FSSNOC THUMPER GARAGE
************************************************************************************ THIS WEBSITE UPDATE IS FOR ... 11-15-18
OUR NEXT ANTICIPATED UPDATE IS ... 11-22-18
See "Website Details and Instruction" section at the bottom of all this great conversation.
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GREETINGS FOUR-STROKE SINGLES ENTHUSIASTS (FSSNOC) ...
IT'S A GREAT DAY IN THUMPERVILLE.
HOPE THE SAME FOR YOU WHEREVER YOU MAY BE!
A FEW NUTS AND BOLTS, if I may...
We have a light load of material today so from that we may all take a clue that we should respond next week with some Thumper-related input ... simply e-mail your comments to us here at the Thumper Garage at: FSSNOCthumpers@yahoo.com
Should you wish to send a photo, attach it to the email as an attachment ... and push "send" and by the miracle of the internet, that should get your contribution (article, photo, comments, questions) here. Your initial e-mail to the above address will be confirmed by an automatic email from us saying we received your email and that we will respond on the following Thursday's update. Should you send multiple e-mails during the same one week period, the confirming e-mail will only happen on the first of those multiple e-mails.
Now, find a comfy chair, snuggle-in and let your mind wander a bit ... well, actually, quite a bit, go way, way, way back to 1915 (photo above - taken at the Kansas Motorcycle Museum during a recent visit by #000)...
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We hear from Alan Smith, FSSNOC #5286 - California below:
I'm not sure who is interested in what life was like touring on a motorcycle in 1915. For those interested, the December issue of Rider magazine, page 26, has just a story. I guess in 1915 riding a motorcycle across the country could be considered dual-sporting. Granted, this story is about someone riding one of those twin-cylinder motorcycles and not a Thumper...
It is interesting that many of the things we pack today were the same in 1915, though not as high tech. The camaraderie among other motorcyclists was also alive and well in 1915.
Interesting, as per the article, one of the worst states in the country to cross back in 1915 was Nebraska. The wagon/horseless carriage ruts were deep. The poor motorcycles of the day fell into those ruts.
About the same information in Rider magazine can be found on the internet:
https://bcbooklook.com/2017/11/17/mack-the-life/
A full length book is planned to be published about Hamilton Mack Laing's crossing of America in 1915.
Now the first Thumper to cross America was back in 1903. By today’s standards, this Thumper would be labeled a moped because it had peddles to help power the massive one-and-a-half horsepower bike. Interesting reading about George Wyman who did this in 1903. Now that was a brutal ride.
More about George Wyman can be found at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_A._Wyman
http://www.ridetwisties.com/Across%20America%20on%20a%20Motor%20Bicycle.html
Alan Smith (FSSNOC #5286) CA. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Best Wishes, Alan ... Thanks for the stroll down memory lane! My Dad was born in 1916 so I can sort of get an idea what things were like back then ... NOT! Quite frankly, I would say that few people today could even think that they knew what Laing's trip would have been like back some one hundred and three years ago. I'm told that most gasoline was purchased at drugstores and that the network of roads was really based on trails and waterways, and, of course, the railroads.
Alan Smith does know something about cross-country journeys as he had occasion to ride across the USA on a 250cc Kawasaki in 2014, on the one-hundredth anniversary of when Cannonball Baker rode his Indian from coast to coast in 1914. In contrast to Laing's trip of 3842 miles through 12 states from Brooklyn, NY to San Francisco, CA, Alan's ride, actually starting in his home state of California, was from there to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, then back across the USA to return to his home in California.
We've talked about Alan's ride in the past (the C2CTT), but when I received his e-mail about the article in RIDER MAGAZINE, my mind was flooded with memories. I have more than a casual knowledge of Alan's ride because I was there on my own 250cc motorcycle, a Honda CBR250R. Alan and I were both willing and eager participants in a trip loosely planned out by FSSNOC #661, Joe and Carol Gilmore of Maryland, called the Coast 2 Coast Tiddler Tour.
Joe and Carol chose to utilize US Highway 50 as the principal route across the USA and had plotted a series of suggested lodging sites at intervals of 350-375 miles on the historic highway. However, we, the participants, were invited and even encouraged to "do our own thing" by varying the route, staying wherever we chose, making our own trip within the framework of the Gilmore's awesome vision.
It was a wonderful time and I shall always be grateful to Joe and Carol not only for the opportunity, but for their encouragement, for all their pre-trip work, and most of all, for the inspiration to do such an adventure.
By my recall, there were about ten motorcycles, the idea being that the bike of choice was a "Tiddler", which by FSSNOC description and use is a 250cc or smaller Four-Stroke Single. An alternate choice was offered those who rode two-up, their mount could be up to 650cc in size. The end result was a duke's mixture of mostly Tiddlers of some description, plus one 500cc Honda and one 650cc BMW, both hauling double.
One of the oddest players in this motorized game of chance was Alan's own ride, a 250cc twin-cylinder Kawasaki that had more the appearance of a "F-16 Fighter Jet without wings" than a motorcycle. Alan was and is into massive gas mileage numbers and one of the greatest tools in his considerable inventory is the tool of aerodynamics. While my Honda's gas mileage was often in the highly commendable mid-to-high 80s range, his alloy-bodied rocket was more into 140mpg and more! But, I digress...
