WHO WERE THE FIRST BLACK BIKERS ON THE SET IN THE WEST:
I researched and found that the first all Black Motorcycle Club was actually a drill team riders out of Northern California. Many thought the Star Riders were the first black motorcycle club on the set but it was noted that a premier motorcyclists named Don Myers, aka “Snake”. Don was a member of the Berkeley Tigers back in 1953. This club predated the Star Riders. They wore colors on their backs with jazzy green and yellow sweaters with their names embroidered on the front. The Berkeley Tigers had members only in Northern California in cities like Vallejo, San Rafael and San Francisco.
By 1955 they had trouble in their camp because some members wanted to wear black and white uniforms as well as paint their bikes all black like the Star Riders. Don wasn’t cool with that so they called a meeting and they say it became violent. Don wanted to let the members have their bikes any color and design. The members who agreed with him wanted to keep their sense of individuality. They placed it before the members to vote and unfortunately for Don, aka “Snake”, he was overruled. That began the separation of the Berkeley Tigers. Don formed the California Blazers with the members who agreed with him.
One of the earliest noted Black Motorcycle Club in Northern California was the Bayview Rockets, which started in 1951. There also was the Buffalo Riders, the Space Riders, the Jolly Riders, the Peacemakers and the Safari Riders. The Richmond Roadrunners is another club that came up around this time and Richmond is a dangerous ruff city even to this day.
If you have any history to share I would love to post your knowledge. I encourage those of you who have information to share it so we all can be empowered.
Goldie-Regulator for Life!
Popularity: 1% [?]
