The Biker's Wallet Chain 

Had a buddy once who had to relieve himself in a hurry so pulled over, jumped the fence and squatted in the tall grass. Finished up, jumped on his bike and away we went. Everytime we hit a stop sign or a red light he could smell shit lol. Finally realized that he had shit right on his wallet chain. Still tease him about it to this day lol

use a wallet chain so if you get separated from your bike, your wallet stays with your body...that way the ER can get your info if you're unable to talk.

I have always used a chrome dog choker chain. It's hefty and chrome plated, so it doesn't rust easily like some hardware store "bulk" chains. A key ring holds it to the wallet, and I keep a cuff key at the belt end.

I carry my wallet in my front pocket. I learned that technique while living up north near New York. Back in the 70's there were a lot of pickpockets in NYC and my dad who had to go there for work taught me that if you ride in a crowded subway or walk the streets they would never try to take it from your front pocket. It just stuck with me and even today living in Nashville I still do it and have never been picked yet.

a key ring through the grommet works great for years, greetings from austria

I wear a chain drive wallet thick leather, very well made and put a heavy duty chrome chain on. It has a lot of patina from time.

My old man always told me to have one so that if your wallet vibrates out you won't loose it down the road So I've always worn one

Back in highschool I wore the primary drive chain for a belt and used a ford timing chain as my wallet chain! Had a huge skull welded on for a buckle, the whole setup probably weighed half as much as I did back then. It was just my thing, I never dreamed it would evolve into what it is today! Now at 56 I wear a chain made of skulls my son gave me for a birthday in my forties! I grew up wearing a wallet chain and never thought anything of it! It just made sense, nobody can touch my wallet without my knowing it!

I like my biker wallet chain, not necessarily for the coolness factor, but also because I drive a lot and can't stand sitting on my wallet. So I take it out of my pocket and set it to the side. The chain attached to it keeps me from forgetting it. I really enjoy watching your videos, bro, keep up the good work.

A wallet with a chain on it was originally known as a trucker's wallet. Back in the days of old when most business was done in cash truckers would often be responsible for paying for their loads. Which would result in having large amount of cash on their persons hence the chain for security. Apparently along the way a lot of bikers adopted that look because I guess some people thought it was pretty cool looking. Now here's the problem with having a chain wallet especially if you're a southpaw. Years ago I was riding with my buddy who was a lefty and the leather loop that went around his belt to secure his chain came unsnaped which resulted in the chain dangling and eventually getting caught in his chain and sprocket. I don't know if you've ever experienced your rear wheel locking up while doing 60 on the highway but I never saw that guy wearing a chain wallet again after that.

Large dog collar chain works with a brass quick clip used for dogs lol ! Key ring through wallet whole!

I thought that they were originally Trucker Wallets that used to be Teamster wallets. The teamsters would be hauling goods across America on their buckboards and it kept the wallet from wiggling out and falling on the ground on the Organ trail somewhere. Then when mechanized trucks came along the guys kept the wallet and got rid of the horses. When Bikers came along they adopted the wallet and chain for the same reason the teamsters used them. To make sure the wallet didn't vibrate out on a ride half way across the US somewhere.

In the late 60's they were called a truck drivers safety wallet. The chain was for climbing in & out of the truck you would loose your wallet. The spring clip was for keys. I never knew about the chain being used as a weapon, makes sense. Thanks for sharing I just learned something new.

Went on a ride with family in the mountains yesterday. The leaves are beautiful. My leather wallet is about due for a replacement. The chain is long-since misplaced.

Another good story Itchy, thanks and blessing to you and Vee.

Hello Itchy, It was seeing yours the other day that got me to go to the hardware store and bot some heavier chain, 1/8 inch thick links thru the leather piece I used a spike, still has the head on it, well with a good vice and a mappgas torch and a grinder. . . Yup I hadda grind down enough chain to pass thru the wallets grommet. So thanks again. love ur vidz.