Laing's trip in 1915 was 3842 miles. Most would say that now days the USA is considered to be about 3500 miles across, more or less, depending on the route. I can't say for Alan, but my route in total was 9000 miles plus, but keep in mind that one has to actually cross the continent twice to be given credit for riding across it once, coast-to-coast. How so, you might ask?
Picture this; I reside in the center of the USA, so I leave my house on the Honda, riding east to the Atlantic coast at Kitty Hawk. There, I turnabout and proceed back west.
11 days, 12 hours, 37 minutes later, I find myself setting on the now quiet Honda, gazing at the Pacific ocean as it tirelessly and repeatedly lapped the shoreline of California. After an over-priced victory meal and a good nights rest, I fire-up the Honda and ride east again, to arrive at my garage door in Kansas a few days later, the overall trip taking 21 glorious days.
So how did I ride 9000 miles to and fro across the USA? Isn't 3500 mi. + 3500 mi. = 7000 miles, right?
Simple ... each day I, and often others, took the scenic route, many a day was well in excess of 500 miles by the time I would leave the motel site on Highway 50, drop (usually) south to pickup some twisty roads for the day, then end up that evening back with the group on Highway 50 for fun and food. I think there was one night in Missouri that Alan, Lynn and Johnnie Pittman, and I didn't make it back, as we overnighted in Bolivar, MO.
So how does one compare riding a similar route in 1914 or 1915 to this particular ride in 2014? As I recall, Cannonball Baker writes about having a day where he had nine (9) tire punctures and he talks about riding railroad right-a-ways and bridges! And, don't forget, this was in a day with few roads going west to east with any continuity, case in point, it would be 46 years before the beginning of Route 66!
If you guessed that we made way better time, you'd be wrong! Cannonball Baker rode his Indian in 1914, starting at exactly the same start point (that was unplanned and we had no foreknowledge of Baker's trip!) and riding to the same coast that we did ... his time, as reported by RIDER MAGAZINE I do believe, was 11 days, 12 hours, and 10 minutes!
He BEAT us by 27 minutes!
Thank you, Alan, #5286 and RIDER MAGAZINE ... for the enjoyable peek back into time from a two-wheeled perspective. From my memories and from reading multiple accounts of those early day motorcycle travelers, I can only attempt to imagine what trans-continental riding would have been like back in the black and white days, but my solace is that I bet they would freak-out with the challenges of cross-country travel today in "modern" USA.
They were born back then, we were born now ... the remaining things in common? The sheer magnitude of our country and our conveyance of choice, the motorcycle.
Since I don't give advise, I have chosen to write this comment in first person...
My personal view? "Leave my own tracks, Write my own stories ... this is my time".
Jack, FSSNOC #000/Director
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FOR SALE: 1997 Suzuki DR650 ... electric start model ... 22000 miles ... some new components included ... motor is partially disassembled (top end?) ... clean title ... contact Doc. Russell at 620-663-6150 (FSSNOC #4073 - Kansas) ... $500.00 OBO ... Great project possibilities ... Thanks!
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Posts below are from an earlier update ... see the other pages on this site for more content. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
THOUGHTS ON A SOGGY DAY
My First Road Trip ... Steve Oakman, #5266
The year was 1972. I was a kid, sixteen years old. My father had gotten me a 1967 HD Sprint. To me, it seemed pretty big as I’d never ridden a motorcycle before. I practiced in the driveway until I felt comfortable with it. Then I raced it across the yard to get acquainted with its speed. When summer came I took to the open road.
I rode to my uncle’s farm, about 120 miles north of where we lived. Dashing down the two lane highway at 50 miles per hour was exhilarating. It took me all morning as there was one particular bolt which kept coming loose. I had to stop often to hand tighten it as I had no tools (I told you, just a kid). When I got to the farm my uncle gave me a small vice grip to tighten that bolt up good. I still have that grip and carry it on every trip I make now.
I was bitten hard by the motorcycle bug. It’s been a lifelong infection. Every summer for the last twenty some years I’ve been riding to the mountains of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. It never gets old. I always see and experience new things.
Being in this club (FSSNOC) has really gotten me into the simplicity and fun of riding single cylinder motorcycles slowly over the back roads. I’ve owned and ridden bigger touring machines with two, three, and four cylinders and tons of power and speed, but they were in no way more enjoyable for me. Now I travel slowly (usually about 45 to 50) so I can take everything in. It is so relaxing to travel this way. A day stretches on forever. I still seem to arrive where I’m going too quickly.
Meeting some of the club members has been the best part of my membership. I am glad there are so many who have this interest in motorcycles. It’s definitely a big family. In this crazy modern world, it’s good to know there are still these kinds of people. I hope we all get to Keep On Thumpin’ for a long, long time. - Steve Oakman #5266
I liked Joel's SR500 picture posted here at the Thumper Garage last week and I've been keeping in touch with him on the progress he's making on the airplane he's building.
