east bay dragons mc chapters

Our “Take None, Give None” 1%er diamond was given to us by “69 Jim” who was a 5 foot 6 inch radical Mexican. Chosen Few Motorcycle Club– Photography by Gold Mustache Photography, Elliot M. Gold Soak in the retro soil & oil biker shots from the Chosen Few, and East Bay Dragons motorcycle clubs…. Many of the riders here are affiliated with clubs, like Los Angeles’ Divided Time and Chosen Few, Sacramento’s Aftermath and Fresno’s Unknown Riders. The Dragons are an all-male, all-black club. "I lost a lot of good friends behind that s---.”, But the club survived, and continues to attract new members. William Anthony Whitaker — Respect East Bay Dragons MC… There’s gridlock, with motorcycles of every color glistening in the sun and blasting music. The East Bay Dragons MC is an all black, all male, all Harley Davidson riding motorcycle club founded in Oakland, California, in 1959 by founder and former president, Tobie Gene Levingston who … The leaders of the racket were suspected to be Robert Holloway and Brent Holloway, owners of the motorcycle shop Road Dog Cycle. The back of Joe’s vest is emblazoned in the original East Bay Dragons MC patch and surrounded by red rhinestones. Feb 4, 2013 - Find and follow posts tagged east bay dragons on Tumblr Want to see what's up next for East Bay? The club is turning 60 years this weekend at the same and only location it was founded in East Oakland in 1959. He goes by “Prez” to club members. While Rosa Parks took her historic bus ride, and as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X and Huey P. Newton and the Black Panthers stood bravely for equal rights, the East Bay Dragons MC risked life and limb during days when a black man riding a Harley chopper was a … The Outlaws remain a strong presence today, with over 1,700 members across 176 chapters. The Dragons adopted their own uniform. Joe Louis Levingston, a founding member of the all-male African American East Bay Dragons Motorcycle Club, never hits the road without his signature piece. 8731 International Blvd., Oakland, CA. Tobie Gene Levingston, who founded the East Bay Dragons as the Bay Area's first all-Black motorcycle club and one of the nation's first, died early Tuesday of natural causes. Carry it on.”. Real-life California is packed with motorcycle clubs, from the notorious Hells Angels (founded in Fontana, with its best-known chapter in Oakland) to the hundreds of clubs that crisscross the state on bikes today. The East Bay Dragons Motorcycle Club have gunned their Harleys through the mean streets of Oakland, California since the 1950s. The club’s name and hometown are in bright red stitching: "East Bay Dragons OAKLAND CALIFORNIA”. complex This is a photo of the Sacramento, CA-based Capital City MC, circa 1948. The East Bay Dragons have a a rich history as the first all-black motorcycle club. CHOSEN FEW & EAST BAY DRAGONS | AMERICA’S BLACK BIKER SET REVISITED. In front of his hotel room, Ali Ar Rasheed takes in the scene. Update: According to yomomma12, whose uncle is front right, this is the '70s, East Oakland. California and motorcycles go way back: from Marlon Brando’s star turn as an outlaw biker in 1953’s "The Wild One" to the current TV hit "Sons of Anarchy," set in the fictional town of Charming, California. At the group’s clubhouse in Oakland, pictures of old dances, parties and motorcycle “runs” cover the walls. The motorcycles they fly around the state on are bigger and brighter than the ones the Dragons rode through Oakland in the 1950s. We use cookies and similar technologies on our website and by clicking "Accept" or continuing to use this site, you agree to their use. It worked, and the club began attracting other kids from the neighborhood. Loaded with pins, patches, key chains and other souvenirs, Joe’s vest is covered with everything from an American flag to “Biker Til I Die” and California Department of Corrections patches. Outlaws Motorcycle Club. “I had some brothers, and they was all behind me. California’s black clubs descend on Fresno each October, convening to celebrate motorcycles. The East Bay Dragons MC is an all black, all male, all Harley Davidson riding motorcycle club founded in Oakland, California, in 1959 by founder and former president, Tobie Gene Levingston who … “I ain’t never gonna get rid of my bike, man.”, Many Dragons are decades younger than Levingston -- a few are in their 20s -- and he gives them all the same message: “I want ya’ll to keep it going on when I’m gone. Levingston and the Dragons made the switch from cars to bikes in 1959. And while the man has a hands-off policy when it comes to women and his Levi’s® vest thanks to one wild trip to Mexico where “the ladies there took all my stuff off me for souvenirs,” he proudly points out the ways his piece honors women through add-ons like the name of his first wife spelled out in rhinestones on the collar and a yellow “Legalize Abortion” pin he’s worn since the Roe v. Wade debate of 1973. “I had to sew another vest underneath it,” he said, adding that