Boozefighters Canada

The largest Boozefighter party in Canada for 2008 was held the first weekend of August.  Participants arrived by motorcycle, car, truck, boat and plane.  Chapters from across Ontario, the mid-west, the south east and north east U.S. were represented. Pictures taken by Chapter 12, Chapter 23 and Chapter 77 can be viewed here.

Pictures taken by Chapter 23 can be viewed here.

Pictures taken by Chapter 23 and Chapter 77 can be viewed here.
*** New pictures added August 5th, 2008. ***

 

In memoriam
Gil Armas 1920-2008
One of the “Original Wild Ones”

By Bill Hayes (Published with the author’s permission.)

I was up in the rural roughness of Auburn, California, several years ago when I met Gil Armas for the first time. The setting was rough, a bit primitive and completely natural; the perfect backdrop to hear Gil’s tales of the “old days”.

But these weren’t the tales of just any “old days.” No. They were vivid and wild remembrances of just what it took to build and give a fast-lane birth to this lifestyle back in the 1940s.

With his perpetual smile, Gil was reliving the time when he and another biker pioneer named C.B. Clausen decided—on the spur of a two-wheeled moment—to head out from Los Angeles to Daytona. No plans. No money. No cares. No worries. Just that no-rules desire to have fun in an era that still allowed a wide swing of freedom—a freedom that was preserved through the American blood that spilled all around them during World War II.

After the war, Gil Armas found himself in the “always-interesting” company of the legendary “Wino Willie” Forkner and his Boozefighters Motorcycle Club—the “original wild ones.” Gil was there in Hollister in 1947 when this way of life was truly born. He is in some of the most widely publicized photos of that famous 4th of July weekend. He made one of those “slightly infamous” rides through the front door of Johnny’s Bar. He helped to develop the principle of the stroker motor. He was indeed a true pioneer and a genuine legend.

Once described as being like “a rascally kid with a grin and a secret,” Gil had the warm ability to not only tell a story—he brought you into it. He allowed you to live it, too. He rode you back in time. He made you see what the roots of “all this” really were about. As you listened, you felt as if you were actually riding with him and C.B. on those rat rigids all the way to Daytona; hustling money by racing the locals at every bar and roadhouse they came to. You could party for a week with him and Wino and the rest of the Boozefighters. You could hang out at the old “Big A” bar.

Listen.

No cares. No worries.

Just have fun.

Gil Armas will be much more than merely missed. There is now another empty saddle in the row of Flatheads and Knuckles that rolled those “originals” from L.A. to Hollister and into the soul of the American biker. An enormously important part of who we all are is now gone.

Rest in peace, Gil.

Much love. Much respect.

Pictures taken by Chapter 23 can be viewed here.
*** New pictures added August 5th, 2008. ***

My Brother and good friend, Bud, was killed last night by an inebriated driver who crossed over a median on a highway to hit him head-on. Bud and I went from Prospects to Patches together and I really loved the dude. He was killed on his bike as he was riding to meet up with other members from Chapter #67. They got the word and rushed to the hospital but it was already over, Bud was gone.

I first met Bud as we prospected the ’07 Mardi Gras Party together in Mississippi. Bud worked hard with me that night and we both knew we’d see each other a lot in the future because we took an instant liking to each other. I recently talked to him because I was sorry I missed going to the National and wasn’t going to see him – he understood. Circumstances sometimes prevent us from doing what we want but never miss an opportunity to see a Brother because it just might be your last.

FX
Chapter 12

Condolences to Bud’s family and brothers from Chapter 23.

Pictures taken by Chapter 23 can be viewed here.

Pictures taken by Chapter 23 can be viewed here.
*** New pictures added June 1st, 2008. ***

To all our Brothers,

On Friday June 13th Port Dover, Ontario will host Canada’s largest biker bash!

Weather permitting this small Lake Erie town of 5500 could host as many as 250,000 bikers!

BFMC Chapter 23 would like to invite as many Boozefighters as possible to come and support this event.

Every street in Port Dover will be closed to car traffic and taken over by bikes, bikers, vendors, bands, beer tents and everything else you could imagine! It is an event that is well worth the trip! There are also many other Motorcycle Clubs from all over North America in regular attendance.

Our goal is to have one massive Boozefighter party and to increase the awareness of our great Motorcycle Club in Canada!

Don’t let a couple of thousand miles hold you back – you know the Canadians wouldn’t!

To our brothers in New York, Michigan and Ohio – we’re right across the river or the lake and only a day trip away, eh!

For more information please email WhiskyJim23 AT hotmail.com.

Love and Respect,
Whisky Jim
BFMC 23

Click HERE to visit the official PD13 Web site.

Charter Holder and President of Chapter 58 in Texas – Mike ‘Buck’ Buckley – was killed in a motorcycle accident Sunday. The wake and funeral will take place at the Neal Funeral Home 200 South Washington Avenue Cleveland, Texas. The wake will be held on Friday April 25th starting at 9:00am. Funeral services will be on Saturday April 26th at 12:00 noon.

Below is a recent picture of Buck with Sweet Pea taken at Buck’s Club House. They are holding an unopened original three star bottle of cognac.

Condolences to Buck’s family and brothers from Chapter 23.