Earlier today, I had a destination in mind for one of my Royal Enfields. I had to ride into a stiff north wind and it was a pretty cold day but it's supposed to snow in two days and I didn't want to pass up the perfect day. Yes, I've got those knobby tires too, which work well on gravel roads but not so great on pavement (too slippery). Also, I don't think I ever sent you that website for next years possible café-- Keep On Thumpin!!! Steve Oakman, #5266 - Nebraska
Yo Steve ... Soggy day, indeed! (See the Event Page) Let me say, that your photo above is ABSOLUTELY mouth-watering! Wow, what a stunner ... made me want to turn back the clock, for sure. My first "big" bike was the big tank model of this same motorcycle, a 1967 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPRINT . What a trip down memory lane, my friend.
You left me a message on the club phone ... about a new sweatshirt for your bride. Go to the Club Store page on this website and check it out... Basically, Sweatshirts are $10 more than a t-shirt and you can get about any color if available and now days it will have the "GOT TORQUE" logo on the front and our regular club logo on the back. Some folks like to order one size larger when they order sweatshirts, makes it easier to fit over other clothing, etc ... that's up to you. I'm wearing a white one right now and it is nice and cozy, one of the great things about the winter months is the temperatures are right for wearing sweatshirts, and I like that ... so order up from FSSNOC by USPS mail, make checks to: FSSNOC, INC. and mail to: FSSNOC, P.O. Box 1809, Hutchinson, KS. 67504-1809
As for that ThumperCafe site, looks like a good idea ... I'll do some checking on it and get back to you.
Best Wishes from ThumperVille ... Jack, #000
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From Phil Schreck, FSSNOC #162 - Oklahoma
https://youtu.be/O2BiV9h-h0A
https://www.pipeburn.com/home/2018/11/02/royal-enfield-classic-350-speedway.html
https://pipeburn.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=063c60c8e413a6cb82748c68f&id=bf49dbd2f0&e=1895b7795e
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FOR SALE: 1997 Suzuki DR650 ... electric start model ... 22000 miles ... some new components included ... motor is partially disassembled (top end?) ... clean title ... contact Doc. Russell at 620-663-6150 (FSSNOC #4073 - Kansas) ... $500.00 OBO ... Great project possibilities ... Thanks!
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"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" POSTS BELOW ARE FROM AN EARLIER UPDATE:
HOME SWEET HOME
... on the Nebraska prairie
Above was a pic of my 1979 SR500 Yamaha in front of an abandoned home.
Joel, #5190 - Nebraska
Interesting, Joel ... Those tires look to be knobbies. This must be your back-road/trail SR500? Cool! A year of so back, I gave a little thought to getting a new Yamaha SR400 to make a "backroad bomber" out of ... I planned to change out the fork tubes for some custom length tubes, maybe add a couple inches, get some longer rear shocks, some scrambler handlebars, etc. I think it would have worked... #000 P.S. Awesome shot, Joel!!
FOR SALE: 1978 SR500 YAMAHA I'm reluctantly selling my 1978 YAMAHA SR500.
(Not in the photo above) A beautiful machine. $4,000+ spent on upgrades. For sale: $2,000!
For info, contact Joel #5190 Nebraska ejcalhoun75@gmail.com.
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ROYAL ENFIELD RHAPSODY
Jack and club members,
Thought I'd drop you a note about not passing up this semi-perfect day for a spin on the C5. Rode it up to my Mom's to check on her and after our visit took the long way home with a quick dash on the Freeway. It always feels so good to ride this Enfield. It has a unique way of relaxing you and clearing your head of the things that don't matter so much. Anyway, what exactly is that quote about the perfect day? Hope you're not getting too muddy down there on the back roads.
Steve #5266 - Nebraska
" WAIT NOT ON THE PERFECT DAY LEST THE PERFECT DAY ESCAPE YOU" ... in the map window of #000's tankbag!
"DON'T WAIT FOR THE PERFECT DAY. TO MAKE IT A PERFECT DAY, DANCE THE WHOLE DAY, SING EVERY HOUR, AND LOVE EVERY MOMENT"
"MY KINGDOM, MY KINGDOM ... FOR A PERFECT DAY"
Yo Steve ... Haven't yet transitioned over to dirt roads here in ThumperVille. Still enjoying a goodly measure of Autumn color and pavement, both on the Honda CBR250R and the Enfield Continental GT535. October is usually a premium month to ride here in ThumperVille, but this year, not so much. It couldn't stop raining until about 10 days ago, been pretty nice ever since, 'cept last couple of days were a little cool and cloudy.
Local farmers are about to pull their collective hair out, some need to harvest soybeans, some need to drill in wheat, most fields and most back roads are mud-mud-mud!
By the way, good (but too short) article about a guy riding across the USA in 1915 in RIDER magazine this month, just got my issue today (Thank You, Ken Conrad, #4800 - Montana).
Before I go, Steve ... Thanks for the note above and I concur, riding a Royal Enfield is something special. I can come close on the Honda CBR by reducing my road speed, but close is it ... I suspect riding a "country lane" astraddle a well-running vintage English bike would be very similar to the RE. - #000.
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THE JEROME REPORT ...
Mr. Thumper,
The other day I was looking at a map of the area around Jerome, AZ. I saw that county route 72 headed north out of Jerome. I hadn't ever noticed such a road when riding through Jerome so it kind of intrigued me. Along the dirt road (labeled "primitive" by the county) was the town of Perkinsville. Hmm. About 30 miles to Jerome and 20 miles of "primitive road" to Perkinsville and back for a nice little 100 mile ride. Perfect for the KLX250!
