Alain Bouched Leather Motorcycle Jackets

Vest Patchs

Biker Patches Can Express Many Points Of View

Biker patches have been a part of motorcycle lore for almost as long as motorcycles have been around. They've been used for identification, making political statements and as warnings to others. Where the leather goes, the biker patches are sure to follow.

One of the key characteristics of motorcycle riders is that they tend to be an independent breed, people who are not afraid to shun convention. Biker patches are one way they choose to display that tendency in myriad ways. Some bikers also choose to wear biker patches to share their club or other organizational affiliations.

Some riders choose to wear small biker patches on their leather jackets or vests to display flags, political statements or humorous or philosophical sayings. Christian riders often wear biker patches that show their faith as part of their ministry to others. Other riders wear patches to commemorate a special event or road trip, such as Sturgis or Daytona Bike Week. Many wear memorial patches to remember friends who have died.

Some groups geared to a specific membership, such as the Patriot Guard Riders, wear biker patches specific to their organizations. Groups such as veterans' riders clubs, law enforcement officers' rider clubs and other groups also wear biker patches custom designed for those groups.

Many organizations such as riders' clubs sponsored by motorcycle manufacturers have their own biker patches as well. These are traditionally one-piece patches, as opposed to the three-piece biker patches worn by so-called "outlaw" motorcycle clubs. Manufacturer-sanctioned organizations such as the Harley Owners Group (HOG) have no specific membership requirements other than owning a bike of the designated make.

Of course, the style of custom patches most commonly referred to as "biker patches" is the traditional three-piece patch worn by motorcycle club members on the back of a jacket or vest. These patches represent so-called outlaw motorcycle clubs not officially sanction by the American Motorcyclist Association.

Three-piece biker patches traditionally feature a large center piece with a club-specific design, flanked by rockers above and below the center piece. The top rocker usually indicates the name of the club, while the bottom one shows the club's home city or state.

It's not easy to wear three-piece biker patches. They're usually won only after a club apprenticeship and initiation process that can take years. Only "full patch" members, those who have demonstrated their value and loyalty to the club, are entitled to wear the three-piece biker patches.

Less common are two-piece biker patches. These are commonly worn by clubs that are affiliated with an outlaw club and are in transition to becoming a club that wears its own three-piece biker patches.

Just like motorcycles themselves, the embroidery equipment that produce custom biker patches has developed over the years into high-speed, high-performance machines. Computer controlled embroidery machines can create biker patches of almost any style quickly and accurately, reproducing virtually any design uniformly.

Contemporary biker patches can convey any message a rider chooses. From faith to faithlessness, policy to politics, humor to hubris, if it can be read, it can be turned into patches. Classic patches are timeless, and creative bikers are creating new ones every day. The expressive possibilities of biker patches are like the open road – limitless.

About the Author

Patches4Less is an industry leader in the design and production of biker patches. The company produces custom patches in a variety of sizes, colors and styles to suit any occasion.

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