I've always carried my wallet in my front pocket for 2 reasons. One you'll have fun trying to pick pocket me and 2, I'm not sitting on it whereas I'm less comfortable. Pity the man who'd try to take it off me especially if I would have chain attached to it while being in my front pocket. So good to hear about Vee's recovery, God bless !

Was riding west on 17-92 heading home from Daytona late one night and my slightly inebriated lady started feeling around a bit. Stopped took care of the issue and took back off, realized a few miles down the road I'd lost my wallet. Was lucky enough to find the spot and my wallet in the dark. Still don't wear a chain but every time I see one I smile.

Thanks for the stories Itchy, really enjoy them. Best wishes to you and your family and friends. Same goes for all that come across this comment. Cheers ✌

Always enjoy to hear from you hope all is good!

I have one. My original one was a genuine leather wallet that I got at a biker tent shop at a fair. Lasted me a good 20 something years. Kept the chain from my first and added it to my second wallet. I always thought the chain wallet was worn by bikers so ghat they wouldn't lose thir wallets while riding. Anyways, they are a great investment especially when your in a crowded area. And yes it can be used as a weapon depending on the length of the chain. Still a handy accessory

Tri-fold wallet with snaps and a chain that has a leather snap attachment for the belt. That way if I'm not wearing a belt I can attach it to the belt loops. The chain also has a clip so I attach my keys and a mini maglite to it. I am on my second one since I was a teen, and I am 50 now, but I also bought 2 extra as I keep the wallets set up for each country I live in.

I always heard the chain started because if your wallet falls out you don't want to find out when you're out of gas

Use a key ring! That latch part attached to the wallet is def asking for trouble, I removed mine and added a large keyring and haven't lost mine yet😃

Always enjoy your stories Itchy. I don't ride bike anymore I sold my chopper when our first daughter was born 33 yrs ago ,I got my first biker chain wallet when I was 17 yr old and I'm 57 yr now and till this day I still carry one in fact I still had that same original one up till a few yrs ago when my wife bought me a new one for my birthday lol.i still miss the bike once in awhile mainly around Sturgis time as I'm out here driving long haul truck and see everyone Sturgis bound every August and makes me remember the good old days on that hard tail chopper I had.till next time take care and all my best to Vee.

I really love to wake up to a Itchy video. U always have something interesting to chat about. Keep up the great work buddy and stay safe!

I have a dog chain for my keys only. Don't use wallets, just a few cards in a plastic bag in my front pocket. Couldn't be bothered with a bulky wallet, sitting on it and all. I never misplace my keys, I might add 😉🇦🇺

I refer to them as a "chain drive "wallet ...😁

Tappin in from Alaska thanks for the video God bless

I have an oversized lobster claw clasp on the end of my wallet chain. Works great and will last for years.

Got a harley davidson crazy horse a few months back and like you said most new wallets come w the cheap chain,the wallet was 72 and shipping from amazon,if the customer is going to pay that much for a wallet it better have a solid chain w it,it didnt so at the same time i got a heavy duty dog choker with the wallet,it came with the carabiner you had and i had an old leather belt loop that was pretty thick and hooked it up to that and now when im out and about people see the chain and think yeah dont mess w him lol,i had to use my dremmel tool to make it to the length i liked, it was so thick i couldn't use heavy duty wire cutters,just wouldn't do it,but its rock solid now

Naples Italy, in the mid 90s, 2 kids took almost everything out of my pockets. Ever since then....I still feel the need to touch my wallet all the time.

Great vid Some of those chains were real nice

Every time I see yours it just makes me want one more your bike is gorgeous I hope you and Vee are doing well I send prayers your way

In the 60s my Uncle had a red faced baboon from Thailand he got from a 1% club (Rialto Ca.) it had a wallet chain around his wrist that it swung around in the bars.His name was George and he was crraazy! lol Also drank and chewed.Good times.

Itchymoche n Vee, Itchymoche, I remember when I was little my Dad had one from when he drove truck. That wallet was around forever it had a heavy chain like your’s does. One of my best friend has a wallet attached to his old Dog’s choke chain, it’s heavier than your chain. I need a second wallet for my loyalty cards. Ha Ha. Continued Prayers for Vee n You.

