A STORY OF BROTHERHOOD
The Wino’s Crew Motorcycle Club
The history of Wino’s Crew is a story of Brotherhood. Wino Willie Forkner, founder and namesake of the Crew, was a veteran of World War 2. He returned home restless and ready to have some fun, Racing motorcycles was Willie’s fun. He joined a club until his fence busting entry in the El Cajun CA race got him thrown out. Wino always had a good time despite the consequences. It didn’t take him long to find a group of racers that shared his brand of fun. Fatboy Nelson, Dink Burns, George Menker and others joined Wino. They loved racing motorcycles, chasing girls, drinking and a good fistfight, They enjoyed the strong bonds of Brotherhood they first experienced in military service, They raced their bikes and partied hard on the weekends. Eventually, they ran afoul of the American Motorcycle Association. Founded in 1924, the AMA sanctioned races, on and off road, as well as the riders who participated. Apparently, they were the official fun police. They refused to allow a few delinquent degenerate hooligans to ruin the “new” image and increased motorcycle sales they were trying to cultivate. Willie and his buddies fit that description to a T. Wino loved to race motorcycles and did not believe that he should be arbitrarily eliminated from racing by any organization. That was just not American, not why he had gone to war.
The 1947 Gypsy Tour in Hollister California immortalized Wino and his disdain for the “system a photographer’s staged image of the motorcycle madness published by Life Magazine fueled America’s worst fears about bikers” The movie “The Wild One”, starring Marlon Brando and Lee Marvin was loosely based on the misbehavior of Wino and his buddies. The movie, although fictional, summed up Wino’s philosophy with its most famous quote. When asked, “What are you rebelling against?” Marlon Brando replied, “What you got?”
The AMA did not succeed in discouraging this type of behavior, quite the opposite. In response to the Life Magazine story, The AMA issued a statement, 99% of motorcyclists are law abiding citizens. Consequently clubs that saw themselves as outlaws proudly adopted the 1% patch worn to this day. Wino’s group never described themselves as outlaws or one percenters, their club does not wear that patch. Willie and his buddies were bonded by more than the bikes that they rode. They had become family. They regularly hung out in the All American Bar, frequented by a neighborhood drunk, Walt Porter. One night they were discussing a name for their club. Walt spoke out from his spot at the bar. “All you guys do is booze it up and fight, you all are just a bunch of boozefighters.” The name stuck, Walt Porter and his red nose, became the club’s mascot and inspiration for the original clown image. Over the years they worked, raised families and lived their lives, sometimes separated but always as brothers. The legend of Wino Willie and the rest of the original “wild ones” continued to grow.
Gary Rye contacted Wino Willie who lived in California. He had read about Wino and wanted to meet the real men behind the legends. The movie “The Wild Ones” had made their club infamous; he wanted to know what had become of the club. He contacted Wino. It took considerable persuasion to get Wino to sanction a new chapter in Texas. Gary and his friend Doug Barron appealed to Wino’s belief in Brotherhood. They convinced the existing Bfers and original members of their sincerity and a new chapter charter was granted. The number 39 was chosen, Wino had forbidden any chapter to use 69, for obvious reasons.
The club grew under Gary’s Presidency. They found affordable property, in a not very good neighborhood. There were two brick buildings, one of which the members refurbished. The members were a unique group. Some had been members in motorcycle clubs in the past, some were new to club life, and some were new to motorcycle life. The club grew. The members invited both old friends and new to join in the fun.
There were bumps in the road. All organizations have growing pains; the Boozefighters new chapter was no exception. There were strong personalities and power struggles played out just below the surface. Gary, founder and president, retained his original belief in the fundamental purpose of the club, brotherhood. His original partner, Doug and his new sidekick Big John Rogers, now Vice-President, saw the growth and began to dream dollar signs. Big John was a veteran of motorcycle life. In theory he came with a “reputation” and could give credibility to the club. He relished his position as the biggest fish in the pond. He was finally the Big Cheese, no longer in the shadow of the president of his former club. He took full advantage of his power. On those occasions he was at the clubhouse, he held court, a monarch who favored King Henry VIII in girth and disposition. He could be either charming or intimidating without warning. He attempted to use that uncertainty to maintain power. He first observed the technique as Famous Harry’s apprentice, but never mastered it. Ultimately, his need to flaunt his status has made him a ridiculous caricature.
As in most organizations, you have those who participate fully, always can be counted on to do the work associated with parties, club maintenance and other duties as required. Another group will do what they can, willing, but limited by job, family and other circumstances. Then you have the last group, unwilling to participate in planning or execution, but ever present to criticize, second guess and ridicule. the situation was discussed at meetings, more involvement was promised but as always, it was the same few who did the work However, it was those few who had the most fun.
To be continued…………….