Classic BMW motorcycle awarded in raffle
By the Staff of Clutch and Chrome
August 15th 2008
The motorcycle
has little chrome, comes with a smaller engine and doesn't
have a headlining custom biker builder name behind it, but
it was the envied prize of a recent raffle.
Markel American Insurance Company
announced today the awarding of a restored and customized
1974 BMW R75/6 motorcycle to Eugene Vandenberg of Appleton,
WI. The motorcycle, which was restored and customized in
large part by Markel American Associate Mark Hoedel, and
awarded through a raffle at the recent
BMW Motorcycle Owners of America
(MOA) International Rally in Gillette, WY.
The
motorcycle was restored to raffle in an effort to raise
money for the BMW MOA Foundation. The BMW MOA Foundation is
a non-profit organization with the mission to "provide rider
training and support for motorcycle safety and awareness
programs."
The 1974 BMW R75/6 motorcycle was commonly customized by
cafe racers in the 1970s. "They used to call this bike a
'blue rubber cow' because of how it would wobble in the
corners," said Hoedel, a BMW rider for over 25 years. "The
first thing we did was gusset the frame to make it a much
smoother and more stable ride." Other customizations
included enhanced power and performance, a custom paint
scheme and additional small changes to impress the
discerning BMW rider.
"Obviously, as a motorcycle insurance company we hold rider
safety in the highest regard," said Timberlee Tamraz Grove,
President and COO of Markel American. "It is a perfect fit
for Markel American to partner with an organization as
focused on rider safety as is the BMW MOA Foundation."
Markel American has for years been the endorsed insurer of
the BMW MOA. In addition to this build, Markel also sponsors
rider safety courses through the MOA Foundation throughout
the year and sponsors local BMW MOA chapter rallies around
the US.
Upon being announced as the winner, Vandenberg said, "This
is better than Christmas!" More information about the build,
including videos and photos documenting the process can be
found at a
website detailing the
renovation.
Information
about Markel American's BMW MOA insurance program can be
found
here. A subsidiary of the
Markel Corporation,
Markel American Insurance Company
specializes in the lines of Powersport Products, Specialty
Marine, Preferred Yacht and Small Boat, and Specialty
Property. |