The Trucker wallet used by bikers , I have had 1 since age 15 , on my 3ed one this one I got at a Bike show in 1999 I use a dog choke collar the wallet was heavy and well made the chain was not anything but a novelty wire chain . Truck drivers in the 1950s started the chain wallet getting in out of the truck they lost a wallet or if they sat on it to long it hurt with the chain they could set it on the seat and not forget it . Bikers Picked up on it if you went down it was still on your person. Bikers I knew in the 70s carried a small gun or big knife . they never use a chain . They did not care if the killed you or not . They had seen war Truth is they was bad ass. #1 reason I never got in a club, I like my Freedom, they own you when you wear that patch .

Bought mine after my wallet came out on the interstate while on a trip back in my pre credit card days, so all my cash was blowing around on the interstate as the sun came up. Amazingly, my buddy and I found the little over $800 in the grass and weeds , an absolute fortune at the time. Bought the chained wallet at the next truck stop.

You just provided everything I was looking for in one video! Thank you sir!

In 76 i knew it as a chaindrive truckers wallet, when i first hung mine on half a stainless steel dogleash, given me by a friend who only needed the other half for His wallet. I have had many wallets on it since, and a few different ways to attatch the ends, and built a few wallets and modified many others. Still the same chain, and gonna hafta make me another wallet soon......mine isnt heavy enough to seriously expect damage from swinging it, but ive had police tell me its a garrotte and either tell me to never take it off the wallet in public, or take it off to enter their bldg. Ive seen multi-chains, and thought, its yo thing, man. People see it and you can tell if they think its raff, or naff. Attatched with splitrings, until i went to a clevis (anchor) link on the wallet, the belt goes thru a quick link, i sometimes clip my keys to.

Seen a lot of Truckers with them as well. Never thought about the dog chain but I've never broken the chain that came with it. I've replaced the belt snap about 3 times and changed out the ends with heavy keyrings. I'm like you though. Never had any issues with it falling out of my pocket.

I always considered them theft proof from old fashioned pickpocketing. Never really saw them as a fashion trend. They do however look bold to me.

mine made in good ole USA. has buffalo nickel snaps, nice heavy chrome chain. The chain wallet started from gray hound bus drivers. they had too take cash money for fares back in the day.

I have one made from bicycle chain, looks great, is quite light, and sturdy as hell.

I have a chain wallet for 2 reasons 1 being i.lost my waller once 2 because I drive truck and don't wanna sit on my wallet all day but everytime I take it out I forget to grab it again when I gotta run in somewhere so with it on the chain it catches the seat and reminds me lol.

It all started out as being a Trucker wallet. Truckers back in the day had to pickup the money after delivery of the merchandise they were hauling. Bikers and Truckers in most cases are one in the same. Most truckers are bikers and visa versa. That bit about losing your wallet by the vibration is BS unless you wear some really loose jeans. Bend you leg and check your wallet. The torque on the back pocket will not allow your wallet to fall out by bending your leg.

I like your Iron Pony shirt. I lived in Columbus for awhile and was there at least 3 or 4 times a year. I still get there every so often ...

You would have thought pants makers would have made a flap with a snap to help keep wallets in on least one of the back pockets.

i lost my old wallet on the highway somewhere. after that, i went to the chain wallets. Haven't lost my wallet ever since.

instead of changing the grommet on your wallet just put a round key ring trough it and any hook will fit

I have the three chain wallet design lol. Never thought about getting a leather loop to wrap around the belt, that could be handy for me, being that normally I clip my keys on the opposite side that my wallet's on to avoid tangling them up.

I use 2 foot big dog chain for my wallets. Brass eyelets,one punched into my belt,the other in the wallet. Done right

I use a heavy duty key ring to attach my chain to my wallet. Works great.

I used to use choke chains for dogs. They are heavy duty and look great. Haven't used a chain in years though, I keep my wallet in my jacket mostly.

