| When it comes to motorcycles and | | | | separate themselves from the mainstream |
| motorcyclists, patches and emblems are | | | | motorcyclists and their club patches are |
| one way to both set yourself apart and | | | | cut into three pieces. The top piece |
| define yourself as part of a group. | | | | features the name of the club, the |
| Many motorcycle clubs, both formal and | | | | middle section features the club's |
| informal, use patches and emblems to | | | | emblem and the lower piece designates |
| identify themselves. You can use these | | | | the chapter that the member hails from. |
| patches to locate other chapters of your | | | | As time has gone on, the distinction of |
| motorcycle club, express your interests | | | | a one, two or three piece motorcycle |
| and proclaim your allegiances and | | | | patch emblem has come to signify certain |
| lifestyle decisions. Motorcycle patches | | | | things. A single, whole patch states |
| are most popularly placed on jackets and | | | | that the wearer is in a law abiding |
| they are great way to locate other | | | | motorcycle group, while a three piece |
| people who are "in the know." | | | | patch indicates active service in Outlaw |
| Many motorcycle clubs have unique | | | | Motorcycle club. On the other hand, a |
| patches and emblems that are used | | | | two piece patch can indicate that the |
| exclusively by their members. These | | | | motorcycle club one belongs to is being |
| patches are often custom-made and | | | | considered for acceptance into the |
| commissioned from embroidery shops. | | | | Outlaw Motorcycle Club. |
| Then they are distributed among the | | | | A complete discussion of motorcycle |
| members. Some clubs use ceremony or | | | | patches might prove to be impossible; |
| hazing techniques while other clubs are | | | | every year, the club change, the emblems |
| a great deal more casual. While some | | | | change and the meanings are in a |
| clubs have uniforms, for other clubs, | | | | constant state of flux. No matter what |
| the motorcycle patches are the only way | | | | a person is wearing, remember that |
| to denote membership. | | | | making assumptions regarding their |
| It is difficult to discuss the use of | | | | status in a motorcycle club or their |
| motorcycle patches without discussing | | | | participation is not only unrealistic, |
| the "one percenters." After a rash of | | | | it can also be considered rude. |
| unfriendly and unflattering media | | | | Whether you are designing a motorcycle |
| regarding the motorcycling lifestyle was | | | | patch or you have recently become a full |
| produce, the American Motorcycle | | | | fledged member of one, it is important |
| Association declared that 99 percent of | | | | to take a look around and see what |
| all motorcyclists were law abiding | | | | motorcycle patches mean to your club. |
| citizens; only 1 percent participated in | | | | Find out the local language is in terms |
| any sort of criminal or antisocial | | | | of motorcycle patches and make sure you |
| activity. Individuals and groups began | | | | are fluent! |
| to adopt the moniker "One percenters" to | | | | |