So after lunch, we head off for Jerome, weather is pretty much perfect. The KLX is in fine fetal and we have a nice ride to Jerome. Hmm, only seem to be two roads heading off to the north. First one turns out not to be the right one - though it does lead to an interesting mining museum and a beautiful view to the north and east. Can easily see Flagstaff Mountain with its snow cap off to the north.
I try the next road which leads to an old gold mine and ghost town and - yes! - county road 72. Starts out smooth and twisty with some spectacular views and equally spectacular drop offs. Road gets rougher as I head north but really nothing that any car couldn't handle - at greatly reduced speed.
The map says that Perkinsville is just past the junction of 72 and 70. I see a sign for Perkins Ranch, and see the ranch buildings off to the east. Ride on a bit and find that, well, there is no Perkinsville in Perkinsville! But you know, it was a great ride. Since it's getting late, I turn the trusty little KLX around and we head back (ever notice how the same road looks so different from the other direction?). Roll into the garage just as the sun is setting.
Another great Thumper ride!
Kerry - #4543 - ARIZONA
A new address can mean new roads ... and that is usually fun! Hi Kerry, good to hear from you. Would have enjoyed a photo to go with this report (grin), and, by the way, our website layout favors a horizontal format pic as opposed to a vertical shot ... should you see fit to send a shot.
A couple of years ago, we had a FSSNOC event not far from Jerome, as you will recall. I spent a couple of hours in, or perhaps I should say, "on" a mountainside junkyard that was called"Ghost" something there in or by Jerome. It is advertised in Jerome flyers ... but anyway, it was $5 and it was money well spent ... locate it and check it out sometime, worth your while... -#000
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CAUTION - CAUTION ... LINK below
https://advrider.com/swm-is-bringing-its-super-dual-adventure-bikes-to-the-us-aim-expo-2018/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_content=10_24_2018
Except for the ridiculous seat height (Not all of us are 6'8" Vikings!), this bike from SWM looks pretty cool. The pannier frames appear to be ready for Hepco & Becker boxes.
Joe Gilmore, #661 - Maryland
Thanks to Phil Schreck and Joe Gilmore who both sent our site the above link ... quite an interesting piece. Thanks, guys! - #000
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Don't forget the other pages on this website, check them out before you ride off into the sunset, okay?
Club Members ... sign up a friend to our club this week.
Non-members ... guys and gals, it is great that you visit us here at the Thumper Garage, but we'd really like to have some of you ... no ... make that all of you join our club. We need the numbers to Keep On Thumpin', ya' know?
Posts below are from an earlier update... Cheers! - Jack, #000/Director
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(Website Details and Instructions: )
Hello Thumper Enthusiasts...
I'm Jack Robinson (FSSNOC #000), your club Director. It is an honor to introduce you to THE THUMPER GARAGE. This mini-venue is in addition to our legendary hard copy THUMPER NEWS quarterly magazine. After enjoying this page, please visit our other pages on this site. Go to the masthead above to make it happen...
You are encouraged to thump by the THUMPER GARAGE weekly. This is a FREE site for you and your friends.
Members may contact us anytime 24/7 with comments, conversation, stories, or questions via a mailed letter, a phone call or an e-mail. When you E-mail, please give us your first name, your FSSNOC member number, and your state. You'll receive a courtesy confirmation E-mail back. Our actual response to your E-mail will generally be posted on the following Thursday's THUMPER GARAGE posting so be sure to tune back in then... (Address-phone number-email address is below... **)
We encourage you to join our club: Complete the application found elsewhere on this site (click on "more" above) and mail it to us with $40 dues for a 12 month membership or save a few bucks by sending $75 for a 24 month membership. Include your shirt size so we can gift you a FREE club t-shirt if this is your initial membership.
A subscription to THUMPER NEWS magazine, mailed to your mailbox, is included in your membership as well.
Our U.S. POSTAL address is: FSSNOC P.O. Box 1809, Hutchinson, Ks 67504-1809.
To call our club, phone 620-663-1869 or you may send an E-mail: FSSNOCTHUMPERS@yahoo.com
NOTICE: Please understand that your E-mail will likely be reproduced on this site. Any/all subject matter and information may be used in-part or edited and will become the property of the Four-Stroke Singles National Owners Club and FSSNOC,INC. All included content in Thumper News or The Thumper Garage is solely for entertainment, not advise....
THE CLUB STORE ... CLICK ON IT WHEN YOU ARE DONE HERE?
The Autumn season means awesome riding for many areas ... time to get some new club gear, eh? Order yourself a bright new yellow and black club cap, a couple cotton t-shirts, and at least one sweatshirt to wear under your riding gear. Remember, every day is FSSNOC gear day. Tell the world about our club ... Thanks!
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YOU'VE JUST VISITED THE THUMPER GARAGE. PLEASE CLICK ON THE "MORE" ON THE MASTHEAD ABOVE ... AND CHECK OUT ALL THE OTHER PAGES OF THIS SITE. PLEASE CONSIDER BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE FOUR-STROKE SINGLES NATIONAL OWNERS CLUB (FSSNOC) TODAY ...Thank You! - Jack, FSSNOC #000/Director
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************************************************************************************ THIS WEBSITE UPDATE IS FOR ... 11-15-18
OUR NEXT ANTICIPATED UPDATE IS ... 11-22-18
See "Website Details and Instruction" section at the bottom of all this great conversation.
