Rock fans worldwide are familiar with Def Leppard’s incredible drummer Rick Allen. At Vengeance, we have had the honor to get to know the man behind the legend. Vengeance has participated in several Rock-n-Country rides with Rick and Vengeance dealer Mike Cavinder of Classic American Motorcycles of Thousand Oaks, CA. Last summer Mike approached us about helping him put together a trike for Rick. Due to the fact that Rick lost his left arm in an auto accident posed several challenges beyond the typical trike conversion.
After working with some of the industry’s best suppliers, Vengeance was able to put together the very first Vengeance Raven. This bike was delivered it to Rick November 15, 2005 before the sold-out Def Leppard show in Irvine, CA. The Trike is currently “stock” with regular hand and foot controls but Classic American is working with Rick to customize the Raven to fit his needs. We are looking forward to riding with Rick this coming summer!
Manufactures who contributed to the Rick Allen Trike Project:
- Daytec (280 RSD Goliath Frame)
- Mystery Design (Independent Rear Trike Suspension)
- Colorado Custom (Wheels)
- Rivera Engineering (6-speed LSD Transmission)
- S&S (113ci Motor)
- Dakota Digital (Electronic Speedo/Tach)
- Spyke Inc. (Starter, Charging System)
- Crane (Hi-4 Ignition)
- Danny Grey (Seat)
- Brembo (Brakes & Rotors)
- Pro-One (12″ over Front End, Triple Trees, Mirrors)
Rick Allen Backgound Profile
“Rick started out playing drums on his mum’s kitchen countertops, he used a tambourine for percussion until he successfully pestered his parents for a drum kit when he was 10. He had to make a deal to get it: he had to take lessons first, and save up for half the cost.
Rick’s first neighborhood band was Smokey Blue. But after tiring of the local band scene, he joined Def Leppard after responding to an article titled, “Leppard Loses Skins.” He met with Joe and Steve “and we hit it off right away.” And he was only fifteen years old.
Then Rick lost his left arm in a car accident on December 31, 1984. His Corvette took a curve too fast while trying to pass a car, on a rural road outside his native Sheffield, England, and slammed into a wall. Surgeons attempted to reattach the arm, but unfortunately, the infection spread and the arm had to be removed once again. This didn’t stop Rick. While in the hospital, Rick began tapping his feet and realized that he could find a way to play the drums again.
This lead to the creation of his electronic drum kit. This drum kit would allow him to use his left foot to play the beats his left hand would usually create. And from then on, he became known as the Thunder God. His return to the drums was the greatest come back ever in the history of rock ‘n’ roll.
And little annoyances like trying to slice bread ends aside, Rick doesn’t see himself as disadvantaged, and has ‘no patience for people who treat me any differently.’”