Ever have encounters with Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs?

[Cluricaun]

Have you ever had one? I'm talking about a real MC, not some Wild Hogs Weekend Warrior RUB types, but actual 1%'er type bikers. Hells Angels and Outlaws and Banditios types.

I was raised around them, so I know what my view is but I'm curious what others have encountered or experianced.

[Zuul]

My uncle is with the VNVMC, however I would not want anyone to think his activities reflect on the rest of that particular MC:

Viet Nam Vets / Legacy Vets MC is not a 1% club and we do not claim territory. Geographical distinctions within our Club (AOs) are for organizational purposes. We're not a criminal organization nor do we have any intention of becoming one. We are not concerned with disputes, territorial or otherwise, between other clubs. We owe allegiance to no colors except those of the flag of the United States of America, and those which we proudly wear on our backs. We fought our wars and have no desire other than to RIDE FREE.

Ahem.

My direct experiences were pretty limited. Drugs, guns, fights, rumors of people killed, and charity for children all kind of mingled into a bizarre mish-mash of stories. Having grown up with my uncle involved and hearing more references to the Hells Angels than the LA Angels of Anaheim just sort of turned it into this strange fact of life that I never particularly thought much about. We all knew he was doing illegal things. We just didn't talk about it.

[Revs]

I used to live less than a 5 minute walk from a really crappy dive bar. Due to it's location and general lack of rules I would often frequent this establishment. Eventually our local biker gang, the Avengers started to use it as their clubhouse.

A couple of these guys knew me since I was working at the local liquor store. They controlled the meth ring in town and I'm sure got up to all kinds of no good.

One night I was in there getting loaded with a few friends. The Avengers roll up in force and proceed in their usual loud and rowdy manner. At the time I was wearing a pair of harness boots and a leather biker jacket. I don't ride because I can't afford a bike, but I liked the boots and the jacket was a gift. I start talking to one of them and he asks what kind of bike do I ride. I tell him I don't and he starts to get a little upset with me, accusing me of only dressing that way out of fashion,blah blah blah.

Now I'm faced with an angry drunken biker his methed-out buddies. Luckily my smart-ass skills took over. I told the guy "No no, you got it all wrong. I'm on the installment plan. First I got the boots and jacket, next I'm buying a gas tank and seat, and by the end of the year I should be up to getting some handlebars."
(pause for a very tense 3 count)

He laughs and tells me thats the best answer he's gotten from someone being accused of being a poseur and buys me a beer.

Over the next month or so I get a little friendlier with the guys. We weren't really friends but if I saw them at work or around town we would chat a bit. If we were at the bar we would buy each other beers and shoot pool. Getting respect from the local 1%ers is a good thing in my book.

One night during the summer it's hot. The kind of heat were even at night it's still 90 degrees and humid as hell. So hot in fact, the boys were taking off their colors at the previously mentioned dive bar. I'm in there doing my usual drinking, shit talking and shooting pool. I beat one of them in a game and demand my victory beer. Biker tells me he's tapped out for the evening but will get me next time. As a joke I grab his vest off the back of a chair and put it on claiming that "this will do instead."
(pause for tense 3 count)

He steps up to me and puts a hand on my shoulder and tells me , " I like you, and you look pretty good with those on, but you need to take it off right the fuck now."

I thought I was going to catch a beating for sure. I took the vest off and everything was groovy again. I ended up getting them some 'shrooms later on that night and all transgressions were forgiven.