History

The history of the Classels is not unlike many other organizations during their growing stage. The Classels have experienced many ups and downs along the way. One thing learned though was that time, patience, perserverance, dedication and loyalty shall always prevail. That has been the success story of one of the oldest Independent organized FAMILY oriented motorcycle groups in the state of Florida, and the organization that you are considering joining at this time.

In the middle 1960s motorcycling was much different than as we see it today. During that time in South Florida, there were only a few organized clubs. Most were what was referred to as Outlaw Clubs. A lot of strife went out to those who thought there was a better way to genuinely improve the image of motorcycling.

In 1965, a group of motorcyclists in the Miami, FL, area had grown to such a large number, it was difficult to safely ride together in traffic. At this time, leaders of the group met and decided to divide into smaller groups. The Northern groups became known as the NightHawks (no longer in existence) and the Mustangs. The south group left the meeting with neither a name nor an organizational plan. The south group did seek the guidance of Phil Peterson of Peterson's Harley Davidson of Miami, who suggested they were the classiest bikers in Miami, so the group decided to name themselves the Classels.

By 1967, the Classels had conquered the motorcyclist image in South Florida. The Classels had over 150 members, over 200 trophies and set the record for "Most Pints of Blood Donated to Variety Children's Hospital in One Day." That record still holds today.

One school of thought about an organization growing so large is that it tends to decay from within. In the middle 1970s, the Classels went inactive for approximately 10 years due to various changes in the club. In 1988, eight members decided to reorganized and get things rolling again. The group began to grow again, but after a few years, membership again began to dwindle. In 1992, hurricane Andrew wiped out a large portion of South Miami. Many members relocated to places like Melbourne, FL, and Thomasville, GA, with only a few members remaining in South Florida.

In July of 1994, after talking with other motorcyclists who were tired of the politics associated with brand conscious motorcycle organizations, Lee and Phyllis B., Mike and Beck E., Darrel G., and Bob and Jenny C. decided to organize a Non-Sanctioned, Family Oriented Independent motorcyclling organization on the Space Coast. Since Mike & Becky were still members of the Classels from Miami, they suggested, subject to the approval of the remaining Miami members, reorganizing under the name Classels. That was the foundation of the group you see today.