***************************************************************
GREETINGS FOUR-STROKE SINGLES ENTHUSIASTS (FSSNOC) ...
IT'S A GREAT DAY IN THUMPERVILLE.
HOPE THE SAME FOR YOU WHEREVER YOU MAY BE!
A FEW NUTS AND BOLTS, if I may...
We have a light load of material today so from that we may all take a clue that we should respond next week with some Thumper-related input ... simply e-mail your comments to us here at the Thumper Garage at: FSSNOCthumpers@yahoo.com
Should you wish to send a photo, attach it to the email as an attachment ... and push "send" and by the miracle of the internet, that should get your contribution (article, photo, comments, questions) here. Your initial e-mail to the above address will be confirmed by an automatic email from us saying we received your email and that we will respond on the following Thursday's update. Should you send multiple e-mails during the same one week period, the confirming e-mail will only happen on the first of those multiple e-mails.
Now, find a comfy chair, snuggle-in and let your mind wander a bit ... well, actually, quite a bit, go way, way, way back to 1915 (photo above - taken at the Kansas Motorcycle Museum during a recent visit by #000)...
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We hear from Alan Smith, FSSNOC #5286 - California below:
I'm not sure who is interested in what life was like touring on a motorcycle in 1915. For those interested, the December issue of Rider magazine, page 26, has just a story. I guess in 1915 riding a motorcycle across the country could be considered dual-sporting. Granted, this story is about someone riding one of those twin-cylinder motorcycles and not a Thumper...
It is interesting that many of the things we pack today were the same in 1915, though not as high tech. The camaraderie among other motorcyclists was also alive and well in 1915.
Interesting, as per the article, one of the worst states in the country to cross back in 1915 was Nebraska. The wagon/horseless carriage ruts were deep. The poor motorcycles of the day fell into those ruts.
About the same information in Rider magazine can be found on the internet:
https://bcbooklook.com/2017/11/17/mack-the-life/
A full length book is planned to be published about Hamilton Mack Laing's crossing of America in 1915.
Now the first Thumper to cross America was back in 1903. By today’s standards, this Thumper would be labeled a moped because it had peddles to help power the massive one-and-a-half horsepower bike. Interesting reading about George Wyman who did this in 1903. Now that was a brutal ride.
More about George Wyman can be found at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_A._Wyman
http://www.ridetwisties.com/Across%20America%20on%20a%20Motor%20Bicycle.html
Alan Smith (FSSNOC #5286) CA. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Best Wishes, Alan ... Thanks for the stroll down memory lane! My Dad was born in 1916 so I can sort of get an idea what things were like back then ... NOT! Quite frankly, I would say that few people today could even think that they knew what Laing's trip would have been like back some one hundred and three years ago. I'm told that most gasoline was purchased at drugstores and that the network of roads was really based on trails and waterways, and, of course, the railroads.
Alan Smith does know something about cross-country journeys as he had occasion to ride across the USA on a 250cc Kawasaki in 2014, on the one-hundredth anniversary of when Cannonball Baker rode his Indian from coast to coast in 1914. In contrast to Laing's trip of 3842 miles through 12 states from Brooklyn, NY to San Francisco, CA, Alan's ride, actually starting in his home state of California, was from there to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, then back across the USA to return to his home in California.
We've talked about Alan's ride in the past (the C2CTT), but when I received his e-mail about the article in RIDER MAGAZINE, my mind was flooded with memories. I have more than a casual knowledge of Alan's ride because I was there on my own 250cc motorcycle, a Honda CBR250R. Alan and I were both willing and eager participants in a trip loosely planned out by FSSNOC #661, Joe and Carol Gilmore of Maryland, called the Coast 2 Coast Tiddler Tour.
Joe and Carol chose to utilize US Highway 50 as the principal route across the USA and had plotted a series of suggested lodging sites at intervals of 350-375 miles on the historic highway. However, we, the participants, were invited and even encouraged to "do our own thing" by varying the route, staying wherever we chose, making our own trip within the framework of the Gilmore's awesome vision.
It was a wonderful time and I shall always be grateful to Joe and Carol not only for the opportunity, but for their encouragement, for all their pre-trip work, and most of all, for the inspiration to do such an adventure.
By my recall, there were about ten motorcycles, the idea being that the bike of choice was a "Tiddler", which by FSSNOC description and use is a 250cc or smaller Four-Stroke Single. An alternate choice was offered those who rode two-up, their mount could be up to 650cc in size. The end result was a duke's mixture of mostly Tiddlers of some description, plus one 500cc Honda and one 650cc BMW, both hauling double.
One of the oddest players in this motorized game of chance was Alan's own ride, a 250cc twin-cylinder Kawasaki that had more the appearance of a "F-16 Fighter Jet without wings" than a motorcycle. Alan was and is into massive gas mileage numbers and one of the greatest tools in his considerable inventory is the tool of aerodynamics. While my Honda's gas mileage was often in the highly commendable mid-to-high 80s range, his alloy-bodied rocket was more into 140mpg and more! But, I digress...
