Manky Monkey Motors

The vast majority of the mass population at large imagine that Bikers and other so-called 'undesirables' and 'social misfits' usually wear black attire to make some kind of social statement. Many think that the adoption of a black wardrobe is done to reflect the horror of Hitler's infamous Schutzstaffel, the SS, who wore black uniforms with lightening bolts and skulls as the units hallmark Others think that black clothes are deliberately adopted to make one look tough and sinister. Where conventional straight society sees white shirts as a sign of success it is supposed that the 'underclass' adopts black in opposition just to be different.

Well it may surprise many, including a lot of bikers, to learn that the adoption of black clothing goes way back in time and has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with social statements. It was just an adaptation to environmental conditions.

People whose trade involved working with 'dirty' machinery wore black (or dark) clothing to hide dirt and grease.

The common term 'blacksmith' referred to a smithy, one who works with metals, and 'black', specifically meaning iron. It was the common practice for smithy's to wear dark clothing to hide the soot, slag and grease deposited on their clothes over the course of their everyday work.

Nothing has changed much over time and even today it is quite common for metal workers to wear wear dark work clothes such as the dark blue and sometimes black worn by maintenance workers in industrial plants.

As the matter of dark clothing relates to bikers who don't do any metal work the practice of dressing 'darkly' was popularized because old motorcycles were notoriously 'dirty' machines slinging oil and grease in all directions when they were ridden so light colored dusters were definitely not the thing to wear on one's bike. In addition it was not uncommon for those who rode motorbikes to be campers and if you've ever spent any extended time camping out you'll no doubt understand that white 'undies' or 'outies' aren't the ideal thing to be wearing for days on end.

Dark clothes are simply a matter of practicality when one works on or operates machinery that generates a lot of oily dirt. It's as simple as that. There is no social statement being made and there never has been except in the minds of those who believe wearing black means something special which it doesn't.

It's just an excuse to not wash your clothes. Interesting.

So the SS were Blacksmiths?
 ;)

I wear black cause it hides(well almost)the bulges!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D

That's contrary to Trini & Suzanna' advice. They say black hides nothing in bright light.

Only go out at night?

Retro you sad muppet Trinny and suzi what do they know? I really wear black  because i can(and it goes with purple)! ;D ;D ;D

I wear black b'coz i can, can't be done with all them fancy power ranger boots n soots.

One of my reasons for being an active mag member is to make sure that we never have to wear hi vis crap on our bikes/trikes freedom of choice and all that. :-\ :-\ :-\ :-\

I wear black b'coz i want to, not b'coz some lobby group are fighting for not to wear day glo.
Anyway black hides the dead bugs somewhat.

But not the cat hairs!!! ;D

Buy a black cat.

I have already got two cats (ginger ones)!

I sometimes wear black but it's a really stupid thing to do when you have a Dalmatian!!!!!!!!

bikers where black cos they now there going to the manky garden clearance :)

then end up black all over! HA HA

Oh the bruises!

I wear Black coz I get's dirty, my mum said I was a dirt magnet, I fink she was right.

it dont show the dirt...... ;)

because they can  ;) ::)