Yo! How youse doin’? Not for nuthin, but people have been asking me all week to do an article on Biker Basics. A sort of “MC 101”, if you know what I mean. So I got to thinking. I know … a dangerous path to go down … yet here we are. What if you weren’t born into this lifestyle or you didn’t grow up around it? What if you didn’t have the information imprinted in your DNA? Or what if you had and just wanted it explained? Then one day, when you had been riding for 15 minutes, or 15 years, you couldn’t help but notice those tough looking guys, wearing their cool leather vests, with all those neat colored patches on the back, riding their loud motorcycles, and you needed to know. So you jumped on your sled and followed those guys to the local bike night, pub or nearest Confederation meeting and saw the fun that they were having and you wanted to know how to fit in or how to join one of those clubs. I’m just sayin’. Well, this is gonna take a while, so it’s gonna be a multi-part series. And don’t think they’ll be in any sort of order, or even all in a row, because except for my OCD, my mind has no sort of order. Let’s start with the lingo. Every cool sub-culture has its own language and bikers are no exception. This is by no means going to be an all inclusive, end-all, list of all lists. This is just what I happen to remember from people asking me, “Yo, what does that mean?” It’ll be enough to help you understand what’s going on; or get you into trouble. Also, that it’s the way that I understand it. Someone else might use these words differently. Remember, too, that I speak Brooklynese, so if someone gives you a dirty look after using one of these words or expressions, just say, “...you guys” afterwards and hope you can pull it off. But don’t go thinking that I’m gonna teach you the Patchholders-only, super-duper, highly classified, secret cabal, decoder spy ring handshake, though, ‘cause some things are still sacred. Aftermarket – Parts and accessories other than OEM - See “OEM” AMA – The American Motorcycle Association Apes - Handlebars that are very high Ape hangers – See “Apes” - Handlebars that are very high Back warmer - A girl on the back of your motorcycle Born Again Biker - Someone who has recently returned to riding after a period of absence Bark-o-lounger - Honda Gold Wing Bar hopper bike - The spit shined and polished bikes that only come out for show-off purposes (Shows, Bike nights, etc…)

Basket case - A bike whose pieces are all in a basket or could fit in one Beemer - BMW motorcycle Bible - Repair manual Big Twin - Any Harley bigger than a Sportster Biker – A person with a passion for Harleys; who owns a bike, not just a t-shirt; and needs no “excuse” to ride. People who have been doing it since before the Yuppie incursion Biker friendly - A business that likes serving bikers and has no problem with colors and leathers Biker bitch – A female who has always had a high interest in motorcycles Bitch pegs – The high passenger foot pegs Bobber – Old school name for a bike that was stripped and “bobbed”. Originally so named for the “bobbing” (cutting down in size) of the fenders. Bottom rocker - The bottom-most patch on a set of colors. It is usually the neighborhood that a club, or a chapter of a club, is claiming to ride in. See “Colors” Brain bucket - A helmet Bro – Short for brother. Used by one club member to or about another club member. Used to describe the kind of relationship club members have with one another; like family; brothers. It is not a good idea to call someone “bro” unless you are a part of their circle of clubs or club members. Cage – A car, truck or other 4-wheeled vehicle Cager – A person who only rides in a cage Center patch - The insignia of the club. The middle patch between the top and bottom rocker, centered on the rider's back. Sometimes given a name and sometimes called the “center pie” Center pie – See “Center patch” - The middle patch between the top and bottom rocker, centered on the rider's back Chase vehicle – The vehicle, usually a van or truck, which follows a pack of riders to assist in case of bike trouble Chopper - A motorcycle that has a greater angle on the front forks than is usually seen. So named because, originally, the front end was “chopped” (cut) off and welded back on at a wider angle Church – The weekly (or monthly) mandatory club meeting

Chromosexual – The motorcycle rider who keeps adding more and more chrome to his bike, indifferent or regardless of its performance Civilian – The non-riding general public Coupon - Traffic ticket Colors – A distinguishable set of patches and emblems worn on the back of vests by members of a motorcycle club. The emblems may also be called “patches”, “rags” or “cuts”. Club Colors are differentiated from organizational patches by the “MC” or “M” and “C” cubes next to the center pie. Crash bars - Engine guards Crotch rocket - Slang term for a sport-type motorcycle. Originally, so named, because it seemed that in order to ride it, you had to bend over so far that the engine and tank section were up your crotch DILLIGAF – An acronym for “Do I Look Like I Give A F*@k” Do-rag - Cloth covering used over hair to prevent excess dirt or wind damage Dresser - A large motorcycle designed for long-distance riding. It is “dressed up” with hard saddle bags and a windshield Eight hundred pound vibrator – A term for Harley-Davidsons given to them by female passengers Easy Rider rifle rack – A set of aftermarket, forward foot pegs extended way out in the front of the motorcycle down tubes. Featherwood – A female who is incarcerated Flathead – Harley engine manufactured from 1930-1948 Flying Colors - Wearing the club's patches Full dresser – See “Dresser” - A large motorcycle designed for long-distance riding. Hardbody – Typically used to describe a good looking young lady Hardtail - A rigid motorcycle frame with no shock absorbers H.O.G. - Harley Owners Group – copyrighted trademark of the organization that sends the official Harley Davidson magazine to members who pay yearly dues Hog - See “Big Twins” - Any Harley bigger than a Sportster House mouse – A female who tends to drift from person to person within a club; a female who is responsible for taking care of the club or clubhouse, cleaning up after parties and tending to any needs of the Patchholders; or both