Laing's trip in 1915 was 3842 miles. Most would say that now days the USA is considered to be about 3500 miles across, more or less, depending on the route. I can't say for Alan, but my route in total was 9000 miles plus, but keep in mind that one has to actually cross the continent twice to be given credit for riding across it once, coast-to-coast. How so, you might ask?
Picture this; I reside in the center of the USA, so I leave my house on the Honda, riding east to the Atlantic coast at Kitty Hawk. There, I turnabout and proceed back west.
11 days, 12 hours, 37 minutes later, I find myself setting on the now quiet Honda, gazing at the Pacific ocean as it tirelessly and repeatedly lapped the shoreline of California. After an over-priced victory meal and a good nights rest, I fire-up the Honda and ride east again, to arrive at my garage door in Kansas a few days later, the overall trip taking 21 glorious days.
So how did I ride 9000 miles to and fro across the USA? Isn't 3500 mi. + 3500 mi. = 7000 miles, right?
Simple ... each day I, and often others, took the scenic route, many a day was well in excess of 500 miles by the time I would leave the motel site on Highway 50, drop (usually) south to pickup some twisty roads for the day, then end up that evening back with the group on Highway 50 for fun and food. I think there was one night in Missouri that Alan, Lynn and Johnnie Pittman, and I didn't make it back, as we overnighted in Bolivar, MO.
So how does one compare riding a similar route in 1914 or 1915 to this particular ride in 2014? As I recall, Cannonball Baker writes about having a day where he had nine (9) tire punctures and he talks about riding railroad right-a-ways and bridges! And, don't forget, this was in a day with few roads going west to east with any continuity, case in point, it would be 46 years before the beginning of Route 66!
If you guessed that we made way better time, you'd be wrong! Cannonball Baker rode his Indian in 1914, starting at exactly the same start point (that was unplanned and we had no foreknowledge of Baker's trip!) and riding to the same coast that we did ... his time, as reported by RIDER MAGAZINE I do believe, was 11 days, 12 hours, and 10 minutes!
He BEAT us by 27 minutes!
Thank you, Alan, #5286 and RIDER MAGAZINE ... for the enjoyable peek back into time from a two-wheeled perspective. From my memories and from reading multiple accounts of those early day motorcycle travelers, I can only attempt to imagine what trans-continental riding would have been like back in the black and white days, but my solace is that I bet they would freak-out with the challenges of cross-country travel today in "modern" USA.
They were born back then, we were born now ... the remaining things in common? The sheer magnitude of our country and our conveyance of choice, the motorcycle.
Since I don't give advise, I have chosen to write this comment in first person...
My personal view? "Leave my own tracks, Write my own stories ... this is my time".
Jack, FSSNOC #000/Director
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FOR SALE: 1997 Suzuki DR650 ... electric start model ... 22000 miles ... some new components included ... motor is partially disassembled (top end?) ... clean title ... contact Doc. Russell at 620-663-6150 (FSSNOC #4073 - Kansas) ... $500.00 OBO ... Great project possibilities ... Thanks!
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Posts below are from an earlier update ... see the other pages on this site for more content. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
THOUGHTS ON A SOGGY DAY
My First Road Trip ... Steve Oakman, #5266
The year was 1972. I was a kid, sixteen years old. My father had gotten me a 1967 HD Sprint. To me, it seemed pretty big as I’d never ridden a motorcycle before. I practiced in the driveway until I felt comfortable with it. Then I raced it across the yard to get acquainted with its speed. When summer came I took to the open road.
I rode to my uncle’s farm, about 120 miles north of where we lived. Dashing down the two lane highway at 50 miles per hour was exhilarating. It took me all morning as there was one particular bolt which kept coming loose. I had to stop often to hand tighten it as I had no tools (I told you, just a kid). When I got to the farm my uncle gave me a small vice grip to tighten that bolt up good. I still have that grip and carry it on every trip I make now.
I was bitten hard by the motorcycle bug. It’s been a lifelong infection. Every summer for the last twenty some years I’ve been riding to the mountains of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. It never gets old. I always see and experience new things.
Being in this club (FSSNOC) has really gotten me into the simplicity and fun of riding single cylinder motorcycles slowly over the back roads. I’ve owned and ridden bigger touring machines with two, three, and four cylinders and tons of power and speed, but they were in no way more enjoyable for me. Now I travel slowly (usually about 45 to 50) so I can take everything in. It is so relaxing to travel this way. A day stretches on forever. I still seem to arrive where I’m going too quickly.
Meeting some of the club members has been the best part of my membership. I am glad there are so many who have this interest in motorcycles. It’s definitely a big family. In this crazy modern world, it’s good to know there are still these kinds of people. I hope we all get to Keep On Thumpin’ for a long, long time. - Steve Oakman #5266
I liked Joel's SR500 picture posted here at the Thumper Garage last week and I've been keeping in touch with him on the progress he's making on the airplane he's building.
