When thunder rolls down the highway, it’s not always the weather – sometimes it’s the Sons of Silence making their presence known. Founded in 1966 in Colorado Springs this legendary motorcycle club has grown from a small group of passionate riders into one of America’s most prominent outlaw motorcycle clubs.
The Sons of Silence aren’t your average weekend warriors hitting the open road. With their distinctive black and gray colors and their motto “Donec Mors Non Separat” (Until Death Separates), they’ve carved out their place in motorcycle club history alongside other notorious groups. While they maintain a strong presence across the United States and even parts of Europe their story remains shrouded in mystery and intrigue.
Sons of Silence Motorcycle Club
The Sons of Silence Motorcycle Club emerged in 1966 as a distinctive brotherhood on the streets of Colorado Springs. Their establishment marked a significant chapter in American motorcycle club history.
Founding in Colorado Springs
Bruce “The Bull” Richardson established the Sons of Silence MC at a local Colorado Springs motorcycle shop in 1966. The club’s initial chapter formed with 13 founding members who shared a passion for motorcycles. Richardson chose black and gray as the club’s colors, creating their iconic patch design featuring a skull wearing an American helmeted skull. Their motto “Donec Mors Non Separat” reflects the deep commitment among members. The founding location at 15 North Hancock Avenue became a historic landmark in motorcycle club culture.
Early Years and Growth
The Sons of Silence expanded rapidly throughout Colorado during their first five years. By 1971, the club established chapters in Denver, Fort Collins Colorado Springs. The organization gained recognition among motorcycle enthusiasts for their strict membership requirements and disciplined structure. Their influence spread across state lines into Kansas Minnesota during the mid-1970s. The club developed a reputation for maintaining strong territorial presence through organized chapter systems. European expansion began in the 1990s when the first German chapter formed, marking their evolution into an international organization.
Club Structure and Organization
The Sons of Silence operates through a hierarchical system with clearly defined roles and responsibilities. The organization maintains strict protocols for chapter operations and membership advancement.
Chapter Hierarchy
Each Sons of Silence chapter follows a standardized leadership structure. The President oversees chapter operations while the Vice President manages daily activities. A Sergeant at Arms enforces club rules and maintains discipline during meetings. The Secretary handles administrative duties including record-keeping and communication between chapters. The Treasurer manages financial matters including membership dues and event funding. Road Captains coordinate group rides and ensure rider safety during club events.
| Leadership Position | Primary Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| President | Chapter oversight and decision-making |
| Vice President | Daily operations management |
| Sergeant at Arms | Security and discipline |
| Secretary | Records and communications |
| Treasurer | Financial management |
| Road Captain | Ride coordination and safety |
Membership Requirements
The Sons of Silence enforces specific criteria for prospective members. Candidates start as “hangarounds” for 3-6 months before advancing to prospect status. Prospects undergo a 12-month evaluation period demonstrating loyalty dedication and riding proficiency. Full membership requires:
- Ownership of an American-made motorcycle 1000cc or larger
- Valid motorcycle license with clean driving record
- Sponsorship by existing full-patch members
- Completion of prospect period with unanimous member approval
- Regular attendance at chapter meetings and events
- Payment of monthly dues and membership fees
Patch members display the club’s colors consisting of a three-piece back patch. The top rocker shows “Sons of Silence” the center patch features their signature skull design the bottom rocker indicates territory.
Colors and Insignia
The Sons of Silence MC displays distinctive black gray colors featuring a three-piece patch set on their vests. These colors represent their identity mark their territory within the motorcycle club community.
Meaning Behind the Patches
The three-piece patch set consists of a top rocker displaying “SONS OF SILENCE” a bottom rocker indicating the territory or state a center patch featuring their iconic skull emblem. Full members earn the right to wear these patches after completing their prospect period receiving unanimous approval. The skull emblem wears an American military-style helmet symbolizes the club’s patriotic roots connection to veterans. Members display additional patches indicating their rank status position within the organization such as President Vice President Sergeant at Arms.
Club Motto and Symbols
The Latin phrase “Donec Mors Non Separat” (Until Death Separates) serves as the club’s official motto reflects their commitment to brotherhood loyalty. Their symbolism incorporates American military imagery including the helmeted skull eagle motifs emphasizing their patriotic values. The club utilizes specific numerical symbols: 7 represents G (seventh letter) 19 represents S (nineteenth letter) forming their code “God Speed.” Additional symbolic elements include the MC diamond patch recognized by the American Motorcyclist Association wings signifying membership duration achievement levels.
