To MC or not to MC? Three Piece Rocker Head Facts
Organized motorcycle clubs are recognized by their “colors” (custom biker patches worn on their vests), in some areas also called “cuts”. While there are many varieties of motorcycle patches, they can be classified into three basic groups.
The one-piece patch, a single custom patch made up of an emblem, traditionally worn on the back of a vest, usually designates the member of a family club or riding club, not a traditional “MC”.
A two-piece patch that generally represents a club in some kind of transition. It may mean that members are waiting for approval from the area’s dominant club to become a sanctioned “MC” and gain the right to wear a three-piece patch.
A three piece rocker style head is worn to signify a true “MC”. Traditionally, members get this patch in three parts. While practices vary from club to club, the most common practice is for a “prospect”, who has been sponsored by an existing member, to first wear the bottom rocker indicating where the club is from. Next, the prospect will earn the top rocker with the club name and finally the full emblem on the center back of the jacket. A three-piece patch is a public sign of commitment to the protocols and lifestyle of a particular MC and is therefore taken very seriously by MCs!
If casual bikers are planning to start a motorcycle club, here are some important considerations to keep in mind. Riders thinking of starting a new club should check with their local area to see if an existing club is right for them before starting another club. There are now hundreds of clubs across the country dedicated to military veterans, firefighters, police officers, members of the American Legion, and many more. Most casual riding groups refer to themselves as riding clubs, or “RCs”, to avoid being mistakenly recognized as an outlaw club. A one-piece custom back patch can be fun to design and shouldn’t draw negative attention from law enforcement or outlaw clubs in the area, as long as the design and colors aren’t ripping off a club. existing. However, if members of a new club have committed to a certain lifestyle known as “1%-ers” and are determined to wear a three-piece patch, they should ask around in their local area (motorcycle shops, motorcyclists, etc.) or attend a meeting of the Motorcycle Rights Association to determine how to obtain permission to become a sanctioned club of the local dominant club. The local dominant club will, in most places, be a “1%” club, meaning it is an “outlaw” club not authorized by the American Motorcycle Association. Dominant MCs have learned that bad publicity from one club can have negative effects on all clubs in an area, so they take it upon themselves to sanction the formation of new MCs with three-piece patches.
Even after getting permission from the local mainstream club, new MCs should be aware that wearing a three-piece patch with the “MC” insignia can attract unwanted attention from law enforcement who treat many MCs like gangs. .
Once the members of the new club have designed and voted on the one or three piece custom patch. The club should contract with an experienced custom patch provider, such as Stadri Emblems, to digitize and make the custom club patches. Using a reputable company ensures that the new club patch does not fall into the wrong hands and that the club design will never be sold to non-members or used without a member’s permission. A club’s custom patches say a lot more about them than their name and where they’re from. A new club needs to be informed and choose the style of patch that is right for them.