Earlier today, I had a destination in mind for one of my Royal Enfields. I had to ride into a stiff north wind and it was a pretty cold day but it's supposed to snow in two days and I didn't want to pass up the perfect day. Yes, I've got those knobby tires too, which work well on gravel roads but not so great on pavement (too slippery). Also, I don't think I ever sent you that website for next years possible café-- Keep On Thumpin!!! Steve Oakman, #5266 - Nebraska
Yo Steve ... Soggy day, indeed! (See the Event Page) Let me say, that your photo above is ABSOLUTELY mouth-watering! Wow, what a stunner ... made me want to turn back the clock, for sure. My first "big" bike was the big tank model of this same motorcycle, a 1967 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPRINT . What a trip down memory lane, my friend.
You left me a message on the club phone ... about a new sweatshirt for your bride. Go to the Club Store page on this website and check it out... Basically, Sweatshirts are $10 more than a t-shirt and you can get about any color if available and now days it will have the "GOT TORQUE" logo on the front and our regular club logo on the back. Some folks like to order one size larger when they order sweatshirts, makes it easier to fit over other clothing, etc ... that's up to you. I'm wearing a white one right now and it is nice and cozy, one of the great things about the winter months is the temperatures are right for wearing sweatshirts, and I like that ... so order up from FSSNOC by USPS mail, make checks to: FSSNOC, INC. and mail to: FSSNOC, P.O. Box 1809, Hutchinson, KS. 67504-1809
As for that ThumperCafe site, looks like a good idea ... I'll do some checking on it and get back to you.
Best Wishes from ThumperVille ... Jack, #000
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From Phil Schreck, FSSNOC #162 - Oklahoma
https://youtu.be/O2BiV9h-h0A
https://www.pipeburn.com/home/2018/11/02/royal-enfield-classic-350-speedway.html
https://pipeburn.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=063c60c8e413a6cb82748c68f&id=bf49dbd2f0&e=1895b7795e
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FOR SALE: 1997 Suzuki DR650 ... electric start model ... 22000 miles ... some new components included ... motor is partially disassembled (top end?) ... clean title ... contact Doc. Russell at 620-663-6150 (FSSNOC #4073 - Kansas) ... $500.00 OBO ... Great project possibilities ... Thanks!
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"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" POSTS BELOW ARE FROM AN EARLIER UPDATE:
HOME SWEET HOME
... on the Nebraska prairie
Above was a pic of my 1979 SR500 Yamaha in front of an abandoned home.
Joel, #5190 - Nebraska
Interesting, Joel ... Those tires look to be knobbies. This must be your back-road/trail SR500? Cool! A year of so back, I gave a little thought to getting a new Yamaha SR400 to make a "backroad bomber" out of ... I planned to change out the fork tubes for some custom length tubes, maybe add a couple inches, get some longer rear shocks, some scrambler handlebars, etc. I think it would have worked... #000 P.S. Awesome shot, Joel!!
FOR SALE: 1978 SR500 YAMAHA I'm reluctantly selling my 1978 YAMAHA SR500.
(Not in the photo above) A beautiful machine. $4,000+ spent on upgrades. For sale: $2,000!
For info, contact Joel #5190 Nebraska ejcalhoun75@gmail.com.
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ROYAL ENFIELD RHAPSODY
Jack and club members,
Thought I'd drop you a note about not passing up this semi-perfect day for a spin on the C5. Rode it up to my Mom's to check on her and after our visit took the long way home with a quick dash on the Freeway. It always feels so good to ride this Enfield. It has a unique way of relaxing you and clearing your head of the things that don't matter so much. Anyway, what exactly is that quote about the perfect day? Hope you're not getting too muddy down there on the back roads.
Steve #5266 - Nebraska
" WAIT NOT ON THE PERFECT DAY LEST THE PERFECT DAY ESCAPE YOU" ... in the map window of #000's tankbag!
"DON'T WAIT FOR THE PERFECT DAY. TO MAKE IT A PERFECT DAY, DANCE THE WHOLE DAY, SING EVERY HOUR, AND LOVE EVERY MOMENT"
"MY KINGDOM, MY KINGDOM ... FOR A PERFECT DAY"
Yo Steve ... Haven't yet transitioned over to dirt roads here in ThumperVille. Still enjoying a goodly measure of Autumn color and pavement, both on the Honda CBR250R and the Enfield Continental GT535. October is usually a premium month to ride here in ThumperVille, but this year, not so much. It couldn't stop raining until about 10 days ago, been pretty nice ever since, 'cept last couple of days were a little cool and cloudy.
Local farmers are about to pull their collective hair out, some need to harvest soybeans, some need to drill in wheat, most fields and most back roads are mud-mud-mud!
By the way, good (but too short) article about a guy riding across the USA in 1915 in RIDER magazine this month, just got my issue today (Thank You, Ken Conrad, #4800 - Montana).
Before I go, Steve ... Thanks for the note above and I concur, riding a Royal Enfield is something special. I can come close on the Honda CBR by reducing my road speed, but close is it ... I suspect riding a "country lane" astraddle a well-running vintage English bike would be very similar to the RE. - #000.
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THE JEROME REPORT ...
Mr. Thumper,
The other day I was looking at a map of the area around Jerome, AZ. I saw that county route 72 headed north out of Jerome. I hadn't ever noticed such a road when riding through Jerome so it kind of intrigued me. Along the dirt road (labeled "primitive" by the county) was the town of Perkinsville. Hmm. About 30 miles to Jerome and 20 miles of "primitive road" to Perkinsville and back for a nice little 100 mile ride. Perfect for the KLX250!
