"Papa"
Papa is an 82 year old Vietnam Veteran and the Riders Director for the American Legion Post 265 Legion Riders club in Jacksonville, NC. Papa served in the U.S. Air Force and has ridden most of his life. His Legion Post continues to be a strong supporter of VAMP with annual donations and fellowship at their Post events and rides.
L to R: Sack (Legion Riders Sgt at Arms), Jason Sawyer (VAMP Ops), Papa, Jack Stottlemire (VAMP Pres), Jim Moran (Combat Cycles)
As always, we couldn't do these projects without the monetary donations from private folks who want to help. We also couldn't do this with out the support of local small motorcycle shops who support VAMP without a second thought with discounts on labor and parts. Jim Moran is the owner/operator of Combat Cycles in Jacksonville NC. Jim did not hesitate to help us with the install of Papa's parts. We'd also like to thank and recognize Pete G of Legup Landing Gear for providing us with a kit that will help Papa at low speeds. We encourage everyone to use Jim's shop for motorcycle work and check out Legup Landing gear for options to keep riding. Lastly, thanks to Papa for trusting us to keep him "In the Wind".
Matty
On May 18, 2024, VAMP delivered a converted trike motorcycle to a disabled veteran. To date, this has been VAMP's biggest project. While all VAMP projects matter equally, this one has been a long time coming. Matty is a U.S. Air Force combat veteran who was involved in an accident that took his right arm at the shoulder. Matty found VAMP and asked for help. While we don’t typically buy motorcycles for applicants, something about Matty and his story convinced us that he would be the one we did it for.
On May 18, 2024, VAMP delivered a converted trike motorcycle to a disabled veteran. To date, this has been VAMP's biggest project. While all VAMP projects matter equally, this one has been a long time coming. Matty is a U.S. Air Force combat veteran who was involved in an accident that took his right arm at the shoulder. Matty found VAMP and asked for help. While we don’t typically buy motorcycles for applicants, something about Matty and his story convinced us that he would be the one we did it for.
Twelve years after Matty lost his arm in a motorcycle wreck after he was hit in an intersection, Matty is back in the wind! We found this trike in Charlotte and the seller cut the price by one third when he heard about VAMP and Matty’s story. Marc Norton at Backwoods Customs in Raeford, NC did all the conversions to move the throttle, starter switch, and turn signals to the left side. He installed a Rekluse Clutch (courtesy of Danny Youngblood of Rekluse Clutch). Marc also installed a parking brake and integrated the front and back brakes to the foot brake. Many thanks to all involved in getting Matty riding with his brothers and the Nam Knights MC. What VAMP does can never be credited to one person. Thank you to Matty, Dan, Marc, Danny, Godfrey, Jack, Pix, and Jason for making this happen. To Matty, thank you for trusting VAMP to Put You Back in the Wind!
Tamara
Tamara is a U.S. Army Veteran who honorably served for almost nine years with multiple combat tours to Iraq. She suffered injuries leading up to a deployment and they were worsened during the deployment. Due to her injuries, Tamara didn’t think she would be able to ride again. Riding became difficult though she still tried. “Riding is my freedom and release” is what she stated in her application to VAMP. Tamara owns a 2019 Heritage Softail and had difficulty with shifting. She requested a solution to assist with shifting and clutch operations.
In partnership with Rekluse ® and House of Thunder Speed Shop we were able to obtain a new free Rekluse clutch from the men and women at Rekluse® and worked with Eddie and Gumby at House of Thunder Speed Shop to do the install. House of Thunder is located in Akron Ohio performed the labor at a highly discounted rate in an effort to support this veteran initiative. Tamara got the bike back a few weeks later and has been riding ever since. Once again, VAMP put a Veteran Back in the Wind.
Bruce
Meet Bruce, a resilient U.S. Army Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Despite injuries, his spirit is unbreakable. Bruce, hailing from Maine, rides his 2011 Harley Fatbob trike.
When Bruce sought help from VAMP, we answered. With a reverse gear and Rekluse® clutch, Bruce is back on the road, thanks to Danny at and our team.