THE Brisbane president of Highway 61 yesterday vowed to "die with his colours on" as he fights to maintain control of the outlaw motorcycle gang.
This week the Bulletin exclusively revealed members of the New Zealand gang would patch over to the Bandidos MC.
The president, who refused to give his name, claimed he would do "whatever it takes" to stop members going to the rival club.
The membership boost would give the Bandidos a huge advantage against arch-rivals the Hells Angels, but the Highway 61 president yesterday said he would fight to keep his patch alive.
"I will die in my colours," he said. "My members will not patch over.
"If they try, I will deal with it. They will not be fit to ride a bike."
Despite his denials, gang sources maintained it was a "done deal" and only the diehard members would stay loyal to Highway 61.
The patchover follows moves in New Zealand where the Bandidos have established the south Auckland chapter headed by former 61 president Kelly Raymond Robertson.
The one-time 61 hard man has been recruiting former clubmates as part of the takeover of the Kiwi gang and the Brisbane and Gold Coast members are expected to follow suit.
The former president of Highway 61's Otahuhu chapter, Robertson is familiar with the inner machinations of motorcycle clubs and has a reputation for brokering deals between them.