Ink – A tattoo (or multiple tattoos) Ink slinger – A tattoo artist Japanese racing boots – Flip flops (bath slippers often worn by riders of Japanese sport bikes, usually with short pants and full face helmets) Kickstand – When used as a Road name, it’s the guy you don’t want to park your motorcycle next to. He got this name because on more than one occasion he forgot to put the kickstand down before walking away from his bike. Everywhere you go someone will know someone called, “Kickstand”. Lane splitting - When a motorcycle rides the dotted or broken line between cars going in the same direction Lid - A helmet MC – (Or M/C) - Motorcycle Club (not “gang”. It is not, “MG”) MC cube(s) – The single “MC” patch or the two “M” and “C” patches located somewhere on a set of Colors Milwaukee vibrator - A Harley-Davidson OEM - Original Equipment Manufacturer Old lady – Or “Ol’ lady” - Wife or steady girlfriend. Has nothing to do with her age Old School Biker –See “Traditional Biker” - A biker who lives by the protocols and traditions as set down by the returning GIs after WWII as it relates to behavior and respect. One percenter (1%er) – A member of a motorcycle club, or the club itself, that does not necessarily conform to the general public’s perception of what is acceptable behavior. The term was made famous after the AMA expressed that 99% of motorcycle riders are upstanding citizens and only 1% acted outside commonly accepted practices P-pad – A smaller seat for a passenger located behind a bigger operator’s seat Pack – The group of motorcycles riding together as a unit Parsley – Doesn’t have anything to do with biking. I just wanted to see if youse were paying attention. Patch holder – A full member of a motorcycle club Patch over - When one or more members of a motorcycle club are incorporated into another club. The member(s) take the new colors and “patch over" their old ones Patches – See “Colors” - A distinguishable set of patches and emblems worn on the back of vests by members of a motorcycle club. Could also be called “colors”, “rags” or “cuts”

Peckerwood – A term of endearment used by incarcerated females for an incarcerated male Pillion pad – See “P-pad” - A smaller seat for a passenger located behind a bigger operator’s seat PMS - An acronym for Parked Motorcycle Syndrome. A condition suffered when a biker has not been able to ride for an extended period of time Probate - Club membership hopeful Property patch – Worn to signify that the wearer is the Ol’ Lady of a club member. Although some people feel that this is degrading to women, some property patch wearers feel that this is a security blanket; as long as they have a Patchholder’s name on their back no one will bother them, where ever they may be. Prospect - A prospective member of a motorcycle club Rat bike - A motorcycle that's been kept running, or together, by any means possible, usually with mismatched parts or parts that are not usually found on a motorcycle Rice burner – Term used for Japanese motorcycles, implying that they run on rice instead of gasoline Righteous name - See “Road name” - A name given to you by your brothers or club. A nickname Road captain – Usually a well respected veteran biker who rides in the back of the pack and maintains the safety and unity of the group Road name – A name given to you by your brothers or club or because of something you’ve done that makes you stand out. A nickname. (See “kickstand” for a better explanation) RUB - An acronym for Rich Urban Biker. A term used to describe the people who buy Harleys to look cool and who have more money than the passion a biker has for riding Run – An organized ride Scoot(er) - Term for a Harley Sissy bar – The bar that comes up off the fender behind the passenger seat Shovelhead - A type of Harley engine produced from 1966 to 1984 Sled - Term for a Harley Snitch - Someone who tells private or inside information about club member(s) to a law enforcement agency or other outside organization, which will use that information against the other club member(s). SQUID – Slang for squirrelly kid – A motorcycle rider with little respect for speed limits, traffic laws or safety

Three piece patch - See “Colors” - A distinguishable set of patches and emblems worn on the back of the vests by members of a motorcycle club. Sometimes, in reality, there are three, four or five patches on the back of the vest, but the term refers to, specifically, the top & bottom rockers and the center logo Top hat – The hard luggage bag found above the back fender on a “Dresser” Top rocker - The emblem located at the top of the back of the vest, which is usually the name of the club and is usually crescent shaped. Traditional Biker – See “Old School Biker” - A biker who lives by the protocols and traditions as set down by the returning GIs after WWII as it relates to behavior and respect. Tramp stamp – The term for the tattoo on a girl’s lower back, above her butt crack Wolf ticket – A threat made by someone with little or no power or authority about what he or someone else might do in response to a behavior he perceives as disrespectful to his imagined authority. (i.e. “Bill was handing out wolf tickets when he heard the rest of us calling his new motorcycle a rat bike”. Not to be confused with a real threat made by someone with power in response to a truly disrespectful act. i.e. “Bill just called Flaco’s old lady a whore and said her tramp stamp made her look like a true tramp” – In this case, Flaco would not be handing out wolf tickets).

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