The original Asphalt Aviators Motorcycle Club was started with the help of Frank Smith Jr. in the early 1950’s.  After his U. S. Army tour of Korea.  In those days there was no patch.  Every one wore a single rocker of black on white that said Asphalt Aviators.  The days of white T-shirts with the cigarettes rolled up in the sleeve, and jeans with the cuff.  He was the only child of Frank and Ruby Smith of Brownwood Texas. He married Ann and they had one daughter, Mary Cathleen Smith.  Frank was killed on March 8, 1959. He crashed his yellow pan head into a tree that still bears the scars in the Brownwood Texas Riverside Park.  Soon afterward, the club died.

Frank’s daughter was born after his death. In 1979 his daughter, who goes by Lynn, and her husband Dennis Smith (an avid rider since 1967 - having learned to ride many years before on his cousins maroon Cushman Eagle) were talking about starting a motorcycle club when she came up with the idea of reviving her fathers old club in his name.  To her husband this was the greatest idea ever.  Dennis was just as old school then as he is now.

 Dennis then kept his eye out for prospective members.  On one of those perfect riding days that Texas has to offer, he saw and flagged over a prospect.  This was not the first one, but one with potential.  They met on several occasions mostly at the Kountry Kitchen Coffee shop.  Dennis thought Bob Stevens (a fellow biker and amateur tattoo artist) was one cool dude.  Honest and a true friend to the end no matter what.  That was something very hard to find in life, a true brother. After several conversations the two of them with the support of Dennis’s wife Lynn  decided to restart the Asphalt Aviators, in the name of fallen brother Frank Smith. If anyone wishes to pay their respects he is buried in the Brownwood at Green Leaf Cemetery. Long may he ride!

First things first, to reactivate the Asphalt Aviators Dennis and Bob decided they should be true blood brothers.  So in the Kountry Kitchen in the second booth on the right with Bob facing north and Dennis facing south - they each cut their left wrist and held them together swearing allegiance to each other with honor and honesty forever.  They swore that no matter what was to come they will always wear the Asphalt Aviators colors, that their membership was dues free and for life. That it could not be taken away for any reason was their first binding and unchangeable law. 

Now they needed a set of colors. Not knowing what the original colors looked like, they put their heads together with Lynn.  They searched for the original U.S. Army Air Core insignia.  Then with his artistic tattoo mind, Bob he came up with the center.  At that time not wanting to offend any other clubs claming territory they chose to list as nomads. 

Dennis was a part time photographer at the time and he explained to Bob how to copyright the patch.  Bob found an embroider who made up the first two sets of colors, which they both wore very proudly every time they rode. 

Everyone in the small town of Brownwood Texas who rode a Harley Davidson wanted to ride with the Asphalt Aviators Motor Cycle Club.  It started to grow. Meetings were held in living rooms and garages.  Dennis did not want to be president but preferred to be road captain to plan all their trips. Bob became the president.  On their first real run, which started at Dennis’ house, things quickly turned to shit for him. As he and Bob led the group of roaring Harley Davidson’s he blew a hole in his rear piston on his ridged shovel and had to let the group go on while he crippled home. Man that must have sucked but later Dennis was told by someone in the Brownwood Police Department that it sounded like a bombing raid of a squadron of B-17’s. 

Later they were able to locate an abandoned, rundown building to create the Asphalt Aviators MC Club house.  The front porch was a disaster but Al Moore (a friend of Dennis’) furnished the materials and labor to rebuild it.  Curtis Butler, the greatest sign painter in central Texas (everything from billboards to airplanes), painted a sign for the club to mount on the front of the building.  Tiny donated a cast iron wood burning stove and the bricks to go under it.  The pool table was also donated by a new member. So club members and friends got it off to a great start.

Dennis had pitched in a coin operated soft drink machine that they stocked with beer.  It really contributed to the income of the club. The original bathroom was a funnel and a hose on the back porch. You’ve got to start somewhere. It was some time ago, but thanks to Dennis, Lyn and Bob the Asphalt Aviators rode again.  Dennis (Capt. D) and his present wife Elizabeth, worked together to keep the Asphalt Aviators surviving.  By the way she has her own Harley that she is learning to do her own wrenching on.

Asphalt Aviators MC revised the by-laws 02/09, and moved the mother chapter from Brownwood to Grimes County Texas.

The Asphalt Aviators Patch was changed.  Those that no longer ride with the club turn in your patch. Or we do that thing to get it.

The Asphalt Aviators are now located  in Grimes County and continue to flourish against all odds.  We are an old school club, believing in the old school ways allowing for the fact the 70's are gone.  Most of us ride old school Harleys.  Because we can fix them ourselves even if it's on the side of the road.  Even though our ladies wear a property of patch, we respect them as well as all other ladies.  They do not attend club business meetings, but are there during other events and parties.  We have our own bike shop and campground for parties and events. 

The Club Was Officially Closed Down May 4, 2010 10:30 P.M.

Ride forever Frank Smith Jr.!