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BOOZEFIGHTERS Motorcycle Club
"THE ORIGINAL WILD ONES"

Click here to Learn more about the BFMC and the Hollister Event of 1947

OWOF

A Brief History of the
Boozefighters Motorcycle Club

In 1946 just back from WWII a group of Veterans started hanging out with each other at the
All American Bar in Los Angeles, Ca.

Also in 1946 an individual named Willie Forkner crashed through a fence during a race in El Cajon, California and joined in the fun.

After his pleasure ride Wino Willie was kicked out of the 13 Rebels Motorcycle Club because of the excessive drinking habits. Wino decided to start his own club with the likes of men such as
Vern Autrey
Jack Lilly
Jim Cameron
J.D. Cameron
George Manker
Bobby Kelton
“Red Dog” Dahlgren
“Dink” Burns
Gil Armas
Johnny Roccio
Johnny Davis
“Fat Boy” Nelson
Lance Tidwell
and C.B. Clausen.

These “vets” were die-hard motorcycle enthusiasts (to say the least) who began making a name for themselves by their racing, building motorcycles and other motorcycle antics.

Eager to exercise the freedoms they had fought for in the war, these hard core motorcyclists formed the “Boozefighters Motorcycle Club(BFMC)".

The BFMC is one of the oldest active motorcycle clubs in existence and its original members
(The Original Wild Ones)
created much of the “Biker” lifestyle and image that continues today.

During the Great Hollister Rally and Races held at Hollister, Ca. in 1947 the Boozefighters participated in the fun and festivities which prompted Hollywood to portray them as the rough and rowdies in
“The Wild One” starring Marlon Brando.

Lee Marvin played the “Wino” Willie the founder of the BFMC in the movie as “Chino”.

Although the Hollister event was extremely blown out of proportion by the media it did set the stage for the “image” of the American Biker and started the separation of motorcycle clubs and the
American Motorcycle Association(AMA).

When Life Magazine published its article about bikers and the events at Hollister on 21 July 1947, the “bad boy” Biker image was blasted into the living rooms of everyday America, and all the fears and prejudices toward Motorcycle Clubs became nationwide.

Six years later Stanley Kramer produced
“The Wild One”
and the image went international. The Boozefighters then as in the present surely met the criteria of hard riding, hard drinking, dedicated motorcyclist that have “fun” and “brotherhood” as their main focus.

None of the “Original Wild Ones” were ever incarcerated for serious crimes and to this day the Boozefighters do not allow any illegal activities in the club.

The Boozefighters of today follow the examples of the original members (many who are still alive and riding today) by maintaining a respectful stature in today’s biker world, riding bikes and having fun.

The Originals didn’t discriminate toward any ethnic, religious, or political group. “Wino” Willie said “We fought side by side for all Americans to have freedom of choice”. The Boozefighters of today (many who are veterans) maintain this policy.

“The present-day Boozefighters revere our originals and the club’s founders for their intent, purpose and priorities:

Family First, Job Second, then Club Brotherhood.

We are family men, engaged in legitimate business and careers, enjoying getting together as a social group for parties, rides and special events.

We are into this thing strictly for having harmless, good clean fun. We couldn’t care less about “territory” and things like that.

The BFMC has never been a 1% or Outlaw Club, but we do respect all other clubs and try to maintain a good relationship with them and as much as possible, a peaceful coexistence.

The Boozefighters has a long and storied past and continues in the same traditions of the original members today.

Boozefighters have been successful motorcycle racers, builders (developed the first stroker motor) and all around tour riders (made some of the first long range rides in the 40’s) but in each and every Boozefighter of yesteryear and today runs a common thread, that is to have fun with your brothers on a bike.

The BFMC is one of the oldest active motorcycle clubs in existence. There are chapters across the United States Europe and Asia. A truly International organization. It is this rich history that is being preserved in the spirit of fellowship and good fun.

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