The Origin and Development of Motorcycles and Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs - Part 1

   

There has been a lot of media attention in Sydney recently devoted to outlaw motorcycle clubs, also referred to as outlaw motorcycle gangs or groups and frequently abbreviated to OMCGs. Commonly described in the media as “bikie gangs”, certain of their number have recently been associated with shootings and bombings in an alleged turf war.  The attention will become greater when the trials begin of those involved in the airport brawl and murder last year.

There is an interesting history to the birth and development of motorcycles and OMCGs.

The following article, in 3 parts, looks at the development of motorcycles and the birth of OMCGs.

Wikipedia contains a convenient definition and summation of OMCGs as follows:

An outlaw motorcycle club (sometimes known as a motorcycle gang) is a type of motorcycle club that is part of a subculture with roots in the post-WW11 USA, centered on cruiser motorcycles, particularly Harley-Davidson and choppers, and a set of ideals celebrating freedom, nonconformity to mainstream culture, and loyalty to the biker group. In the United States, "outlaw" clubs are not sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and do not adhere to the AMA's rules, but instead, generally, the club enforces a set of bylaws on its members that derive from the values of the outlaw biker culture.

Some motorcycle gangs engage in criminal activity. Besides their connection with motorcycles and the one percenter subculture, criminal motorcycle gangs are "unique among crime groups in that they maintain websites; identify themselves through patches and tattoos; have written constitutions and bylaws; trademark their club names and logos; and have publicity campaigns aimed at cleaning up their public image."  ATF agent William Queen, who infiltrated the  Mongols, wrote that what makes a gang like them different from the Mafia is that crime and violence are not used as expedients in pursuit of profit, but that the priorities are reversed. Mayhem and lawlessness are inherent in living "The Life," and the money they obtain by illegal means is only wanted as a way to perpetuate that lifestyle.

There are non-outlaw groups, like the Harley Owners Group, that adopt similar insignia, colours, organisational structure, and trappings like beards and leather outfits which are typical of outlaw gangs, making it difficult for outsiders to tell the difference. It has been said that these groups are attracted by the mystique of the outlaw image despite objecting to the suggestion that they are outlaws.

Bicycles:

Bicycling blossomed in the 1800’s and early 1900’s, both for work purposes and for leisure. Especially from the 1880’s with the introduction of equal sized front and rear wheels (known as safety bicycles, unlike the previous style of penny farthing, known as boneshakers), bicycles were an inexpensive and convenient means of mass transportation and a way of getting around the traffic congestion of the city streets.

Bicycling was also the favourite sport of America and Europe.  In the US until well into the 1920’s, bicycle races were so popular that they drew more spectators than any other sport, including baseball.  The first world champion bicycle races were held in Europe in 1893 and racing was also carried out indoor in velodromes.  The first Tour de France was held in 1893.

Worcester St John’s Cycling club in 1900.

Tour de France 1903

Motorised Bicycles:

In the late 1890’s, various persons experimented with the addition of an internal combustion engine to thye bicycle, both for racing and for general use..  In the context of racing, such motorised bicycles were used as pacers for the bicycles behind, acting as a windbreaker and allowing drafting, the taking advantage of the small vacuum created behind the pace vehicle.

The early motorised bicycles (photo below) were tandem cycles, the front rider steering the cycle and the rear rider adjusting the carburettor to regulate petrol flow as a means of controlling the speed.

In 1901, Hendee and Hedstrom, former cycle racers, formed the Hendee manufacturing Company and began selling more advanced motorised bicycles, termed motocycles, to the public.  The machines carried the name Indian and they were an instant public success.

Carl Hedström with the first prototype of Indian

In 1923 the company changed its name to the Indian Motocycle Company and it continued manufacture to 1953.  Anthony Hopkins portrayal of New Zealander Burt Munro, holder of various land speed records, in The World’s Fastest Indian, features a modified Indian Scout Motorcyle.