Outlaws MC (est. 1935)
74 years of biking and brotherhood

1935

The McCook Outlaws Motorcycle Club was established out of Matilda`s Bar on old Route 66 in McCook, Illinois, just outside Chicago.

1946

Although the Club stayed together, their activities had been limited during World War II. In May of 1946 the first major post-war motorcycle event was held at Soldier Field, in Chicago.

1950

With new members coming from all over the Chicago area, the Club was growing in size from its early beginnings of 1935. Moving out of McCook and re-establishing itself in Chicago, the club decided to change its name. The “McCook Outlaws” became The “Chicago Outlaws”. The club logo also underwent a change; a small skull replaced the winged motorcycle and old English style letters. The design was embroidered on black shirts and hand painted on leather jackets.

1954

A set of Crossed Pistons were added to the small skull. This time the design was embroidered on a black western style shirts with white piping.

1959

The Skull and Crossed Pistons were redesigned, making them much larger with more detail.

1960

The A.M.A. American Motorcycle Association, that supervises all official races in the USA, banned the word Outlaws from all race clothing. Club members who raced adapted and wore an “OMC” on their outfits till 1963.

1963

The Outlaws became the first true 1%er Club east of the Mississippi.

1964

On the 4th of July, the “Gipsy Outlaws” from Milwaukee became the second chapter to join the club. Through they had had no former contacts with the Milwaukee Club, the “Gypsy Outlaws” from Louisville followed, joining in August at the Springfield Motor races. The “Outlaw Nation” was formed, with Chicago as the Mother Chapter.

1965

On the 1st of January, 1965, the A.O.A. (American Outlaws Association) was born. The back patch of the club, the skull and crossed pistons, was named “Charlie”.

The A.M.A. logo              The Outlaws answer

1967

In July, 1967, the “Outlaws” National President and a few more members went down from Chicago, and sanctioned the first chapter in Florida.

1969

“God forgives, Outlaws don't“ became the club's motto.

1977

The first chapter outside the USA was formed in Canada. The “Satan's Choice” became “Outlaws”.

1984

For the first time a member not belonging to the Mother chapter became “National President”.

1989

The abbreviation “MC” was added to the back patch.

1993

France became the first European chapter.

1994

Formerly independent, the “Australian Outlaws” joined the AOA. The “MC 44” from France became a chapter. The bottom rocker on their back patch read “Europe”.

1995

The Chicago chapter has grown and it's split into three groups: the Mother Chapter (Southside), Westside and Northside. Norway becomes the second European chapter.

1999

The Belgian “Outlaws MC”, already existing independently for 25 years, became a member of the A.O.A.

2000

14 chapters of the English and welsh “Outlaws MC“, until then an independent MC, joined the A.O.A. Later that year, Norway is added again as the first Scandinavian chapter.

2001

With new chapters in Ireland and Jersey, a country off the English coast, the club began to expand. In Germany the “Ghost Riders MC” joined the AOA. The first Asian chapter was established in Thailand and Sweden became the second Scandinavian chapter.

2002

Germany started the first official Support MC of the AOA Nation. The new “Black Pistons MC” soon appeared in other countries: the USA, Canada, Great Britain, Poland and Norway for starters. The AOA expanded again, this time with new chapters In Italy and Poland.

2003

The “Outlaws MC” had grown to hold a presence is in 19 states of the USA. The French “MC Drome” came over join the AOA.

2004

At the end of 2004, the A.O.A. started its first prospective chapter in Russia.

2005

Biking & Brotherhood since 1935.

The Outlaws MC World celebrated its 70th Anniversary as a Motorcycle Club and the 40th Anniversary as the A.O.A. In June Charlie landed in Russia, as the chapter received full membership Status.

2006

The end of 2006 marked the A.O.A. starting its first chapter in Japan.

2007

Asia grew again, with the first prospective chapter in Philippines starting in March.

2008

Europe added its first chapter in Spain.

2009

 The AOA starts its first  Prospective Chapters in Serbia and Austria

The Outlaws exist today as one of the largest Motorcycle Clubs worldwide.

by Vulture 1%er

If you read the papers or listen to the news, the media and law enforcement agents have redefined the term "1%er".

As we all know the term was first used in the 60’s to describe some of the people that attended the motorcycle events back then. The AMA (American Motorcycle Association) stated that 99% of the people at their events were god fearing and family oriented. The other 1%er were hard riding, hard partying, non mainstream type people. Thus the term 1%er was born. Some of the early bikers embraced the term and decided to call themselves 1%ers.

It did not mean that they were law breakers or low life individuals. They were simply men that rode their motorcycles seven days a week in all kinds of weather, liked to drink and raise a little hell. Sometime during the 80’s law enforcement changed the meaning of the 1%er to what they wanted it to represent. It didn’t matter that their meaning was incorrect, they just spoon fed it to the general public and the courts as they had so many other things.

The Outlaws Motorcycle Club is rich in history and tradition. One of those traditions is the wearing of a 1%er patch on our vests and referring to ourselves as a 1%er club. The 1%er definition as we see it is one that explains our commitment to Biking and Brotherhood. We ride our motorcycles every day rain or shine. We ride thousands of miles each year with our Brothers to attend parties, social events, funerals and just plain spending time together. We work, have families and do all the things that our neighbors do. In addition to that we belong to a Brotherhood that we are able to combine with our day to day lives.

To say that 1%er’s are criminals or people of a lesser moral code than the rest of society is a tainted opinion. The Outlaws Motorcycle Club is not a criminal organization. It is a motorcycle club. We have learned from the mistakes in our past and have worked quite hard to make our club a leader in the efforts of many clubs and bikers to insure that the 1%er lifestyle will continue to grow and stay a part of tradition for the coming generations of those bikers that have the same commitment to Biking and Brotherhood that the past and present 1%er’s have left to them.

We may not live by the rules of society, but we do live by it’s laws.