I use one of thoes circle key rings on my wallet and attach my chain to it . works pretty good

I lost a wallet out on the road somewhere on the interstate in Illinois when I stopped on an on ramp to check my load. Since then I use a chain on my wallet too. Not a cheap one you see at those rallies. I got a length of chrome dog collar chain and a good solid key clamp to secure it to my belt. Haven't lost it since.

Hello from Canada Nice video and thanks for the info I really like your simple delivery of information, not fond of some channels that use B-Roll of themselves looking like the terminator and being all intimidating - to each our own I guess

Just purchased my first wallet chain & bought the chain separate I hope it’s beefy enough it was like $50 dollars, I get around in a wheelchair too so I my wallet does fall out quite often but this make it easier for me I usually drop it climbing into a truck & would have to climb all the way back down just grab my wallet from the ground & I won’t have to do all that now

Ran into a rest area back in the 70s. Stood up and wallet fell out. Landed on a turd and stuck to it standing on end. That was the last wallet I ever lost. Chain me up!

I see that you have an Iron Pony t-shirt. I live in the Columbus area and that place is pretty awesome. Where they are located now is their third move. They started out in the partial building that's located just s.w. of them on the corner. I would say that their restrooms in their current bldg. are about as big as their first store. was. I have had my chain wallet for 25 plus yrs. and still going strong. Replaced a snap and did minor re-stitching on it. It has seen many many miles.

Awesome video. Enjoy your ride. Keep it twisted

Hello! I just wanted to tell you my husband and our 4 year old son really enjoy your videos ! Everyday after dinner our son requests to watch “mo-chee,mo-Chee” as he calls you! I have to admit also I been enjoying the videos to! You are one cool cat! Thank you for sharing your videos!!!

Also prayers for you and be your looking good hope she’s the same

That's why I wear tactical pants with many pockets with zippers.

I used the chain that was part of my old Lab’s lead, cut it to fit - for the record it wasn’t a choker. Anyway, it’s a good way to still have him around.

I have the best chain wallet method yet works on any wallet, you take a piece of leather lace run it through the inside center of your wallet and then loop it back just to tie a knot on the bottom leave yourself some extra length hanging for the added look of leather lace fringe hanging outside your pocket if you like, now you hook your chain to the outside piece of lace this allows your wallet to slide into orientation when you put it in your pocket and then as you pull it out it will drop back down for proper orientation to use it and pull your dollar bills out also the leather lace will hold your dollar bills and strap them into place if you tuck them under the lace I do this for my 100s and leave the small bills on the outside of the lace.

Stops pick pockets good enough but mainly i wear it just in case my wallet slips out riding lol.

I rock the chain. I did the same thing went and grabbed like a dog chain. Ive had one person make fun of it and 3 days later he lost his wallet somewhere. I always know I have mine lol

Hello Itchy, Yup had this same issue fitting chain to wallet, I ended up grinding the end of the link with a hand held job from harbour freight and once thru the wallet, put in a vice and squeezed the ends together.

The guy belies got it right. A split ring is the ticket. The true history lies in trucking. My grand dad had one in the twenties as did my dad in the thirties. Many deliveries were COD so you had cash.

Love your story ☺️ I wear two chains on mine I just added another one to the other one

I don't ride anymore but when I did I wore the wallet and chain on the right side because my clutch was on the left side of the bars.

never wore a chain on my wallet was afraid of it getting caught on something , now i lock in my saddlebag and when i stop i make it a habit of putting in my pocket . here in mi i think i enjoyed my last bike ride of the year [bummer] but it was 60 and sunny and the fall colors were awesome . suppose to storm monday and than temps not getting out of the fortys for the foreseeable future . hope both you and vee are doing well .

I use carabiner's on my wallet chain, I also use the ring off a keyring which I put through the small grommet on the wallet, it works a treat.

I'm the guy with 2 thats except ones long like yours and the other is small like the cheap chains that come with them thats just something I've done since high school when I got my first one I also go buy a dog leash for my chains and chain loops instead of those s clips that come with them you'd have to break the leather to break my chains off. But I've always love the style and functionality of them and always wondered how they came about so thanks.

