This is the first in a series of three articles I am doing on the works of Jim Miteff. He took hundreds of photographs of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club during the late 1960's and was also a founding member of the Detroit Chapter. In recent years, his daughter Beverly Roberts has put together two books of his photographs with a third due out this summer. She has been kind enough to provide photographs and background information for each of the articles.



Portraits of American Bikers: Life in the 1960s

 

That looks like it would be a good companion to The Bikeriders by Danny Lyon. Are you familiar with that book?

 

I did an article on it a little while back:

http://www.ridingvintage.com/2013/03...f-outlaws.html

Both books are great, but I prefer the larger photographs in the Miteff book. Especially when looking at details on the bikes.

 

Here's a couple pics from last summer. Sorry, I won't post faces.

 

Nice. I own the Lyon book, and I'll see about picking this one up.

 

Great pictures and narrative. I love that old stuff. Thanks for sharing.

 

Wow, this one ............. !?

 

Yea, had to do a triple take on that one! LOL

 

Comments about this pic simply proves how far the newer generation riders have taken homophobic ideals into the world of motorcycles.

50s-70s No one thought that much about giving a guy a lift on the back of his bike, to a gas station, to the store for a case of beer or food (no bags), or pick up his bike from the shop.

 

Nothing to do with two guys on a bike. More like it looks like he's giving the other guy a reach-around. LOL