In 1965, Bill Ray spent several weeks documenting the daily activities of the San Bernardino chapter of the Hells Angels. He followed the group as they traveled through the dry and dusty regions of Southern California. The members rode Harley-Davidson motorcycles that they modified with tall handlebars and long front forks. These machines were extremely loud and required constant maintenance to stay on the road. Club members often stopped on the side of the highway to perform mechanical repairs using basic hand tools. For these men, their motorcycles were more important than any other physical object they owned.
The appearance of the Hells Angels in 1965 was distinct and recognizable. Members wore denim or leather vests, which they called “cuts.” The back of these vests featured the “Death Head” logo, a winged skull wearing a motorcycle helmet. They also wore patches that identified them as “one-percenters.” This term originated from a claim that 99 percent of motorcycle riders were law-abiding citizens. The Hells Angels used the label to show they lived outside the rules of normal society. Their hair and beards were often long and unkempt, which stood in contrast to the clean-cut styles of the era.
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The daily lives of the members centered on the road and local taverns. Bill Ray captured the group drinking Coors beer and playing pool in dimly lit bars in towns like Fontana. The atmosphere in these places was often tense when the club arrived in large numbers. Police officers followed the group whenever they moved between cities to monitor their behavior. The club traveled in tight formations that could take up an entire lane of the highway. The lead rider set the pace while the rest of the members followed in a specific order based on their rank in the chapter.
Women played a specific role in the club’s social structure during this time. Known as “Old Ladies,” they frequently traveled on the back of the motorcycles during long runs. They wore denim jackets that matched the style of the men and often had the names of their partners embroidered on their clothing. During overnight stops, the group slept on the ground in open fields or on the wooden floors of their clubhouses. They did not use tents or traditional camping equipment.