Notable Activities and Territory
The Sons of Silence motorcycle club maintains a significant presence across multiple states in America plus international chapters. Their territorial expansion reflects their growth from a regional club to a global organization.
Presence Across United States
The Sons of Silence holds chapters in 12 states, with Colorado remaining their primary stronghold since 1966. Their territory spans from Minnesota to Florida, encompassing major chapters in Kansas, Illinois, Arkansas, Kentucky, Florida, North Dakota, South Dakota, Arizona, Iowa plus Indiana. The club operates through a network of established clubhouses, with each chapter controlling specific geographic areas. Colorado hosts 8 active chapters, making it the densest concentration of Sons of Silence presence in the United States. Major metropolitan areas like Denver, Colorado Springs plus Minneapolis serve as strategic hubs for club operations.
International Chapters
The Sons of Silence expanded internationally in 1998, establishing their first overseas chapter in Munich, Germany. European chapters now operate in Germany, Belgium plus Italy, with 5 active chapters across these countries. The German presence includes chapters in Munich, Stuttgart plus Hamburg. Belgian chapters maintain strongholds in Antwerp plus Brussels. Each international chapter adheres to the same organizational structure plus protocols established by the American mother chapter while operating within local laws. International members participate in cross-border events plus maintain regular communication with U.S. chapters through organized meetings.
Relationships With Other Motorcycle Clubs
The Sons of Silence maintains complex relationships within the motorcycle club community through established alliances and documented rivalries. These connections shape their territorial dynamics and influence their operations across different regions.
Alliances and Rivalries
The Sons of Silence holds strong ties with the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, participating in joint events and sharing territorial agreements. Their alliance network extends to several support clubs including the Iron Horsemen and Bandidos in specific regions. Documented tensions exist between Sons of Silence and rival clubs such as the Outlaws MC, particularly in midwestern territories where their paths intersect. The club’s relationship with law enforcement remains strained due to various confrontations in Colorado Illinois Minnesota. Historical conflicts emerged during the 1980s when territorial disputes led to violent encounters with the Pagans MC in eastern states. The Sons of Silence maintains neutral standings with several independent motorcycle clubs through mutual respect agreements focused on territorial boundaries.
| Allied Club | Region of Cooperation | Year Alliance Formed |
|---|---|---|
| Hells Angels | Western United States | 1970s |
| Iron Horsemen | Midwest | 1980s |
| Bandidos | Southern Territories | 1990s |
Modern Era and Legacy
The Sons of Silence Motorcycle Club maintains its position as one of America’s prominent motorcycle organizations in the 21st century. Their influence spans across multiple states with established chapters operating under strict protocols.
Current Status and Influence
The Sons of Silence operates 30 chapters across 12 U.S. states, with Colorado remaining their primary power center. Their active membership exceeds 250 fully patched members, maintaining strong connections between domestic chapters through regular national meets. The club’s international presence includes 5 chapters in Germany, 2 in Belgium, and 1 in Italy, creating a global network of over 350 total members. Their organizational structure mirrors traditional motorcycle club hierarchies, featuring:
- Chapter Presidents coordinate with regional leadership boards
- Regional Officers manage territory-specific operations
- International Representatives facilitate cross-border communications
- Support Club Networks extend influence in secondary markets
The club’s economic interests diversify through:
| Revenue Stream | Percentage of Activity |
|---|---|
| Merchandise Sales | 35% |
| Club Events | 25% |
| Member Dues | 20% |
| Property Management | 20% |
The Sons of Silence maintains relationships with established motorcycle clubs through territorial agreements while expanding their presence in emerging motorcycle communities. Their influence extends beyond traditional club activities into community events motorcycle safety advocacy programs.
The Sons of Silence stands as one of America’s most enduring motorcycle clubs with a rich history spanning over five decades. Their journey from a small Colorado Springs group to an international brotherhood showcases their resilience and organizational prowess.
Today they’ve built a powerful legacy through their distinctive traditions strong leadership structure and unwavering commitment to brotherhood. With hundreds of members across multiple continents the Sons of Silence continues to shape motorcycle club culture while maintaining their core values and territorial presence.
Their story represents more than just a motorcycle club – it’s a testament to the enduring spirit of brotherhood that’s defined outlaw motorcycle culture for generations.
