The Untold History of Motorcycle Clubs: What does a "DIAMOND 13" patch really mean

There is a lot of controversy and misunderstanding surrounding the "Diamond 13" patch. If you ask 10 different bikers what the patch means, you'll get 10 different answers. Some will say it stands for the thirteenth letter if the alphabet "M" which stands for motorcycle or marijuana. Some will say it means "only 12 Jurors and 1 Judge can judge me. Some 1% clubs use the patch in recognition and to identify their support clubs.

Ask yourself, why is the same patch so widely used and has all these different meanings? There has to be something more to the patch.

Lets look at the history of the patch. A friend of mine who was a member of one of these early "Outlaw" MC, relayed the following;

The "Diamond 13" patch got it's founding in Southern California in the early 30's as an anti-AMA patch. It was used by the early "Outlaw" clubs to show their separation from AMA clubs and to show their dissatisfaction with the AMA movement and rules. In the early 30's the AMA was trying to take over both the racing and motorcycle club scene and not everyone was happy about it. AMA was proud of their patch, so the anti-AMA movement, "The Outlaws", created their own movement without the strict AMA rules. Most AMA races paid out more and was very attractive for some racers and racing clubs.

The "13" on the patch stood for the Top 13 "Outlaw" motorcycle clubs in Southern California, the Top 13 outlaw racing clubs were awarded the patch and a trophy. After that they become part of the "Diamond Club" which was a small part of the Southern California Outlaw Federation racing scene. In the early 60's when the 1% movement came about, the 13 on the patch changed into a 1%. The diamond patch shape was used because it already stood for the anti-AMA movement and it was AMA who used the term 99% of bikers are law abiding.

1939 S.C.O.F. Trophy awarded to the Moonshiners MC

The "13" was widely used into the mid 1960's as an outlaw symbol. Below are Hells Angels MC members which show the transition from the "13" to the 1% Diamond. In the mid 1970's the 1% diamond become standard in the front of the MC colors. Some Motorcycle Clubs wore the 1%'er patch as a square shape before it was a diamond shape.