Landing a spot as one of the Big Four, a list conducted by the FBI that targeted four of America's most notorious motorcycle clubs, the Outlaws MC have certainly made a name for themselves both in the biker community, and the criminal world. The Outlaws, also known as a one-percenter motorcycle club, consist of over 1,000 members, making them one of the biggest as far as member count.
Despite being a club that was formed 85 years ago, the MC has proved to be resilient as they remain one of the top clubs standing to this day. With that being said, here are 15 rare photos of the Outlaws MC that we managed to dig up.
15 Friendships With Other Outlaw Clubs
In the world of outlaw MCs, where different clubs compete for control and dominance over turfs and areas, it's rare to find clubs that get along. On the few occasions they do, it's usually to benefit the greater good of the club.
In the Outlaws and Mongols case, their long-lasting alliance and friendship have gone beyond personal benefits as members developed mutual respect and camaraderie towards each other. Additionally, the Outlaws have a support club called the Black Pistons Motorcycle Club.
14 A Ride Across Ohio River
With chapters both nationally and internationally, the Outlaws have managed to leave their mark across the biker community. Becoming one of the biggest MCs in the US, the Outlaws were always eager to flaunt their bikes through rides across the country, including instances like the one captured above where an Outlaws member looks back at other club members as they cross the Ohio River.
What makes this ride special though is that club members were accompanied by photojournalist Danny Lyon, author of Bikeriders, a book about the Outlaws.
13 Outlaws MC Races
Despite being known as a motorcycle club associated with violence and illegal activities, the Outlaws did more than just unlawful actions. They enjoyed the simpler things in life and knew how to have fun, and that certainly was no different when it came to getting their bikes dirty on the track as they enjoyed more than just long cruises.
12 A Gathering Under A Friend's Room
Outlaws members were known for their camaraderie and brotherhood that went beyond club walls. They would often gather around at other members' houses or neighborhoods for hours such as shown in the image as club members gather under a friend's bedroom. The bond shared between members is what brought the club's fearsome reputation.
11 Memorial Day Rides
Being known as an outlaw motorcycle club often gives people the wrong idea about the MC as a club that has zero tolerance for the law. This is why would it come off as surprising to some if not a lot that the majority of club members actually hold patriotic values. The club, seeing as how many of their members were war veterans, would often conduct rides on Memorial Day to honor those who have served their country.
10 Rival Clubs
Just like they have allies, the Outlaws are no short of enemies with their biggest one being the infamous Hells Angels MC. Alongside other clubs such as the Pagans and the Bandidos, the Outlaws have had a long-standing rivalry with the Hells angels, often getting into street wars with the club.
9 Sacred Bikes
While it is true that the most sacred thing to a club member is their bike, thousands of members from different clubs including the outlaws have taken the term sacred to another level.
What is considered to be one of the biggest and most significant events in the world of outlaw MCs, annual motorcycle blessings have been a yearly hotspot for bikers from all over the place. And the Outlaws made sure they didn't miss out on such events as they attended the ٍSeventeenth Annual World's Largest Motorcycle Blessing.
8 Outlaws Charlotte Massacre
As an MC known for being heavily related to drug deals, assault, and almost anything that you wouldn't use as a conversation opener tends to attract trouble. And that's exactly what happened back in 1979 when 4 members of the Outlaws and a bike enthusiast were killed in the club's main chapter in Charlotte.
The murder was revealed to have been carried out by two people as a result of a personal grudge between one of the murderers and one of the club members. Additionally, the other 4 were killed for nothing other than being at the headquarters during the shooting and had no prior altercations with the killers.
7 Charity Events
While they are viewed as trouble makers by most of the community, some have decided to keep an open heart and reach out to the Outlaws MC. Pastor Robert Parsons extended an invitation to Outlaws MC members to join a charity event organized by the church. Parsons tells Cbc that everything went by smoothly, and that "[They] had no negative feedback at all, it was a great ride." Additionally, it was reported that they kept other riders safe as well as make a "great donation to the event".
6 The First One-Percenter Club
While the term one-percenter was originally used to describe outlaw motorcycle clubs who did not adhere to the rules of the American Motorcyclist Association or were sanctioned by it, it quickly became one to describe clubs who did not follow the law or care for it. And the Outlaws were the first to proudly wear the title as they are the oldest 1 percenter MC.
5 House Tour
When it comes to personal matters, club members are known for being reluctant or complete abstinence from sharing sensitive information related to them. That's why it's kind of shocking when members open up to outsiders, let alone open up their houses to them or the world, which is what Outlaws members "Corky" did as seen in this image of him in his house.
4 Outlaws International Chapters
As far as the Outlaws, their international chapters are just as fearsome as their national ones. With around 80 chapters scattered across the world, the Outlaw's reach is paralleled by very few.
Some of their most notable international chapters are located within Germany and Belgium, where members have developed an unfavorable reputation of mischief and crime in recent years.
3 Cross Bayou Chapter President Murder
What started out as a fight between two members of the 69ERs and several from the Outlaws at a restaurant, ended up taking a very dark turn.
Having two of their members' vests stolen infuriated 69ERs and retaliation followed a few months later when a failed attempt at one of the Outlaw's members took place. Another attempt, this time successful, followed not long after when Cross Bayou Chapter President Paul Anderson was fatally shot 5 times at a traffic light.
2 FBI's Ten Most Wanted
Despite being involved in illegal activity, it's rare for members to end up with serious convictions, let alone end up on the FBI's ten most wanted. International president Harry Joseph "Taco" Bowman(right), landed a spot as one of America's top fugitives. Bowman was charged with 3 accounts of murder and accused of ordering bombings of rival clubs. Bowman passed away last year from cancer behind bars at the Federal Medical Center Butner.
1 They've Had Government Employees As Club Members
What is considered to be a first in outlaw motorcycle club history as far as we know of, a government employee was part of the Outlaws MC. Firefighter Clint Walker went under a series of investigations and was eventually fired after James Costa, president of an Outlaws chapter and former Fire Captain was shot.
Walker was accused of interference with evidence gathering after he had visited Costa in the hospital and taken the latter's vest to hide in his car. According to Walker, it was an act of respect towards a fellow firefighter rather than a fellow club member. Walker reportedly ended up leaving the Outlaws MC.