Colors (motorcycling)#Meaning

Colors identify the rank of members within clubs from new members, to "prospects" to full members known as "patch-holders", and usually consist of a top and bottom circumferential badge called a rocker, due to the curved shape,{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Im_NaFoAGZ4C&pg=PA15 |title=Bikers |publisher=Xlibris |first=Dave |last=Ebert |page=15 |date=2010 |isbn=978-1-4535-0536-6}} with the {{visible anchor|top rocker}} stating the club name, the {{visible anchor|bottom rocker}} stating the location or territory, and a central logo of the club's insignia, with a fourth, smaller badge carrying the initials "MC" standing for "motorcycle club". Female clubs spell out “motorcycle club” on their vests.

The badges are used to create a social bond and boundaries and, generally, belong to the clubs involved rather than the individual wearing them. Although some clubs perform community or charitable service, individuals wearing colors may be refused service at related businesses and bars,{{cite thesis |url=https://diginole.lib.fsu.edu/islandora/object/fsu%3A168807 |title=Over the Edge and into the Abyss: The Communication of Organizational Identity in an Outlaw Motorcycle Club |publisher=Florida State University |first=William Lee |last=Dulaney |date=2006 |type=PhD}} and some biker bars have a "no colors" policy to reduce conflict. Claiming STATE territory by wearing a bottom STATE rocker can lead to violent conflict with a rival club, such as in the 2015 Waco shootout, which was partially caused by a club wearing a "Texas" bottom rocker.{{cite news |url=http://www.wfaa.com/story/news/crime/2015/05/18/bulletin-tensions-bandidos-cossacks-rival-biker-gangs-texas/27531291/ |title=Bulletin warned of potential 'war' between rival biker gangs |newspaper=WFAA |location=Dallas |last=Eiserer |first=Tanya |date=18 May 2015 |accessdate=18 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119131225/http://www.wfaa.com/story/news/crime/2015/05/18/bulletin-tensions-bandidos-cossacks-rival-biker-gangs-texas/27531291/ |archive-date=19 January 2016 |url-status=dead }}

Many motorcyclists wearing colors are from "family oriented" motorcycling clubs chartered by the American Motorcyclist Association and wear one-piece patches to differentiate themselves from the three piece patches of 1% & outlaw bikers. These generally do not state a territorial location and can be any format other than a three piece patch. Coed clubs also break up the M and C to denote a difference. Cubes also denote a traditional MC. The motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson notably adopted the style in its branding and community-building effort, the Harley Owners Group.

One of the most commonly displayed patches on motorcycle club colors is the patch of the letters "M C" which typically accompany the club name. There are several variations on this format with different letters that designate a specific type of club or group.{{Cite web |title=GANG ENFORCEMENTS GANG OPS TERMS |url=https://www.gangenforcement.com/uploads/2/9/4/1/29411337/gang_enforcements_gang_ops_omg_terms_and_acronyms_download.pdf |access-date=2024-04-04}}

• M.F. = Motorcycle Family {{Cite web |date=2012-10-21 |title=Gangland Season 6 DVD Set - History Store |url=http://shop.history.com/detail.php?p=271017&v=history_show_gangland&ecid=TV1-AET-2104236&pa=TV1-AET-2104236 |access-date=2024-04-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021034734/http://shop.history.com/detail.php?p=271017&v=history_show_gangland&ecid=TV1-AET-2104236&pa=TV1-AET-2104236 |archive-date=2012-10-21 }}
• M.M. = Motorcycle Ministry {{Cite web |title=Clarity About Patches {{!}} HonorBound MM National |url=https://hbmm-national.org/clarity-about-patches/ |access-date=2024-04-04 |language=en}}
• R.C. = Riding Club {{Cite web |title=RC vs MC – Leather & Lace MC |url=https://leatherandlacemc.com/rc-vs-mc/ |access-date=2024-04-04 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=MC / RC Differences |url=http://rcvsmc.net/id3.html#:~:text=RCs%20do%20not%20have%20colors,others%20with%20a%20similar%20interest |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=rcvsmc.net}}{{Cite web |last=Kass |first=Andrew |date=2021-10-13 |title=Motorcycle Clubs vs. Riding Clubs |url=https://kassandmoses.com/blog/motorcycle-clubs-vs-riding-clubs/ |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=Kass & Moses |language=en}}
• W.M.C. = Women's Motorcycle Club{{Cite web |title=15 Women's Motorcycle Clubs You Need to Know |date=2 May 2022 |url=https://www.cycletrader.com/blog/2022/05/02/15-womens-motorcycle-clubs-you-need-to-know/ |access-date=2024-04-04}}{{Cite web |title=10 Most Badass Women's Motorcycle Clubs |url=https://www.vikingbags.com/blogs/news/10-most-badass-womens-motorcycle-clubs |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=Viking Bags |language=en}}

==Law and order colors and/or insignia==

{{multiple image |direction=horizontal |align=right |total_width=400

|image1=Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club.JPG |caption1=Buffalo Soldiers MC colors. The Buffalo Soldiers are named after the famed 10th Cavalry regiment of the United States Army, formed on 21 September 1866.

|image2=Christian Motorcyclists Association.jpg |caption2=Member of the Christian Motorcyclists Association at the dedication of a World War II memorial on Interstate 17 north of Phoenix, Arizona

}}

In the case of outlaw motorcycle clubs, visual identification of a member is indicated by a specific large club patch or set of patches, usually located in the middle of the back of a vest or jacket. The patches may contain a club logo, the name of the club and other chapter identification.

In most motorcycle clubs, the patch representing membership in the organization is often referred to as "the club colors" or simply "the colors".{{cite book |title=From Boneshakers to Choppers: The Rip-Roaring History of Motorcycles |publisher=Annick Press |last=Smedman |first=Lisa |pages=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781554510153/page/57 57–60] |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-55451-016-0 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781554510153/page/57 }} Each club has rules on how the colors are treated and when it is proper to wear them. Well structured clubs have bylaws dictating the behavior of its members and thus the proper use of their colors.{{cite web |url=http://www.amicitia.co.za/MotorcycleClubs.asp |title=Amicitia Ad Vitum Motorcycle Club |website=Amicitia.co.za |accessdate=16 August 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809103927/http://www.amicitia.co.za/MotorcycleClubs.asp |archivedate=9 August 2013 |url-status=dead}}

Tattoos may also come under the category of club colors.{{cite web |url=http://www.willcountysao.com/prevention-gang_prevention.htm |title=Gang Prevention |publisher=Will County State's Attorney |accessdate=4 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614195345/http://www.willcountysao.com/prevention-gang_prevention.htm |archive-date=14 June 2018 |url-status=dead }}

• Gang colors
• School colors
• Sports uniform

{{Reflist}}

• {{commons category-inline|Motorcycle club colors}}

{{Biker culture}}

{{OutlawMotorcycleGroups}}

Category:Motorcycling subculture