J&P Cycles recently awarded the title of Kings of Custom Motorcycle Builders to eight U.S. military veterans from Texas. They earned the title at the J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show. The final stop on the tour was part of the Progressive International Motorcycle Show in Chicago.
The $20,000 grand prize was presented to Motorcycle Missions, a non-profit organization in Austin, Texas that uses motorcycles to help veterans and first responders address PTSD. Founded in 2015 by Krystal Hess, a pediatric and surgical nurse who found motorcycles while suffering from PTSD.
The new “Kings” are Sgt. Adria Garcia (Army), Spc. 1st Class Ron Harding (Army), Spc. Shayne Madison (Army), Lt. Col. Alba Melgar-C’De Baca (Army), Sgt. Andrew Pike (Army), Staff Sgt. Shawn Stover (Army), Sgt. Erik Sherman (Marines), and Staff Sgt. Cassaundra Melgar-C’De Baca (Air Force). Sgt. Garcia is a Purple Heart recipient.
“How can you not be proud of these folks? They served our country and now they’ve teamed up to create this stunning custom motorcycle. We’re honored to name them the Kings of Custom Motorcycle Builders,” said Zach Parham, president of MAG Retail Group.
The motorcycle, nicknamed “Porterfield,” is a 1974 Harley-Davidson donated by a veteran injured while serving in the military. The team was inspired by the style of a board track racer, a popular type of racing in the early 20th century. It features a long slim frame, a solo saddle and low, racing-style handlebars.
“Since J&P Cycles’ founding, we’ve supported people who love motorcycles. When organizations, like Motorcycle Missions, use motorcycles to positively impact people lives, it makes our jobs even more rewarding,” added Parham.