I need a new wallet. Mine is getting really worn out. I’ve had a chain wallet since I was 12. I lost a wallet when I was younger and I learned a lesson.

I wore a wallet chain since 82. First and foremost a billfold is damn uncomfortable as it rides right at the point most bike seats push up into your hip. And its those long distance rides that start you squirming that pushes the bifold or trifold out. Nothing worse then getting to a run with 0 money. The other part is lots of wallet makers today not only use cheap ass chain but they use that pulp leather thats technically leather but holds up for shit. You need heavy duty split cowhide. The wallet I currently have i could drag behind me several miles with no worse for wear. The long pancake biker trifold is designed to be comfortable, keep you bills flat and not have ass sweat seap in to make soggy bills.

I just told myself that I use it because "i'm afraid of it falling out of my pocket while on my bicycle. I'm sure some guys got their ass beat and choked out by it but that certainly isn't why I wear one." then you tell us about why the 1% wear em 😂🤣

I've been picked that is until t I got a chain wallet I don't regret buying a chain wallet

Had chain wallet for 30 years now see lots truckers with them also I also keep my wallet in my front pocket feel safer

Im 39 an have wore a chain wallet and have had my same chain wallet since I was 12

It’s a staple part of Rockabilly attire, cuffed up jeans, white tee, engineer boots & Ricky jacket..greased up hair of course👍

Hi to Val, we're all praying for her. Jayman...

Good video brother. Thanks.

Lose the clip on the wallet end & use a decent quality key ring. I have the same wallet & the key ring has been my go to for years.

No point in having a wallet chain with greater tensile strength than your belt loop. Unless you want it for a weapon. The snap on your attach loop is your weak link. Use a good key ring to loop through the grommet/wallet hole, then attach the chain to that.👍

I always worked in careers that discourages metal on your body. In the military we had dog tags but even those were an issue flopping around electricity. So now in the private sector it’s the same. Chains and even jewelry are discouraged while around electrical equipment. I use a minimalist wallet now and it’s in my front pocket or if I’m on my Harley it goes in my saddle bag. Hell man sometimes it’s just cash and a phone for me now. Most payment options can be on your phone and even pics of your driver’s, fishing,CCDW license and insurance as well....just don’t have a dead phone battery😂 While on my bikes I would be concerned with scratching the paint up. Anyone ever had that happen? I never thought about it as weapon😊 here where I live most folks, even women....carry other weapons😉 I really do like the look of one but it just concerns me on my paint. 👍

Put a stainless key ring on the wallet. Then attach to the chain. They don’t break or wear out.

Built and worked on machines my whole life, and no Bling for me, probably that why I still have all my parts, I miss the fall weather and colors, Itchi have fun,

They make titanium key rings that might work for the grommet

I first knew these wallets as trucker wallets.

Great little topic Itchy. I lump the wallet chain in with the jean vest, patches and heavy boots . I think you can get away with that look but I kinda think it looks a little naff and well out-dated now-a-days. Certainly not a look I could get away with. He says having just brought a HD jean jacket with leather sleeves and a big American N01 patch on it, ha, ha. Thanks Itchy.

Great history about the chain wallet .. I also wear one ... Please tell Vee I said hello.. thanks..

I don't like punk but I do like the biker wallet with the Chain and I could not find a good chain so I went to the hard wear store and made it.

Bought my wallet in 79 at leather shop I always tucked the chain in my pocket with the wallet that way it wouldn’t hook on anything.

I started wearing a wallet chain a few years ago. Got tired of having my wallet in my front pocket when I ride but didn't want to take a chance of it falling out of my back pocket.

Motorcycle drive chain could be a 41 or 35, Sporty's have a chain of 35 3 widths wide for the primary. 41 would be beefy.

Always wonder where you lived. Now I know. About 25 minutes away. I have been to the kamikaze jump about 20 years ago.

just add a split ring to the grommet and attach whatever you want.

I wear one because when I dropped my bike the slide removed my back pockets and wallet with it. To me it's just more slide protection. Keeps my wallet on me in a shitty situation.