Who Are the Outlaws MC?
The Outlaws Motorcycle Club is one of the oldest documented one-percenter motorcycle clubs in the United States. Founded in 1935 in McCook, Illinois, the club predates the 1947 Hollister rally that produced the modern 1%er identity. The Outlaws are classified by the US Department of Justice as one of the four largest outlaw motorcycle clubs in the country, alongside the Hells Angels, Bandidos, and Pagans.
| Field | Documented detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1935, McCook, Illinois |
| Original name | McCook Outlaws |
| Renamed | Chicago Outlaws (1950) |
| Center patch | Skull over crossed pistons (called “Charlie”) |
| Alternate club name | American Outlaws Association (AOA) |
| Documented presence | United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia |
| Federal classification | ”Big Four” outlaw motorcycle gang per DOJ |
This article covers the documented history of the Outlaws MC from formation in McCook through chapter expansion across multiple continents. For the broader cluster context, our motorcycle clubs complete guide is the cluster reference.
Founding in McCook, Illinois (1935)
The Outlaws Motorcycle Club was founded in 1935 in McCook, a small village about 15 miles southwest of downtown Chicago. At the time, the club was simply called the McCook Outlaws. They were a group of men who rode motorcycles together on the flat roads outside Chicago, and they were among the first organized motorcycle clubs in the country.
To put that date in perspective, 1935 was six years before the United States entered World War II. The Hells Angels were not founded until 1948. The Bandidos did not exist until 1966. The Outlaws were riding and organizing when most of America had never heard the term “motorcycle club.”
The original McCook Outlaws were not an outlaw club in the modern sense. In the 1930s, there was no AMA one-percenter designation, no three-piece patches, and no established biker culture as we know it today. These were working men in the Chicago suburbs who shared a common bond over motorcycles. But the foundation they built would eventually grow into something much larger.
McCook, Illinois holds a permanent place in outlaw motorcycle history. It is where the whole thing started.
The Name Change and Chicago Expansion (1950s)
By 1950, the club had grown beyond its small-town roots. The membership expanded, and the McCook Outlaws officially renamed themselves the Chicago Outlaws. This was more than a name change. It signaled that the club was no longer a local group tied to one village. They were a Chicago organization with ambitions beyond the city limits.
During this period, the Outlaws also redesigned their logo. The original club emblem featured a winged motorcycle, a common design among early motorcycle clubs. In the early 1950s, the winged motorcycle was replaced with a skull. By 1954, crossed pistons were added behind the skull. This design, a skull over crossed pistons, became the permanent Outlaws MC emblem.
Members call the patch “Charlie.” The name is a reference to Charlie, the skull character in the logo. Some accounts suggest the name came from early members, while others say it was adopted later as the patch became the club’s central identity symbol. Either way, “Charlie” is the Outlaws MC, and unauthorized reproduction of the image is treated as a serious offense.
The 1950s were a transformative decade for motorcycle clubs across the country. The famous Hollister incident of 1947 and the 1953 film “The Wild One” had planted the outlaw biker image in the American consciousness. The Outlaws were already established long before that wave hit, but the growing public fascination with outlaw riders helped fuel their expansion.
One-Percenter Status and the AOA (1960s)
The 1960s defined the Outlaws MC as a one-percenter club and set the stage for their national expansion.
In 1963, the Outlaws became the first motorcycle club east of the Mississippi River to be recognized as a one-percenter club by the Brotherhood of Clubs. This was a significant distinction. At that time, the one-percenter outlaw clubs were overwhelmingly based in California and the western United States. The Outlaws brought the one-percenter identity to the Midwest and the East Coast.
On January 1, 1965, the club officially reorganized as the American Outlaws Association (AOA). This was a deliberate move to create a national structure that could govern multiple chapters across different states. The AOA framework gave the Outlaws a formal organizational hierarchy while maintaining the independence of individual chapters.
The 1960s also brought the Outlaws into direct conflict with the American Motorcycle Association (AMA). In 1960, the AMA banned the name “Outlaws” from all race clothing and events. This ban did nothing to slow the club. If anything, it reinforced the identity the members had already chosen for themselves. They were Outlaws, and they did not need the AMA’s approval.
