs! They are thinking this isn’t about us “we are the good guys”. This always happens this way, take down the top level’s first! The other levels will make excuses as to why it is not their fight and stand aside. All Bikers must join the fight now because once they are done with the Outlaw and 1% Clubs, Who do you think they will be looking at Next? Once the Outlaw/ 1% Clubs are gone there will be no one left to come and help when they come for you!
I am pretty sure this is still the USA and this is completely against everything this Country was founded on and stands for! We all must ask, If this ruling is allowed to stand what Motorcycle Club will it be next? Will it be yours? What will the reasons be that they will use to ban your Clubs patch ? Will Jay walking be enough? Is that too ridiculous? How about if your an MC member and you get caught with a bag of marijuana? Is that enough? Will there have to be 2 Members involved? 3? What reason will they need to ban your Motorcycle Clubs patch?
When Motorcycle Clubs start having their Colors banned many members will start or join new Clubs,Because that is what we are Motorcycle Club Members! Soon the government will realize this and then Ban Motorcycle Clubs all together! Any one who thinks their Club is not at risk is kidding themselves! The time to unite and try to work together was yesterday! Today we have no choice but to ban together and fight for or right to survive for tomorrow it will be time to hide!!!
Even if some how all Motorcycle Clubs can come together and work to win this fight, It is just the beginning and there will be many more rounds to come. If we are to win this fight we MUST at least make it to the 2nd round, Then we will have a Minute to pull ourselves together!!!
I am Your Bro L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com Listen to LJs Radio Show at BikerLowdown.com
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LJ James reviews “Sons Of Anarchy”
I have just finished reviewing the 2nd episode of the brand new FX show “Son’s of Anarchy”. I have been a a big fan of another FX Show “The Shield” for years and I have to say, I have enjoyed “Sons of Anarchy” so far. The show has awesome bikes and ton’s of action!
As a Member of an Outlaw Motorcycle Club, I can see many mistakes already in the show. One thing that really surprised me is how people have reacted to the show and me personally. People who know I’m a member of a Motorcycle Club are asking me, “You guys aren’t really like that, are you?” Most of these people have known me for years! Now after a couple of episodes of “Sons of Anarchy” their wondering if I’m leading some kind of double life.
Can you imagine if a show about criminal killer Florists came out? Would people ask them if they where really like that? One fact of life about being a Biker I have come to except is, it’s real easy for people to think of Bikers as the bad guys. It’s always been that way. I wonder how many Cops had people ask them the same question when the Shield came out? I also wonder how many Cops who watch the Shield and know that show is fiction will watch “Sons of Anarchy” and think that’s how Motorcycle Clubs really are! The show “Sons of Anarchy” is fiction and it is way over the top.
Son’s of Anarchy is going to shine a lot of light onto the Motorcycle Club world. Where as the last 10 years have been all about Motorcycle Builders and has led to a lot of people getting into Motorcycle Riding, I believe the next 10 years will be all about Motorcycle Clubs. Now this show could be a good thing for Motorcycle Clubs if, in-between all the fictional action, it also focuses on the bond of Brotherhood Motorcycle Clubs are based on.
Although there is opportunity for “Sons of Anarchy” to make a positive statement about Motorcycle Clubs, I have a feeling the show will have a negative impact on Clubs, Independent Bikers, and the Motorcycle Community in general. All they would have to do is highlight the good stuff Motorcycle Clubs do and the positive impact that they have on their communities, I don’t think that is the way the program will go.
All the Motorcycle Clubs out there are going to need to keep their eyes wide open and watch any new prospects. MCs need to make sure that new prospects are there for the Brotherhood and betterment of the Club and the community. You don’t want prospects to try and live out some misguided fantasy they may have seen on TV or in some Movie. Another huge concern of mine, people who will just go out and throw on a set of patches and think they are the “Sons of Anarchy”. The Motorcycle Club world is all about Respect. There is a serious protocol that is followed by all Motorcycle Clubs. I would not recommend violating that protocol in any way.
Motorcycle Clubs have spent the better part of the past 20 years working hard to shake the old biker gang stereotype of the 60′s and 70′s. Now that we have come close to accomplishing our goal, shows like “Sons of Anarchy” and the upcoming HBO show 1% are here to drag our image back into the gang world. How far will these shows set us back? 20-30 Years? I would ask the producers of these shows, there sponsors, and everyone else out there to please remember that Brotherhood is what the Motorcycle Club world is truly about.
Your Bro, L.J. James AmericanBikerX. com
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Why are there differnt rules for Motorcycle Clubs
Motorcycle Clubs that have lots of Chapters have problems where Government agencies try to say they are Criminal organizations. Now if you are part of something say a Business Association and you need a dentist and you have a dentist as part of your Association most likely you are going to work with him.
Now lets say your part of an Association with 20 chapters and 1 guy from your group deals drugs. Then he meets another guy from a different chapter of your Association who deals drugs too. He then meets another guy from another chapter of your group who deals drugs and then a few more and soon you have 10 guys from 10 different chapters of your group dealing drugs together across the country. Now again this could be any type of group.
Now lets say those ten guys get caught dealing the drugs. When in came time to arrest them would all the Members of the Association all across the Country get arrested ? Let me be very clear here. My question to you is, Is the whole Association guilty of a crime or is it just the ten who who committed the crimes?
Well the answer is a little crazy, If it is a church group well then it is only the ten people dealing the drugs that are Guilty. If it is members of a Police force, The Answer could be no one is Guilty! But now if it is a Motorcycle Club then the answer always seems to be everyone is Guilty!
Why does there seem to be different sets of rules that depend on who you are or who you are Associated with? We all know that in reality only the ten guys who committed the crimes are guilty. Just like any other group in the world a Motorcycle Club can have members who Commit Crimes. Why should there be harsher sets of rules and penalties because the Members of a Club happen to enjoy riding Motorcycles?
I am Your BroLJ James AmericanBikerX.com Listen to LJs Radio Show at BikerLowdown.com
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Mortal Skulls Motorcycle Club Launches Skull Gear Apparel, Inc.
MORTAL SKULLS MOTORCYCLE CLUB LAUNCHES SKULL GEAR APPAREL, Inc.
The Mortal Skulls Motorcycle Club based out of Long Island New York have opened their own Motorcycle Gear and Apparel Business aptly named Skull Gear Apparel, Inc.
Not only will they be selling the Mortal Skulls Motorcycle Club’s line of MC Support Gear, it will also include a full line of Skull Gear Apparel, Inc. Mens and Womens Clothing.
The hot item at this year for Skull Gear Apparel is the Infamous “Back the F#%K Off” sweat shirt that every biker just seems to love to wear when Riding!!!
In the near future they will also be selling Biker Jewelry, Sunglasses, Skull Figurines and much more!
The idea behind Skull Gear Apparel was extremely simple. With there being so many Motorcycle Apparel Businesses being run by those who do not ride, The Members of the Mortal Skulls Motorcycle Club asked “Who knows more about what Bikers want and love, Stuffy Corporate types or Real Bikers?”
Look for Skull Gear Apparel, Inc. at Large Motorcycle events near you this year! Or Online at http://www.MortalSkulls.com and http://www.SkullGearApparel.net for new merchandise and to order on-line!!!
When the Riding Season is Here! You need Skull Gear! Your Bro L.J. James
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