Apr 08 Spotlight
APRIL 2008
Spotlight of the Month
FLYING PANTHERS
Franklin, KY
Franklin, KY
The Flying Panther Motorcycle Club is made up of family and trusted friends, with members residing in various cities and states. It is noted on their website that their club history remains an untold story but a few things are known without a doubt. They take care of their own. They are family – hard core, and brotherhood is their way, their life.
The Flying Panther Motorcycle Club was founded and established in Franklin, Kentucky in 1973 by Big Nick, who now serves as the National President, and his brother, Chickenman. The brothers wanted to form an organization that would “protect its own” due to the intense racial tension that existed during that era. Their organization was born as a motorcycle club because of the brothers’ extreme fascination with motorcycles. They wanted their club to help other black people and they did so by donating money to churches and to kids who lived in their community.
Theirs is a club of rarity because it has been in existence for over thirty (30) years. That is a long time and of course the club has grown throughout the years. In addition to the mother chapter which is located in Franklin, Kentucky, there are chapters in Louisville, Kentucky; Nashville, Tennessee; Chicago, Illinois; Cleveland, Ohio (Big Nick’s hometown); and Clarksville, Tennessee.
When asked, “How many members are in your club?” Big Nick replied, “We don’t count members. We are a family and I don’t count my family.”
This club may not be as well known as some of the newer clubs you see around but we as a motorcycle community should take the initiative to familiarize ourselves with the “old-school” clubs. They have maintained in a world where the average life span for a club is only five (5) years. The Flying Panthers are not affiliated with any other club. They stand on their own. They want to see the younger generation of motorcycle clubs raise money and donate to their local churches, boys and girls clubs, and etc. Most importantly, the club thinks it is important for young riders and young members of clubs to know and understand the history of motorcycle clubs and the history of motorcycles in general. Big Nick inquired if I had ever heard of Bessie Stringfield. I have. If you are not familiar with her name and what she accomplished in her lifetime, you can read about her by visiting the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.
Speaking of history, there is significance behind the name Flying Panther and the club’s patch. The name “panther” was chosen because the panther is a powerful and strong animal that is known for protecting and taking care of its family. The club’s patch shows a panther with wings on it. The wings signify those of a guardian angel watching over the club and its members. So you have the panther with wings, hence, a “flying panther”.
The Flying Panther Motorcycle Club was founded and established in Franklin, Kentucky in 1973 by Big Nick, who now serves as the National President, and his brother, Chickenman. The brothers wanted to form an organization that would “protect its own” due to the intense racial tension that existed during that era. Their organization was born as a motorcycle club because of the brothers’ extreme fascination with motorcycles. They wanted their club to help other black people and they did so by donating money to churches and to kids who lived in their community.
Theirs is a club of rarity because it has been in existence for over thirty (30) years. That is a long time and of course the club has grown throughout the years. In addition to the mother chapter which is located in Franklin, Kentucky, there are chapters in Louisville, Kentucky; Nashville, Tennessee; Chicago, Illinois; Cleveland, Ohio (Big Nick’s hometown); and Clarksville, Tennessee.
When asked, “How many members are in your club?” Big Nick replied, “We don’t count members. We are a family and I don’t count my family.”
This club may not be as well known as some of the newer clubs you see around but we as a motorcycle community should take the initiative to familiarize ourselves with the “old-school” clubs. They have maintained in a world where the average life span for a club is only five (5) years. The Flying Panthers are not affiliated with any other club. They stand on their own. They want to see the younger generation of motorcycle clubs raise money and donate to their local churches, boys and girls clubs, and etc. Most importantly, the club thinks it is important for young riders and young members of clubs to know and understand the history of motorcycle clubs and the history of motorcycles in general. Big Nick inquired if I had ever heard of Bessie Stringfield. I have. If you are not familiar with her name and what she accomplished in her lifetime, you can read about her by visiting the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.