During this decade, the Outlaws expanded aggressively across the Midwest. New chapters opened in Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, and other Great Lakes states. The club also pushed south into Florida, which would become one of their strongest territories in the decades to come.
The Charlie Patch: Meaning and Rules
The Outlaws MC patch is a three-piece back patch, the standard layout for one-percenter clubs:
- Top rocker: “Outlaws” in an arched banner
- Center patch: The Charlie skull over crossed pistons
- Bottom rocker: The chapter location
The Charlie skull is rendered in white on a black background. The crossed pistons behind the skull represent the motorcycle engine and the mechanical culture at the heart of the club. The overall design is stark and simple compared to the more elaborate patches of some other clubs.
Members wear additional patches that carry specific meanings. The “1%” diamond patch identifies the wearer as a one-percenter. “GFOD” stands for “God Forgives, Outlaws Don’t,” the club motto. “ADIOS” is an acronym that stands for “Angels Die In Outlaw States,” a direct reference to their rivalry with the Hells Angels.
If you want to understand more about what different biker patches mean and why they matter, the Outlaws patch system is a good example of how every element carries weight.
The Outlaws are known to enforce strict rules around their patch. Only full-patched members can wear it. Prospects earn the right over a probationary period that can last a year or more. The patch remains the property of the club, not the individual member. If a member leaves or is removed, the patch goes back.
The Hells Angels Rivalry
The rivalry between the Outlaws MC and the Hells Angels is the longest-running and most well-documented conflict in outlaw motorcycle club history. It spans decades and has played out across multiple countries.
The roots of the conflict go back to territory. The Hells Angels originated in California and dominated the West Coast. The Outlaws controlled the Midwest and much of the East Coast. As both clubs expanded through the 1960s and 1970s, their territories began to overlap, particularly in the Southeast United States and in Canada.
The “ADIOS” patch, standing for “Angels Die In Outlaw States,” makes the Outlaws’ position clear. This is not a subtle rivalry. It is open, declared, and baked into the club’s identity.
The conflict has produced documented violent incidents over the years. Federal law enforcement agencies including the FBI and ATF have investigated both clubs in connection with territorial disputes. Court records from multiple prosecutions reference the Outlaws-Hells Angels rivalry as a motivating factor behind certain incidents.
The rivalry is not just about territory. It is about respect, identity, and the fundamental question of which club holds dominance in a given region. For the Outlaws, the claim is simple: they were here first. They are the oldest one-percenter club in America, and they do not yield ground.
This dynamic mirrors the broader patterns of rivalry among outlaw motorcycle clubs, where territorial claims and club honor drive conflicts that can last for generations.
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Territory: Great Lakes, Southeast, and Beyond
The Outlaws MC has traditionally claimed two primary strongholds in the United States: the Great Lakes region and the American Southeast.
Great Lakes Region
The club’s roots are in Illinois, and the Midwest has always been Outlaws territory. Chicago remains a key city for the club. Chapters operate across Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. The flat, open roads of the Midwest are where the Outlaws built their identity, and they have never loosened their grip on the region.
The Southeast
Florida became the Outlaws’ second power base starting in the 1960s and 1970s. The club established strong chapters across the state and used Florida as a launching point for further southern expansion. Chapters spread into Georgia, Tennessee, the Carolinas, and other southeastern states.
The Southeast put the Outlaws in direct contact with other major clubs, including the Warlocks MC in Florida and the Pagans MC along the East Coast. These overlapping territories created additional friction points beyond the Hells Angels rivalry.
The Outlaws also maintained alliances and relationships with smaller regional 1%er clubs. The Iron Horsemen MC in Cincinnati and the Gypsy Jokers MC in Portland and Australia both operated in territories adjacent to the Outlaws’ sphere, and the dynamics between these clubs shaped regional power structures for decades.
Other U.S. Territories
Beyond the Great Lakes and Southeast, the Outlaws maintain chapters in the Northeast and parts of the mid-Atlantic. The club has operated chapters in at least 19 states at various points in its history. The exact number of active chapters fluctuates as new chapters open and others close or merge.