So after lunch, we head off for Jerome, weather is pretty much perfect. The KLX is in fine fetal and we have a nice ride to Jerome. Hmm, only seem to be two roads heading off to the north. First one turns out not to be the right one - though it does lead to an interesting mining museum and a beautiful view to the north and east. Can easily see Flagstaff Mountain with its snow cap off to the north.
I try the next road which leads to an old gold mine and ghost town and - yes! - county road 72. Starts out smooth and twisty with some spectacular views and equally spectacular drop offs. Road gets rougher as I head north but really nothing that any car couldn't handle - at greatly reduced speed.
The map says that Perkinsville is just past the junction of 72 and 70. I see a sign for Perkins Ranch, and see the ranch buildings off to the east. Ride on a bit and find that, well, there is no Perkinsville in Perkinsville! But you know, it was a great ride. Since it's getting late, I turn the trusty little KLX around and we head back (ever notice how the same road looks so different from the other direction?). Roll into the garage just as the sun is setting.
Another great Thumper ride!
Kerry - #4543 - ARIZONA
A new address can mean new roads ... and that is usually fun! Hi Kerry, good to hear from you. Would have enjoyed a photo to go with this report (grin), and, by the way, our website layout favors a horizontal format pic as opposed to a vertical shot ... should you see fit to send a shot.
A couple of years ago, we had a FSSNOC event not far from Jerome, as you will recall. I spent a couple of hours in, or perhaps I should say, "on" a mountainside junkyard that was called"Ghost" something there in or by Jerome. It is advertised in Jerome flyers ... but anyway, it was $5 and it was money well spent ... locate it and check it out sometime, worth your while... -#000
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CAUTION - CAUTION ... LINK below
https://advrider.com/swm-is-bringing-its-super-dual-adventure-bikes-to-the-us-aim-expo-2018/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_content=10_24_2018
Except for the ridiculous seat height (Not all of us are 6'8" Vikings!), this bike from SWM looks pretty cool. The pannier frames appear to be ready for Hepco & Becker boxes.
Joe Gilmore, #661 - Maryland
Thanks to Phil Schreck and Joe Gilmore who both sent our site the above link ... quite an interesting piece. Thanks, guys! - #000
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Don't forget the other pages on this website, check them out before you ride off into the sunset, okay?
Club Members ... sign up a friend to our club this week.
Non-members ... guys and gals, it is great that you visit us here at the Thumper Garage, but we'd really like to have some of you ... no ... make that all of you join our club. We need the numbers to Keep On Thumpin', ya' know?
Posts below are from an earlier update... Cheers! - Jack, #000/Director
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(Website Details and Instructions: )
Hello Thumper Enthusiasts...
I'm Jack Robinson (FSSNOC #000), your club Director. It is an honor to introduce you to THE THUMPER GARAGE. This mini-venue is in addition to our legendary hard copy THUMPER NEWS quarterly magazine. After enjoying this page, please visit our other pages on this site. Go to the masthead above to make it happen...
You are encouraged to thump by the THUMPER GARAGE weekly. This is a FREE site for you and your friends.
Members may contact us anytime 24/7 with comments, conversation, stories, or questions via a mailed letter, a phone call or an e-mail. When you E-mail, please give us your first name, your FSSNOC member number, and your state. You'll receive a courtesy confirmation E-mail back. Our actual response to your E-mail will generally be posted on the following Thursday's THUMPER GARAGE posting so be sure to tune back in then... (Address-phone number-email address is below... **)
We encourage you to join our club: Complete the application found elsewhere on this site (click on "more" above) and mail it to us with $40 dues for a 12 month membership or save a few bucks by sending $75 for a 24 month membership. Include your shirt size so we can gift you a FREE club t-shirt if this is your initial membership.
A subscription to THUMPER NEWS magazine, mailed to your mailbox, is included in your membership as well.
Our U.S. POSTAL address is: FSSNOC P.O. Box 1809, Hutchinson, Ks 67504-1809.
To call our club, phone 620-663-1869 or you may send an E-mail: FSSNOCTHUMPERS@yahoo.com
NOTICE: Please understand that your E-mail will likely be reproduced on this site. Any/all subject matter and information may be used in-part or edited and will become the property of the Four-Stroke Singles National Owners Club and FSSNOC,INC. All included content in Thumper News or The Thumper Garage is solely for entertainment, not advise....
THE CLUB STORE ... CLICK ON IT WHEN YOU ARE DONE HERE?
The Autumn season means awesome riding for many areas ... time to get some new club gear, eh? Order yourself a bright new yellow and black club cap, a couple cotton t-shirts, and at least one sweatshirt to wear under your riding gear. Remember, every day is FSSNOC gear day. Tell the world about our club ... Thanks!
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YOU'VE JUST VISITED THE THUMPER GARAGE. PLEASE CLICK ON THE "MORE" ON THE MASTHEAD ABOVE ... AND CHECK OUT ALL THE OTHER PAGES OF THIS SITE. PLEASE CONSIDER BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE FOUR-STROKE SINGLES NATIONAL OWNERS CLUB (FSSNOC) TODAY ...Thank You! - Jack, FSSNOC #000/Director
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