The Hell’s Angels are the biggest outlaw motorcycle gang in the world, with chapters throughout the United States, Canada, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Liechenstein, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Brazil. Because of the wide range that the Hell’s Angels cover, once a prospect is allowed into the club, he must follow a certain regimental rules of code that every country follows. Members give an oath to obey their creed and code of conduct. The symbols are red and white colors, which stand for power and purity. Their dress code is a distinct one and is known world wide as belonging to the Hell’s Angels motorcycle gang. The jackets are worn for physical protection from the weather but they are also a symbol of communication. The jackets are usually covered with patches, drawings, and their national symbol, which describes the status of the members. Some members even show bodily adornment in the form of tattoos and piercing. Members show their pride by getting tattoos that stand for something that they will remember or what other members will remember them by (valley.nodak.edu). The rules of the association are presented with the notion that there are no rules or laws in Hell’s Angels apart from the admission criteria, which includes being a male person and 21 years old. The other principles and norms emphasize the loyalty and comradeship between the members: the club had no superior direction, no member are more than others, a member has to keep good company with the others; no stealing or lying to each other, no making moves on each other’s girlfriends, no heroin use. The club doesn’t interfere with the member’s private life unless it influences on the club policy (media.urova.fi).
When it comes to choosing a motorcycle for this particular gang, it is just assumed you will be purchasing a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Why is it that only the Harley-Davidson is used? That is simply answered by the fact that it’s an American made motorcycle and it produces a heart –stopping sound when the engine is revved. The motorcycle gangs first appeared about the time WW II was ending. The national pride was running high and Harley-Davidson motorcycles were American made, inexpensive vehicles that were readily available. This is the only motorcycle the Hell’s Angels use, it’s not a written law, but an understood one.
What it the process to enter into this notorious gang? First, the aspiring member actually fills out an application form. The Angels’ own "security" members verify who the applicant’s parents were, where he’s lived and where he wen to school. The background check includes pursuing the applicant’s prior W-2 forms. They also run a credit check. This particular part of the background check makes it difficult to infiltrate the club because Congress won’t allow law enforcement to use a false Social Security number to establish a fake credit history. This was not always the case, but in recent years it has become necessary. If they pass the background check, a new member will go through a "prospect" phase toward becoming a full patch-wearing member of the Hell’s Angels. As prospects, they’ll will be assigned to wash the motorcycles and other grunt work as they learn more about the Hell’s Angels. They are also required to prove themselves worthy of belonging to the Angels. They must commit felonies in the presence of the Angels (desert.net/tw).
Their philosophy on the weekend warriors and the yuppie Harley riders that start up "Harley Bars" where all the businessmen, wanna be bikers hang out is this: The Hell’s Angels don’t like the imitators and Hell’s Angels wanna bees. Would you? Each member knows every Hell’s Angels MC BHC member around the world. They are cursed with what they consider "morons" claiming to be an Angel that are not in any way. The Hell’s Angels have a very protective attitude towards their association and the culture they represent. Which is something that they can yet increase during the postmodernist collapse of strict boarders between different cultures. The habits and rules may get more importance in preserving the values they represent as their own culture can be borrowed, imitated and misused by outsiders. It’s probably important to have a set of rules through which to identify and define a "real" member of the club: If a man is a Hell’s Angels MC member he will have a patch and wear it when he is on his motorcycle. He will probably have other Hell’s Angels in and out of his home, hanging out with him in bars, and living the life that they love with him. Most of the Hell’s Angels have deathheads on their jewelry, their bikes, and half of their clothing. The majority of the Hell’s Angels have at least one if not more Hell’s Angels MC tattoos and live in states where they have charters. There are very very few exceptions to any of these rules, if any (www.hellsangelsforever.com).
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