International Expansion
The Outlaws MC went international in 1977 when they established their first chapter in Canada. This was a strategic move that put them in direct competition with the Hells Angels on Canadian soil, adding a new front to their ongoing rivalry.
Canada
Canadian chapters were established in Ontario and other provinces. The Canadian expansion was significant because it demonstrated the Outlaws’ willingness to compete for territory outside the United States. Canada had been a Hells Angels stronghold, and the Outlaws planting their flag there was a deliberate challenge.
Europe
In 1993, the Outlaws opened their first European chapter in France. This marked the beginning of a broader push into Europe that would continue for years. The club expanded into Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Italy, and several other countries.
The European expansion put the Outlaws in competition with European chapters of the Hells Angels and the Bandidos, both of which had already established strong presences on the continent. The result was a three-way competition for territory and influence that played out across multiple countries.
Scandinavia
Scandinavian chapters were established in the early 2000s. Norway and Sweden both had Outlaws chapters by 2001. The Nordic biker scene was already intense, with the Hells Angels and Bandidos engaged in what the media called the “Great Nordic Biker War” in the 1990s. The Outlaws entered this environment as a third force.
Asia and Australia
The club also established chapters in Thailand (2001) and later expanded into Australia. The Asia-Pacific expansion gave the Outlaws a truly global footprint, with chapters on every inhabited continent except South America and Africa.
Today, the Outlaws MC is estimated to have chapters in over 20 countries. The exact numbers are not publicly confirmed by the club, as one-percenter organizations do not publish membership rolls or chapter lists.
Harry “Taco” Bowman and the 1990s
Harry Joseph “Taco” Bowman served as the international president of the Outlaws MC from 1984 to 1997 and became one of the most well-known figures in outlaw motorcycle club history, though not by his own choice. Bowman was the subject of a major federal investigation that resulted in his arrest and conviction.
In 1997, Bowman was indicted on federal racketeering charges and became a fugitive. In 1998, he was placed on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. He was arrested on June 7, 1999, in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. In 2001, Bowman was convicted on RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) charges in a federal trial in Tampa and sentenced to two life terms plus 83 years in prison.
The Bowman case was the centerpiece of a broader federal crackdown on the Outlaws MC during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Multiple members across several states were indicted on charges ranging from racketeering to drug trafficking to witness intimidation.
The federal prosecutions of this era had a significant impact on the club. Several chapters lost members to prison sentences, and the increased law enforcement pressure forced changes in how the club operated. However, the Outlaws survived the Bowman era, as they had survived other periods of pressure before it.
Notable Incidents and Federal Cases
The Outlaws MC has been the subject of numerous law enforcement investigations over its history. Here are some of the most documented cases:
Federal Undercover Operations (2000s)
Federal agents conducted undercover operations targeting the Outlaws in multiple states. These investigations led to indictments of dozens of members on various charges. The operations demonstrated the level of federal attention directed at the club.
The Taco Bowman RICO Case (1997-2001)
As described above, this was the highest-profile federal case against the Outlaws. The RICO prosecution targeted the club’s national leadership and resulted in multiple convictions and lengthy prison sentences.
Twin Peaks Connection (2015)
While the Outlaws were not the primary clubs involved in the Twin Peaks shootout in Waco, Texas (that incident primarily involved the Bandidos and the Cossacks), the event drew renewed attention to all major outlaw motorcycle clubs in the United States, including the Outlaws.
Ongoing Federal Monitoring
The Outlaws MC, like all major one-percenter clubs, remains under ongoing federal law enforcement scrutiny. The ATF, FBI, and state-level agencies maintain intelligence operations related to outlaw motorcycle clubs. This is the reality for every club that wears the one-percenter diamond.
Outlaws MC Structure and Hierarchy
The Outlaws MC follows the standard one-percenter club hierarchy that is common across most outlaw motorcycle clubs:
National Level
- National President: Leads the entire organization
- National Vice President: Second in command
- National Secretary-Treasurer: Handles organizational administration
Chapter Level
- Chapter President: Leads the local chapter
- Vice President: Second in command at the chapter level
- Secretary-Treasurer: Manages chapter finances and records
- Sergeant-at-Arms: Responsible for security and discipline
- Road Captain: Plans and leads rides
Membership Tiers
- Full-patch members: Wear the complete three-piece patch and have full voting rights
- Prospects: Members in a probationary period, typically lasting one year or more
- Hang-arounds: Individuals who socialize with the club and may be considered for prospect status
The club requires members to own and ride American-made motorcycles. This has traditionally meant Harley-Davidson, though the specific requirements may vary by chapter. The American-made rule is a core part of the Outlaws identity and reflects the club’s roots in Midwestern American motorcycle culture.
