History
Club Creation
This club was created to do 3 things. It was created to party & have fun! And also to create a brotherhood.
Original Members
The Detroit Renegades founding members are: Joe Weiner, Herbie Lewis, Art Kurgin, Pete & Danny Carroll, and Ishmael Fugat (Curly). With special recognition to Reed Brown. although not a member, he helped out a lot.
Our Colors
Our club colors are the representation of a rider on a motorcycle . The view represents the rider creating flames. The color of gold was chosen as it was unique and highly visible from a distance. The first Renegade vest was made at the Plum Street Head shop. It was Located off of Grand River Ave. This was a club hang-out at the time. Leather was decided as the first choice for the vest. We have the colors cut into the leather and then they are painted by the new member. That was how it was done during the founding of the club, that’s how it is done now. Some have asked why our top rocker is our city and the bottom is the name. The founders decided they wanted to be different from other clubs and decided to swap them. This is another reason for the cut and painted vests, Very few clubs to this and as things go, very little has changed in over 50 + years. The colors Black and gold were chosen for dark and fidelity respectivly.
an interesting and rare photo was found among the archives.
There is a reason for the rider being upside down. This was the “Goof Of The Week” patch. This jacket was worn when you messed up. When it was given to a brother, he wore it and passed it on until the next guy screwed up. This practice ran until 1969 when a member tossed it into a fire and deemed it disrespectful to the patch being upside down. Needless to say, this is no longer used and an armband with a Renegade “R” is now put into practice.
The Dress Shirt and the T-shirt with the RENEGADE cross.
Unlike many clubs who honor their fallen brothers with several small patches, Renegades wear a golden cross on the front left pocket or left arm (close to the heart) as a tribute to all the departed Renegades. This cross can be seen on the tributes page.
Original Clubhouses
1961 (October - December): 8 Mile & Walton.
7 Mile & Woodward.
Highland Park.
Hamtramck.
John R between 6 & 7 Mile Roads: Wessel Gun Shop Building.
1964: Between 6 and 7 mile on Louisiana. In a shop ran by Gypsy Greg.
6 Mile Rd between Davison & Mound - In the Caravan Bar by Vic’s Radiator Shop.
1965: Dequindre Inn was used until 11 members purchased the current 8 Mile property. This property was originally the “G & S Truck Stop & Restaurant”. The Detroit Renegades have called it home ever since.
Here is an original photo of the 8 mile property in 1972’s.
1967-1968: First licensed Motorcycle Clubhouse in the state of Michigan.
1965 and forever…. Still the original on 8 mile.
Detroit Federation of Motorcycle Clubs.
The Detroit Renegades have been a part of the Detroit Federation of Motorcycle clubs since 1974 and have headed the Federation for over 20 years. The Federation provides a camaraderie between the clubs, by attending eachothers events and helps to raise funds for the less fortunate during the holidays.
Addition Of Chapters.
The Golden Eagles M/C.
The Golden Eagles M/C was founded in 1962 by the BeeBee Brothers in Pontiac, MI. The club was originally started as an A.M.A. (American Motorcycle Association) Club. The members at the time raced their bikes at a dirt track in Hadley, MI. The Golden Eagles originally met at a place called, “Dick’s”. This was a friend of the club that allowed use of his garage. He was not a member at the time, but joined later. The Golden Eagles chapters included Pontiac, Skidway Lake, Imlay City and Lima, OH. Later, The Golden Eagles adopted by-laws, a constitution, and also mandated no Japanese motorcycles. Later, a permanent clubhouse was purchased, location at 45551 Woodward Ave in Pontiac, MI. The clubhouse Purchased in March of 1993. After extensive renovations by the members, it opened on Labor day weekend of that same year.
The Golden Eagles M/C joined the Detroit Federation of Motorcycle clubs in the late 1980’s. In the late 90’s, The Golden Eagles entered into a brotherhood with the Detroit Renegades. The original brotherhood patch was designed by brothers, Bronco Billy and Turtle. The Golden Eagles held this brotherhood with the Detroit Renegades for nearly 3 years before it was decided the Golden Eagles M/C would desolve and become Detroit Renegades. This merger decision was made due to the brotherhood patch and close knit bond between The Golden Eagles and Detroit Renegades. This merger created the “Pontiac” or “Woodward” Chapter as it is now known.
Mid Michigan
The Mid- Michigan chapter was created in 2005 in Coleman, MI at the Double Deuce Bar. Members from both 8 Mile and Woodward Chapters were living in the Coleman/Mt. Pleasant area at the time. Since the members lived in the area it made sense to create another Chapter. Shortly there after, delegates were sent from Woodward and 8 Mile clubhoueses to help with the formation of the new chapter.
St. Clair Crew
We have added another chapter to the Renegade family. Located in St. Clair County, the St. Clair crew patched over in November 2010.
Sanilac County
Sanilac county chapter has been added and continues to grow.
Please, if you have any information to add here or even see some as inaccurate, LET US KNOW. drop us an email, info@detroitrenegades.com