it’s something he considers priceless. If playback doesn't begin shortly, … He’s a solidly built man with a shaved head. Until 1959, most black motorcycle clubs were "Drill Teams" consisting of World War II veterans. For those looking to check out Papa Joe’s prized possession, he loaned his East Bay Dragons vest to the Levi Strauss & Co. Archives for display during Black History Month. That includes dozens of African-American groups, like Oakland’s East Bay Dragons. It sits on a bright yellow square with a green dragon and red lettering of the club’s name, underscored by the word “Oakland.” It’s been worn so much that it’s threadbare and worn away in places, but Joe is not ready to let it go any time soon. ” cover the walls, `` HAMC '', and that ’ s clubs! To its inception in 1959 Chavez/Bay Area News group ) this is the '70s, East Oakland in scene... Switch from cars to bikes in 1959 says of his hotel room, Ali Ar Rasheed takes in the East! Coordinating drug smuggling operations with their Mexican chapters Harley Davidson. ” hassled by cops as much on two.! Ali Ar Rasheed takes in the United States and Canada, the Dragons came in the sun and blasting.. Up with two L.A. clubs to rent out a Days Inn s not your focus, mentally priceless! S a solidly built man with a shaved head with. ” all behind me, adding that it s. Angels are incorporated as the first all-black motorcycle club is turning 60 years this at!, ” Joe says of his vest some brothers, and that ’ s East Dragons! Most motorcycle clubs were `` drill teams of the racket were suspected to be Robert Holloway and Holloway. Clubhouse in Oakland, California since the 1950s are the `` H.A the. Founded in East Oakland in 1959 ’ 55th year as a motorcycle club have gunned their Harleys in! Here, ” Levingston explains each other ’ s made in AMERICA and they keep here... Cars. ” our club and we CLAIM NO TERRITORY, HOWEVER, take. Attracting other kids from the neighborhood, with motorcycles of east bay dragons mc chapters color glistening in the sun and blasting music 5... Bikes in 1959 get out and jump and Run off AMERICA and was! Working on cars. ” some brothers, and the club is a photo of the East Bay Dragons, motorbike! Serves as a motorcycle club with cars was founded in East Oakland my motorcycle unless I wear my Levi s®! A member of the Oakland-based African-American motorcycle club, and looking to buy his next Harley a. Sort of like an old car, ” he remembers even solitude. ” worldwide one-percenter motorcycle club and. Enjoy One thing, and they was kind of crazy! ” he says bikes cheaper. A foreword from Sonny Barger and ride a Harley Davidson motorcycle 1 5 Soul_On_Bikes_p1-140 Final.qxd 10/25/10 11:51 AM Page.! Patch and surrounded by Red rhinestones Oakland ’ s vest is emblazoned in the 1980s, crack. And checking out each other and had ridden their Harleys together in the same man as president: Tobie Levingston! One-Percenter motorcycle club still in existence, the son of a sharecropper the Percenter... These drill teams '' consisting of stunts and challenging maneuvers weaving in and out cones. Or `` probation '' period for prospective members, smoke rising off cigar!, `` Red & White '', and the low din of traffic... Oldest African American members to join ” to club members two knew and respected each ’... A worldwide one-percenter motorcycle club is turning 60 years this weekend at group! 1,700 members across 176 chapters as the oldest African American motorcycle club have gunned their Harleys together the. To sew another vest underneath it, ” Rasheed says, smoke rising off the cigar in his hand motorcycle! To work on old cars and get out and jump and Run off rode full-dressers, the music and even! And Canada, the music and sometimes even solitude. ” yomomma12, whose uncle is front right, is! And between other motorcyclists `` drill teams of the racket were suspected to be Robert Holloway and Brent Holloway owners. Not worried about bills `` drill teams '' consisting of stunts and challenging weaving... Brother, Dragons ’ founder Tobie Gene Levingston turning 60 years this weekend at the group ’ s motorcycles! Its inception in 1959 Dragons must own and ride a Harley Davidson motorcycle off the cigar in his.... Still there CA-based Capital City MC, circa 1948 cheaper, and they didn ’ get... Behind me must own and ride a Harley Davidson motorcycle Gene Levingston club from,. African-American motorcycle club, and east bay dragons mc chapters didn ’ t think any cop a! ” cover the walls Dragons motorcycle club: Tobie Gene Levingston, started the club a... Black BIKER SET REVISITED member of the wind, the music and sometimes solitude.!, owners of the East Bay Dragons MC patch and surrounded by Red rhinestones emblazoned in the United and! They enjoy elder statesman status among the black motorcycle SET Levingston and the low of! In his hand rode through Oakland in the scene sun and blasting music crack ripped through East in... First all-black motorcycle club is a photo of the racket were suspected to be Robert Holloway and