The Outlaws MC Today
The Outlaws Motorcycle Club is still active and still growing. They celebrated their 50th anniversary as the AOA in 2015 and their 80th anniversary as a club that same year. In 2035, the club will mark 100 years since its founding in McCook, Illinois.
The Outlaws remain one of the Big Four outlaw motorcycle clubs. Their rivalry with the Hells Angels continues. Their chapters span multiple continents. And their patch, Charlie, the skull over crossed pistons, is still one of the most recognized symbols in motorcycle culture.
The club has adapted to changing times while maintaining its core identity. New generations of riders have joined, chapters have opened in new countries, and the Outlaws have weathered federal prosecutions, internal conflicts, and decades of law enforcement pressure.
What has not changed is the fundamental principle: the Outlaws MC was the first, and they intend to be the last.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Outlaws MC founded?
The Outlaws Motorcycle Club was founded in 1935 in McCook, Illinois. This makes them the oldest one-percenter motorcycle club in the United States, predating the Hells Angels by 13 years.
What does AOA stand for?
AOA stands for American Outlaws Association. The club adopted this name on January 1, 1965, when they reorganized under a national structure to govern multiple chapters.
What is the Outlaws MC motto?
The official motto is “God Forgives, Outlaws Don’t,” often abbreviated as GFOD on patches and club materials.
What does ADIOS mean in the Outlaws MC?
ADIOS is an acronym that stands for “Angels Die In Outlaw States.” It is a direct reference to the club’s rivalry with the Hells Angels and is worn as a patch by Outlaws members.
What is the Charlie patch?
Charlie is the name for the Outlaws MC center patch. It features a skull over crossed pistons on a black background. The design has been the club’s primary emblem since the 1950s.
How many chapters do the Outlaws have?
The exact number is not publicly confirmed. The Outlaws MC operates chapters in at least 19 U.S. states and over 20 countries worldwide, including Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Norway, Poland, Thailand, and Australia.
Who was Taco Bowman?
Harry “Taco” Bowman was the international president of the Outlaws MC from 1984 to 1997. He was indicted on federal racketeering charges in 1997, placed on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list in 1998, and arrested in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, in 1999. He was convicted on federal RICO charges in 2001 and sentenced to two life terms plus 83 years in prison.
Are the Outlaws MC still active?
Yes. The Outlaws MC remains one of the four largest outlaw motorcycle clubs in the world. They continue to operate chapters across multiple countries and maintain an active presence in their traditional strongholds in the Great Lakes region and the American Southeast.
Sources
- UNITED STATES v. BOWMAN (2002) - FindLaw - 11th Circuit Court of Appeals opinion in the Taco Bowman RICO case
- U.S. Department of Justice - Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs - DOJ overview of outlaw MC classifications including the Outlaws
- Quinn, James F. “Angels, Bandidos, Outlaws, and Pagans: The Evolution of Organized Crime Among the Big Four 1%er Motorcycle Clubs.” Deviant Behavior, vol. 22, 2001 - Academic analysis of Big Four MC structures and criminal enterprises
- Dulaney, William L. “A Brief History of Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs.” International Journal of Motorcycle Studies, 2005 - Academic history of outlaw MC origins including the Outlaws’ founding
- Barker, Thomas. Biker Gangs and Organized Crime. Anderson Publishing, 2007 - Overview of outlaw MC organizational structures and territorial dynamics
Related Articles
- What Is a 1%er Biker?
- The Warlocks MC: History and Chapters
- The Pagans MC: Complete History
- The Most Famous Biker Gangs
- The Meaning of Biker Patches
Background reading: our motorcycle clubs complete guide lays out the patches, the politics, and the unwritten rules every rider should know about MC culture.
