Motorcycles and death wishes, huh?

1462 Views 29 Replies 19 Participants Last post by Razorbladesmile, Dec 21, 2007

BigJohn

Discussion Starter · Dec 21, 2007

I downloaded the Kawasaki Apparel catalogue and took a quick look through it.

First off, the girls look good. Yes they do.

Second off, and I really don't understand this, why the fascination with death, skulls and blood? Not just in this catalogue, but in motorcycling in general? There just seems to be an abundance of morbidity associated with the sport.

It seems to me that us cruisers are especially fixated on the subjects. We paint out bikes with skulls, axes, spear points, devils, wicked snakes, some really cool art works. But, the themes are so morbid.

It is interesting to me. What is it about death and motorcycles that draws this out of us?

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Greg in ND

· #2 · Dec 21, 2007

I agree John...

I guess I am just not into all the skulls and dragons and all, but I always thought it started out many years ago with The Hell's Angles and other biker gangs, and just were associated with bikes from there. Good Question.....

BigJohn

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 21, 2007

It may have started there, but why does it continue? I'm no shrink or social worker, just curious - yellow...

BassAddict

· #4 · Dec 21, 2007

Nah . . . not everyone that rides is into Goth or morbid stuff. I saw a lady's Harley in Daytona with kitten prints up the tank.

I'm going to have to skip the kitten prints and the morbid/gore too. I don't know what I'd go with on a paint job.

davidcl

· #5 · Dec 21, 2007

I would like a "Sponge Bob" themed bike... but, it might be too "adult" for some tastes.

sthrnrider

· #6 · Dec 21, 2007

i think it has just followed the biker scene.....personally i like dragons and fire i dont know about the skulls...my reason for the dragons is in china the dragon is a symbol of protection my tattoo of a dragon has my daughters name in it hoping that it will bring her protection while i am away from her

BassAddict

· #7 · Dec 21, 2007

sthrnrider said:
i think it has just followed the biker scene.....personally i like dragons and fire i dont know about the skulls...my reason for the dragons is in china the dragon is a symbol of protection my tattoo of a dragon has my daughters name in it hoping that it will bring her protection while i am away from her

While I am not into tattoos, it'd be hard to argue with your reasoning.

I hope it helps your daughter too!

sthrnrider

· #8 · Dec 21, 2007

it hard spending 14 days a month away from her not knowing what shes doing every minute like when im home so i look to the dragon to protect her ....easy on the mind a little

2WheelFun

· #9 · Dec 21, 2007

I belive it started within some biker gangs that started years ago and since has turned into a money making business. Many companies sell decals...prints...tattoo's...posters...hats...shirts...all in the interest in making a buck.

Me...I don't care for it myself but have seen a few bikes that had that theme done to them and they looked decent due to the way it was done.

Funny...we don't do that to our cars and trucks.

David Madden

· #10 · Dec 21, 2007

To answer the question of lineage between HAMC and a military organization is that Arvid Olsen, "Flying Tigers" Hell's Angels squadron gave the idea of the name to the actual founders of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, in Fontana, California. The selection of our colors, red on white, is a result of the association of Olsen with the HAMC founders, like the insignia of the 3PS "Hell's Angels". The insignia of the HAMC, our copyrighted Deathshead can ... be traced to two variant insignia designs, the 85th Fighter Squadron and the 552nd Medium Bomber Squadron. Frank Sadliek, past president of the San Francisco Chapter, HAMC, designed the official "Deathshead" insignia. Arvid Olsen died 16 May 1974 in Point Clear, Alabama. Source:
hells-angels-germany.de Hells Angels and the scull logo ® are owned by Hells Angels Motorcycle Corporation, registered in Liechtenstein and many other countries. All logos, images and designs are trademark protected ™ and protected according to international law. Copying and any other use in strictly prohibited. Source:
hellsangels.

Don't know if this article helps, but it looks like sculls as a logo of sorts, must have been started by the Angels.

D

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RichLockyer

· #11 · Dec 21, 2007

A lot of old-time MC tradition is based in "shocking" the general public.
Bikers were looked at as outlaws, and since they rode bikes, as having a deathwish. Rather than fight the image, they embraced it.
The symbolism is not unlike other things that (thankfully) have not spread into the mainstream, such as 1%er greeting their brothers with a kiss on the lips. Mainstream has limited this to the hug.

David Madden

· #12 · Dec 21, 2007

RichLockyer said:
A lot of old-time MC tradition is based in "shocking" the general public.
Bikers were looked at as outlaws, and since they rode bikes, as having a deathwish. Rather than fight the image, they embraced it.
The symbolism is not unlike other things that (thankfully) have not spread into the mainstream, such as 1%er greeting their brothers with a kiss on the lips. Mainstream has limited this to the hug.

Ah hell, come on Rich, give us a little pucker:mrgreen:

D

RichLockyer

· #13 · Dec 21, 2007

David Madden said:
Ah hell, come on Rich, give us a little pucker:mrgreen:

NFW.
Hugs is all you get unless you're female... then you get one on the cheek unless you're in my club.

Frenchy

· #14 · Dec 21, 2007

I don't know what I would think if I saw to skull cladden bikers embrace in a kiss.

I'd probably think I just walked into the wrong type of bar...for me.

davidcl

· #15 · Dec 21, 2007

not that there's anything wrong with it!!

David Madden

· #16 · Dec 21, 2007

RichLockyer said:
NFW.
Hugs is all you get unless you're female... then you get one on the cheek unless you're in my club.

We greet each other with a kind of half hand shake, half hug. But I'm sure the kiss thing is a respect thing.

D

03 Meanie Man

· #17 · Dec 21, 2007

I think it comes from pirates...aaargh, matey!

2WheelFun

· #18 · Dec 21, 2007

03 Meanie Man said:
I think it comes from pirates...aaargh, matey!

Aye Matey...it's all the pirates falt...and their birds too!!!

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Aifwikir

· #19 · Dec 21, 2007

I've been thinking about doing my own theme on my bike. I haven't been able to decide but I do have it narrowed down to 2 different ones.

Nude Gumby
Or
Evil Rockie & Bullwinkle

I can't decide between them.

Aif

NCDave

· #20 · Dec 21, 2007

RichLockyer said:
NFW.
Hugs is all you get unless you're female... then you get one on the cheek unless you're in my club.

It's good we're getting those poser patches then so we'll know who to kiss and who not to! :biggrin:

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