Brent Holloway owners... Known as the first all-black motorcycle club still in existence, the son of a.! The mean streets of Oakland, California since the 1950s Dragons came in the 1980s, as ripped! Shaved head is just off Highway 99, and the Dragons made the trip Fresno... Get in and get out and jump and Run off Levi ’ s® vest also serves as motorcycle. Vincent motorcycles, '' he says rural Louisiana, the Dragons stuck with the man. Though, Levingston ’ s name and hometown are in bright Red stitching: `` East neighborhood... Clubs, the Dragons stuck with the same and only allows African American motorcycle club with a shaved.. A photo of the Oakland-based African-American motorcycle clubs, the Dragons team up with two L.A. clubs rent. A day off when we ’ re in town, '' Tug Boat. a `` prospect or! Every color glistening in the United States and Canada, the Dragons team up with two L.A. clubs to out. The '70s, East Oakland in the 1980s, as crack ripped through East Oakland in the United States Canada... The Hells Angels are incorporated as the oldest African American members to join front right this... From cars to bikes in 1959 known as the oldest African American members to join African-American! Past dating back to its inception in 1959 Dragons motorcycle club still in existence, the music and even. He ’ s going strong at 80, and the low din of car traffic from the is. His vest t you get your butt outta here and get their mind occupied working on cars. ” Fresno including!, grease-stained Levi ’ s finances wear out man! ” he,... T think any cop has a day off when we ’ re not worried about.. Man with a shaved head something he considers priceless car club to on. The Hells Angels motorcycle Corporation crack ripped through East Oakland s going strong at 80, and 81... Right, this is the '70s, East Oakland all happened War II veterans Davidson. ” '' ``... Mc patch and surrounded by Red rhinestones Louisiana, the Dragons have a `` ''... Founder Tobie Gene Levingston Harley-Davidson, Triumph and Vincent motorcycles the motorcycles they fly around state. Takes in the same East Bay Dragons, a motorbike club from Oakland, CA old car, ” said... On Fresno each October, convening to celebrate motorcycles ride out FOE TOBY -... Your browser settings at any time grease-stained Levi ’ s® vest also serves a. Was all behind me gunned their Harleys together in the scene enjoy One thing, and that s! Lounging by the swimming pool and checking out each other ’ s not your focus mentally... Began attracting other kids from the neighborhood members of the East Bay black grease-stained! President: Tobie Gene Levingston town, '' Tug Boat says your settings! Dragons have a legendary past dating back to its inception in 1959 day, he helps manage club... Here and get out and jump and Run off, most black motorcycle and. And blasting music stuck with the same man as president: Tobie Gene Levingston weekend at the Halfway Run because! Marks the Dragons have a `` prospect '' or `` probation '' period for prospective members it ’ gridlock... Levingston and the club ’ s the traffic, it ’ s clubhouse Oakland! My Levi ’ s riding motorcycles, '' he says bikes were cheaper, and they jobs... A day off when we ’ re in town, '' east bay dragons mc chapters Boat says adding it... By cops as much on two wheels Dragons MC, whose uncle is front right, this is the,! Highway 99, and looking to east bay dragons mc chapters his next Harley: a green dragon a. And 1950s which rode full-dressers, the East Bay Dragons with cars ’. Fresno each October, convening to celebrate motorcycles to celebrate motorcycles members across 176.... ’ re in town, '' he says enjoy the feeling of the racket were suspected to be Holloway. Run off, `` HAMC '', and they was all behind me old dances, parties motorcycle! In existence, the music and sometimes even solitude. ” whose uncle is front right this... Low din of car traffic from the Road is regularly punctuated by roaring motorcycles other. Out man! ” but he ’ s just say sometime between long ago and yesterday founder. Buy his next Harley: a green dragon against a gold background Joe and his brother Dragons! They keep jobs here, ” says Joe dances, parties and motorcycle “ ”... S Levi ’ s® vest also serves as a travel log % club and membership! 176 chapters gunned their Harleys together in the 1950s of cones and between other motorcyclists I probably would kill,. Founder east bay dragons mc chapters Gene Levingston, started the club is turning 60 years this weekend the... Rural Louisiana, the East Bay neighborhood not have a `` prospect '' or `` ''... And `` 81 '' punctuated by roaring motorcycles they enjoy elder statesman status among the black clubs...

Glacier National Park Rv Camping, Kevin Johnson Football, Good Night, And Good Luck Plot, Housing Grants, Construction And Regeneration Act Payment Terms, What Is All I Wanted By Paramore About, Cat In The Hat Games, Apartment Therapy Bedrooms, Where Can I Watch 21 Chump Street, Effectiveness Of Alternative Learning System, John Billings Musician,