Speaking of history, there is significance behind the name Flying Panther and the club’s patch. The name “panther” was chosen because the panther is a powerful and strong animal that is known for protecting and taking care of its family. The club’s patch shows a panther with wings on it. The wings signify those of a guardian angel watching over the club and its members. So you have the panther with wings, hence, a “flying panther”.
The club is an all-male club and you have to own a motorcycle in order to become a member. There is a probationary or “prospect” period that potential members must complete before earning their patch. The females in the club are related to the male members in some kind of way, whether they are wives, girlfriends, sisters, or just good friends of a male member. The women are avid and strong supporters of the club.
The club has retained the majority of their members throughout the years and also enjoys having new, younger members included in the current family. With a diverse mix of generations, the club participates in many different events, from attending the National Round-Up annually (Big Nick has only missed one round-up since its inception in 1977!), to attending other club’s cabarets. Members also own and operate different types of motorcycles. Some of the bikes owned by members include cruisers, sportbikes, and Harley-Davidsons. Thanks to the longevity of the club there are many, many fond memories associated with being a member. On the flip side, also due to the longevity of the club, many members have passed on throughout the years and Big Nick stated that this has been the hardest aspect of the club to deal with.
I asked Big Nick what did he feel was a club President’s most important responsibility or task and he replied, “Keeping everyone together.” Considering that this club has been a family for 34 years, he is doing an incredible job tackling what he thinks is most important! The club also believes in the future and knows that they are here to stay. They make a strong commitment to children and investing in their well-being because they know that the children of today are who will be the members of clubs tomorrow.
Our “old-school” clubs who have survived for so long not only deserve our admiration but also our respect. When you see a member of a club that has been around for a long time, show them love, talk to them, find out the club’s history. Our elders are one of our best sources for knowledge and teaching. Yes, all of this existed before we came along. Big Nick is a 62 year old man who has experienced a great deal on this motorcycle scene. If you are able to, make your way to Franklin, Kentucky on April 18th and 19th for the Flying Panther Spring Breakout or August 8th and 9th for their 34th Anniversary Party. Make the trip well worth your while by not only enjoying the good food, drinks, and party but also by engaging with the people you encounter there. Sit down and talk to some of the older members and learn some history!
Learn more about the Flying Panthers by visiting their website at www.flyingpanthers.com.
The club has retained the majority of their members throughout the years and also enjoys having new, younger members included in the current family. With a diverse mix of generations, the club participates in many different events, from attending the National Round-Up annually (Big Nick has only missed one round-up since its inception in 1977!), to attending other club’s cabarets. Members also own and operate different types of motorcycles. Some of the bikes owned by members include cruisers, sportbikes, and Harley-Davidsons. Thanks to the longevity of the club there are many, many fond memories associated with being a member. On the flip side, also due to the longevity of the club, many members have passed on throughout the years and Big Nick stated that this has been the hardest aspect of the club to deal with.
I asked Big Nick what did he feel was a club President’s most important responsibility or task and he replied, “Keeping everyone together.” Considering that this club has been a family for 34 years, he is doing an incredible job tackling what he thinks is most important! The club also believes in the future and knows that they are here to stay. They make a strong commitment to children and investing in their well-being because they know that the children of today are who will be the members of clubs tomorrow.
Our “old-school” clubs who have survived for so long not only deserve our admiration but also our respect. When you see a member of a club that has been around for a long time, show them love, talk to them, find out the club’s history. Our elders are one of our best sources for knowledge and teaching. Yes, all of this existed before we came along. Big Nick is a 62 year old man who has experienced a great deal on this motorcycle scene. If you are able to, make your way to Franklin, Kentucky on April 18th and 19th for the Flying Panther Spring Breakout or August 8th and 9th for their 34th Anniversary Party. Make the trip well worth your while by not only enjoying the good food, drinks, and party but also by engaging with the people you encounter there. Sit down and talk to some of the older members and learn some history!
Learn more about the Flying Panthers by visiting their website at www.flyingpanthers.com.
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