1960s Photos of the Notorious Hells Angels Biker Gang in California

In 1965, the Hells Angels were little known outside the American West and photographer Bill Ray spent weeks photographing and traveling with the San Bernardino chapter of a gang, in Southern California, that would later become notorious for its hedonistic, lawless swagger.

The Hells Angels’s motto encapsulates how society sees them. They are famous for riding their Harley-Davidson motorcycles and wearing cut offs with the Hells Angels insignia. Also the motorcycle gang would later became associated with organized crime.

“This was a new breed of rebel,” Bill Ray told LIFE. “They didn’t have jobs. They absolutely despised everything that most Americans value and strive for — stability, security. They rode their bikes, hung out in bars for days at a time, fought with anyone who messed with them. They were self-contained, with their own set of rules, their own code of behavior. It was extraordinary to be around.”

Here are some of the photos taken by Bill Ray:

Members of the Hells Angels ride from San Bernardino to Bakersfield, California. 1965.

A Hells Angels biker pops a wheelie while cruising through downtown Bakersfield, California. 1965.

A Hells Angels member enjoys a risky ride near Bakersfield, California. 1965.

A member of the Hells Angels shows off his tattoo while hanging out with other members. Circa 1960s.

Members of the East Bay Dragons, one of the first all-black motorcycle clubs, pose outside a barbecue joint near Oakland, California. Circa 1970s.

Hells Angels' old ladies (girlfriends) sit during a rest stop on the group's ride from San Bernardino to Bakersfield, California. 1965.

A Hells Angels member's old lady (girlfriend) flips the bird while riding on the back of her man's bike en route to Bakersfield, California. 1965.

An LA County Sheriff searches a Hells Angels' member for illegal items during a ride from San Bernardino to Bakersfield, California. 1965.

Members of the NYC Hells Angels chapter gather near their Lower East Side clubhouse at the funeral of one of their members, Jeffrey "Groover" Coffrey, killed during a fight with another gang in Cleveland. March 11, 1971.

Oakland Hells Angels founder Sonny Barger (left) hangs out with four other members on the set of the film Hells Angels '69, in which some members played themselves. 1969.

A police officer questions a group of the Satan's Slaves members during a ride through California. Date unspecified.

A Hells Angels member works on his bike on the streets of New York. Circa 1970s.

A bearded Hells Angel waves from his bike as he and other members ride toward Bakersfield, California. 1965.

FBI agents keep lookout outside of the Hells Angels clubhouse on East 3rd Street in Manhattan following a raid. May 2, 1985.

Members of the Gypsy Jokers pay their respects to member Stanley "Bimbo" Simmons, who died in a traffic accident in Sydney, Australia. April 17, 1975.

Members of the Gypsy Jokers raise their fists as the casket of one of their members is carried out of a church in Sydney, Australia. March 11, 1974.

Outside the Blackboard Cafe at night, Bakersfield, Calif., 1965.

A sheriff’s officer keeps an eye on the proceedings outside a bar that the Hells Angels have made their headquarters-away-from-home during their San Bernardino-to-Bakersfield run, 1965.