American Thunder TV host Michelle Smith (center) interviewing Sgt. Nicholas Chaplin and hi
A few months ago we were contacted by American Thunder Television-featured on Speed TV-and asked if we'd like to participate in a very special project. American Thunder Project Manager Jay Barbieri informed us they were going to be taping an episode in which they would outfit a US Marine's bike with more than $10,000 worth of parts and accessories as a small token of appreciation for their honor, courage, and fortitude in protecting and serving our country (check your local listings for air dates).
As always, the V-Twin industry stepped up to lend a hand for a good cause. Major companies
Without hesitation we jumped on board and asked where we needed to be and when. As it turned out, Marc Wolfram-director of marketing from Kryakyn-had a connection through the top brass over at Camp Lejeune (one of the largest Marine bases in the nation) in Jacksonville, NC, that would help find the right candidate for the project.
When he's not at home with his family in Jacksonville, NC, Sgt. Chaplin (third from left)
With a plan of attack in place, we hopped on a plane and headed to NC, where we met up with Marc, Jay, and his beautiful co-worker and host of American Thunder TV, Michelle Smith. From the airport we caravanned to Jacksonville and set up camp at New River Harley-Davidson, where the bike transformation would take place. A perfect setting for this project, New River Harley-Davidson is a really cool building that's set up like an airplane hanger. The staff is very friendly and passionate about motorcycles, and a good portion of them come from military backgrounds themselves.
The hanger-style dealership in the background and just a handful of friends, family, and N
Bright and early the next morning, we hit the dealership for a long day of taping and part swapping. It was at this time we had the honor of meeting Staff Sgt. Nicholas Chaplin, an explosive ordinance disposal technician and Purple Heart recipient with Marine Corps Base EOD.
Sgt. Chaplin had been selected amongst a group of Harley-Davidson owners on the base to have his '07 Ultra Classic upgraded with more than $10-grand worth of parts and accessories.
When we asked about his reaction and thoughts about being selected Sgt. Chaplin replied, "When they called and told me I had been selected I thought they were joking. Then everything happened so fast, the next thing I knew you guys were here with the cameras and that's when I knew this was for real. I got a little bit nervous, and I told them to give it to someone more deserving."