THE THUMPERGARAGE PAGE OF THE FOUR-STROKE SINGLES NATIONAL OWNERS CLUB WEBSITE - visit all the other pages before you head for the house! This site is updated for the world of motorcycling on each Thursday evening, don't miss out, visit us weekly and tell your friends, no password, no secret code word, just come, pull up a chair and see what's happenin'... if you'd enjoy belonging to this national organization, see the membership application page. Thank You and Keep On Thumpin', it's what we do! - #000
P.S. If you are a FSSNOC member and have some input, email us here at the ThumperGarage with your comments. Note that if we have a response to your email, it will be posted here the following Thursday evening during our weekly update, so please note that you will NOT receive a response by email, only here on the glowing rectangle. FSSNOCthumpers@yahoo.com
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NEW TRIUMPH SINGLES ...
THEY'RE EVERYWHERE, EVERYWHERE!
HELLO, THUMPER FANS! WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF THE THUMPERGARAGE ... this page known as the ThumperGarage Page, oddly enough (grin). I'm Jack, FSSNOC #000, nice to have you with us!
F S S N O C Four-Stroke Single National Owners Club. We are about Single cylinder motorcycles that are propelled by a four cycle engine ... that's our setting and what a "one"derful setting it is ...
It's Springtime where I am; trees are leafing out, the natural grasses are in various stages of coming to life, and, of course, here in Kansas, we are having our Spring winds. Yesterday, it blew out of the South, today it is out of the North. South wind, higher temps (80s) yesterday. North wind, lower temps (49 degrees as I write). One day, vented gear over a FSSNOC t-shirt. The next day, particularly if on an early morning ride, a heavy multi-layer coat over a FSSNOC sweatshirt with an electric vest sandwiched in there somewhere, maybe electric gloves as well ... still we ride ... and still we smile. "Wait not on the perfect day, lest the perfect day escape you...", comes to mind here.
The photo above for today (04-18-24) is of a brand new TRIUMPH 400 SCRAMBLER. A couple of weeks ago we featured here on the ThumperGarage page, a newly purchased TRIUMPH 400 SPEED which is the street going model. This week's bike was ridden to a local weekly Tuesday morning coffee stop by fellow FSSNOCer, #5403. I rode over on my Royal Enfield 350 Deluxe Classic and parked alongside, making for an attention getting visual, for sure.
I'll mention some things here that I noticed to be different between the two versions, this based on my recall, not a spec sheet so some error may occur, okay?
First thing, an obviously higher stance for the SCRAMBLER, maybe a couple of inches. A 19" front wheel as opposed to the 17" on the SPEED, both of cast design and likely tubeless but I'm speculating there.
The SCRAMBLER sports a rather intricate headlight screen of sorts, a small bash-plate under the motor, wide handlebars with the iconic "scrambler" crossbar, the unique "dual port" exhaust as in the photo, rubber knee-pads on the gastank, and gnarlier tires by Metzler, did I read "Karoo" maybe on the sidewall? Both bikes use the upside-down gold-colored front forks, though there may be a difference in travel? Oh, yeah, the Scrambler had plastic hand covers (guards) on the bars as well. I was allowed to swing onto the Scrambler; it felt very "homey" right away, and as I recall, I could touch both feet comfortably, and by the way, my inseam is 34" ... and decreasing (grin).
Fit and finish? They look superb, very tidy, which kinda means that most things are sorta hidden. This is typical of modern motorcycles. The companies go to great lengths to make the bikes look simple and sanitary to the viewer, but unlike the bikes of old, getting to even the most common of things like sparkplugs or carburetors (oops - throttle bodies now for FI) can be a real struggle. We'll learn more about this sort of thing on the new Triumphs as time goes by and owners report their experiences (hint-hint) ... email your comments: FSSNOCthumpers@yahoo.com
Well, there ya' go ... don't miss the other pages on this site. There's no fluff in FSSNOC, it's all meat and potatoes! I'm gonna step next door to the History Page (one of my favorites here on the ThumperGarage!). See YOU there:
Lovely motorbike, #5403, lovely motorbike! - #000
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posts below are from last weeks update, retained here for your review:
ODE TO #3590 ... VIC, #3701- NC.
Hello, JR and club members...
I first met John at a FSSNOC event at Suches, GA. in 2000. This was the first FSSNOC event for both of us and neither of us know anyone there. Somehow, we met up and decided to go out exploring the area together. Little did I know it then, but John was to become my best friend and riding partner.
Our riding styles were perfectly matched. We would ride like the devil was on our tail, then slow down and smell the flowers. Even though I live in NC, and John lived in Ohio, we've managed to get together somewhere at least 25 times over the next 23 years, according to the number of photo folders on my computer. Some were for FSSNOC events, others were places that just looked good on a map. We rode together in at least 15 states, usually for 4-5 days. Our last get together was May of last year for 6 days in Hot Springs, NC.
I'm not sure when John became a FSSNOC member but probably late '90's. He was a faithful FSSNOC member for about 25 years. He did let his membership expire about a year ago. John's health slowed him down in the last few years, but he still managed to get 14-16K miles in on six bikes that he had plates on, through 2023. He just loved to be on 2 wheels.
He's failing health finally got to him on March 31 this year, one day before he's 80th birthday. Yes, he was born on April Fool's Day.
In my nearly 400,000 miles of riding and many riding buddy's, John matched my style the best. If he was going to take the left fork up ahead, I knew it before he did, and the same was true when I was in the lead. Only once do I recall having a disagreement.
At a fork in a dirt road, he insisted we had to go left. I was sure right was what we wanted. Turns out the mix-up was the result of John having his GPS set so up was his direction a travel and I had mine set for up being north. After about a mile of taking the left fork, John stopped and sheepishly said that we needed to go back and take the right fork.
My handlebar time has diminished in recent years, but when I do get out, I'll think of John and wish he was with me. Best friend and riding partner ever.
God speed, John, enjoy the ride. - Vic, #3701 - NC.
(REPLY) Thank You, Vic! I have fond memories of John myself as do other club members who had the pleasure of meeting John at various FSSNOC ThumperCafes. Not knowing of the health issues, I remember being surprised when John didn't renew his membership in FSSNOC a short time ago. Your letter makes that all make sense now. Thank you, again, Vic! Beautifully written, many readers will relate to your post. - ...#000
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