Iron Horses MC

The Iron Horses Motorcycle Club or IHMC, is a world-wide motorcycle club. They are much, much smaller then HAMC but are still a formidiable group. Like the Hells Angels MC members nickname themselves "one-percenters", Iron Horse Full-Patch members wear a 1% patch often found on the left handside of the Waistcoat.

History
IHMC was formed in 1966 by American GI's, from Fürth. German members started to join in 1971. They held big parties and rallies in Germany in the following years and built up an interest. Among the rallies was the famous HOG-Rallies.

In 1974 the Nuremberg Chapter decided to organize the first German Presidents-Rally, which was held by the Lawmen MC in Frankfurt. At the beginning of the eighties, the first Chapters developed in Den Haag and Mons. Since, Iron Horses have spread from Italy to Norway and from Hungary to Wales.

The Iron Horses have followed a very strict code of secrecy amongst themselves to everyone but themselves and other MCs within the Biking Pow-Wow.

Insignia

The Iron Horses utilize a patch system, similar to a military medal. The official colors of the Iron Horses are yellow lettering displayed on a black background. These patches are worn on leather or denim jackets and vests, called 'cutdowns', so called due to the removal or 'cutting' of the collars and cuffs from the clothing item.

Also, the patch, a rhombus shaped patch is used. It is labelled with '1%' and it displays a yellow background with black letters. The patch, and subsequent term, was in response to the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) comment on the Hollister incident and their statement that 99% of motorcyclists were law-abiding citizens, and the last one percent were outlaws.

When applicable, members of the club wear a patch denoting their position / rank within the organization. The patch is rectangular, and, similarly to the patches described above, displays a yellow background with black letters and a black merrowed border. Some examples of the titles used are President, Vice President, Prospect and Supporter. This patch is usually worn below the 'club location' patch.

Membership
Hieracy:

4 - Hang-around (Support Patch)

3 - Supporter (Supporter Patches) (See Pic)

2 - Prospect (Backpatch)

1 - Full Member (Full Backpatch)

Iron Horses have a similar way of letting members join as most clubs do. Iron Horse members must be men over 21 years, however exceptions can be made if a Juinor Hang-Around has been coming to the club and its events since VERY young, or if they are the son of a member. If made a member under the age of 21, the Juinor Hang-Around is made into a Junior Supporter. There is no patch to show the difference between an older and younger supporter. Also, members are NOT required to own a Harley Davidson motorcycle. Individuals, after a lengthy, phased process, are first deemed to be a 'Hang-around', wherein an individual is invited to some club events or meets club members at known gathering places.

If the Supporter is interested, they may be asked to become a member, being called a 'Prospect', participating in some club activities, but not having voting privileges, while they are evaluated for suitability as full members. The last phase, and highest membership status, is 'Full Membership' or Full-Patch'.

A Prospect no longer wears a supporter patch and instead awarded a back-patch with the words Prospect. A Full-Patched member has a similar patch as the Prospect but has Iron Horses written on instead.

To become a full member, the Prospect must be voted on by the rest of the full club members. Prior to votes being cast, a Prospect usually travels to every chapter and introduces himself to every Full-Patch. This allows each voting member to become familiar with the subject, and ask any questions of concern prior to the vote. A Supporter needs the vote of all the Full-Patch members to become a Prospect. Some form of formal induction follows, where-in the Prospect affirms his loyalty to the club and its members. The step of attaining full membership can be referred to as "being patched".

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See Also

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