Bench Mark Works

08/25/2022

Our friends wrote a book about their world travels on a BMW motorcycle. We have heard some of the stories and look forward to hearing the entire story!

Books are $25 plus $6 shipping and packaging within North America. If you want a book. Please send a check or postal note of $31 to
David Woodburn
400 Alabama Road
Roopville Ga 30170
or
paypal to [email protected].

11/28/2021

Decades ago, a Vintage BMW Motorcycle Owners publication featured several photographs of Peter Fonda and a letter to Butler & Smith. The letter said Peter Fonda:

" ... turned down some sort of offer from Honda Motorcycles because of his previous interest and preference for the BMW motorbikes". (1963)

Fonda produced, co-wrote and starred in "Easy Rider" (1969).

11/24/2021

Vech's romance:
Have you hugged your BMW motorcycle transmission today?

Vech met Elaine in 1997. Soon, he got her into leathers on a BMW motorcycle & convinced her she needed "big hair". They celebrated Christmas, purchased a building to establish Bench Mark Works and married -- all within three months! Smooth talker, that guy! Maybe they both knew it was meant to be.

11/24/2021

All Bench Mark Works - Sturgis phone numbers are now forwarded to Bench Mark Works - Connecticut. Taking orders and shipping. You know you need some parts for the holidays. Give them a call.
(Graphic is from discontinued t-shirts sporting Vech's humor style.)
Also working is (800) 323-7102

11/23/2021

Vech met Richard Coyle at Mississippi State University about 1982 -- when Richard had red hair and Vech had lots of hair. They borrowed someone's BMW R12 at a rally.

Richard's calm temperament qualified him to serve on a nuclear submarine in the Navy (and to work with Vech in the shop for 15 years). Richard is doing odd jobs at home & isn't ready for another job any time soon. Vech, Elaine and Richard are 70 years old. They're "resting up" for their next big adventure in life. ;-)

11/22/2021

Vech says the best BMW motorcycle restoration manuals on the market are those by Chris Betjemann. Vech worked with Chris to be sure the books are top-notch ... and they are!
http://barringtonmotorworkspublications.com/

11/21/2021

Vech is writing an article for the Vintage BMW Motorcycle Owners club magazine. Now that he has more time (and eggnog is back in grocery stores) there should be many more. Don't miss any!
Email article suggestions to: [email protected]
https://vintagebmw.org/membership/

11/20/2021

Shout out to Internet BMW Riders!
People from every continent join this free, non-profit, volunteer-driven club, dedicated to the free exchange of information, ideas & stories regarding BMW motorcycles.

You’ll find technical articles, ride reports and an online marketplace. People helping people. One of Vech's favorite sites since around 1992.

BMW Motorcycle technical info, trip reports, and mailing lists. We have a marketplace for BMW bikes and parts, and links to all kinds of resources.

11/19/2021

Vech calls this his "Hall of Shame".
Vech's BMW motorcycles won so many trophies, ribbons and awards that Elaine had to start spreading them to other areas of the building.
Vech's favorite awards are the "People's Choice" (When a lot of people don't know what BMW they're seeing, but they know they like it!) The "People's Choice" awards were often from bike gatherings of many makes/models -- even Harley ;-)

11/19/2021

In 2014 a book was published that listed Bench Mark Works as the #1 "Odd Museum" in Mississippi. Vech was ticked they didn't mention BMW motorcycles! Many visitors came as a result of that book.

11/18/2021

In 1997 Vech & Elaine worked with county supervisors & 911 to name their street "Earles Fork Road" to honor BMW motorcycles. The county officials didn't realize the name had anything to do with motorcycles. The sign has been photographed by BMW enthusiasts for many years.

11/18/2021

Vech was surprised one year when his wife, Elaine, won recognition as the BMW MOA new-member "TOP RECRUITER". It turned out that Elaine wrote her MOA membership number on all the brochures he gave out instead of Vech's MOA number! (Not fair! Ha!)
Vech bought his lifetime membership in the MOA in 2002.