FSSNOC    THUMPER GARAGE   
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     Dear Triple Zip ( 000 ... or is that a nest full of Goose eggs ?)

     Anyway, Jack...

     In my small town in Minnesota we had a Sears catalog store. You could order almost anything.  They usually had a Fridge and a washer and a mower on display, and in the early 60s, one day a Puch/Allstate "Twingle".

     The next one I saw was in Helena Montana in the '90s.  A buddy got a non-runner and was able to get parts and get it running.  His memory is that it was "a smoker"

     Probably too much time wasted on Twingle but my friend sent a note: it appears that before the production end of the Twingle, it had oil injection and still made clouds of mosquito repellent !
Kim, #5422 - Montana
P.S. - I almost put my Kansas Motorcycle Museum T-shirt on before I typed this. 

     Hey, Kim ... Thanks for thinking of us!  Good to hear from ya...
     Definitely not time wasted!  Oddly enough, it took a Halloween picture of a 63 year old two-stroke to get that much response here at the Thumper Garage ... figure that one out? Puch didn't have a strangle hold on laying down a smoke-screen.  I remember when Kawasaki had those go-fast triples, was it in the '80s?  Those guys had the fastest motorcycles in our local club but because of the copious volume of smoke put out at road speed, they had to ride at the back of our pack due to peer pressure from the other members.  Been hearing about some pretty cool temps up your way, hope you are staying warm...  - #000.
(FYI ... Kim was our cover model on Thumper News a few issues back, you'd likely remember him and his bright red Royal Enfield Continental GT535 Cafe Racer.)

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     COMPUTER PROBLEMS ... really?  Surely not... (grin - #000)

     I’m a little behind on FSSNOC discussions due to my computer acting up.  At least my motorcycle and the back-up motorcycles still run fine.

     Regarding the chain lube discussions a couple of weeks ago, I use white lithium grease and my buddy Bruce uses 90 wt gear lube.  I’ve found a big can of white lithium grease goes a long way and it is cheap!

     Backing up one step about chain lubes and drive chains.  I generally use non-“O” ring chains.  As the top motorcycle fuel economy competitor this year, I’ve found the non-“O” ring chains to have less rolling resistance. People say that non-“O” ring chains don’t last as long but I’ve had them last over 40,000 miles.  I always buy quality chains though.

     In a few more days I’m off on another motorcycle adventure.  I’ve figured out a way to extend the summer riding season.  I’ll be back in a few weeks.
     Alan Smith California (5286)

     Hi Alan ... Glad you are baaaaccccckkkk!  To your point on non-O-ring chains, I recall that drag-racers used them (non-O-ring) because of a lot less friction in the chain itself, made a huge difference in speed and lower ETs.  My opinion is that O-ring chains exist simply as a convenience to us modern folk who don't like a greasy rear wheel, etc - period!  The last chain I purchased is the newer version of the 0-ring chain, the X-ring chain.  Supposed to be vastly superior ... we shall see, we shall see... 
Enjoy your time away ... you must be going to Baja?  - #000

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     A couple of links from Ken Conrad, #4800 - Montana

     Ridden "ADV" lately?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZegEs2u6ooo  

     Remember.....?
https://thunderpress.net/motorcycles/the-tecumseh-time-capsule/2019/11/08.htm  

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    Wishing Carrie a speedy recovery.
 
     You need her help. Looks like she hasn't been proof reading your murmurings. Taking a lemonade brake?? Sorry, I didn't have anything worthwhile to write about this week so had to resort to this. 
    Thump On, Vic Force, #3701, NC

     Finally!  Finally, someone responded to that tongue-in-cheek usage of break/brake ... are not they both related to stopping?   I've been doing that for years!!  Even "spell-check" ignores it!  Finally, somebody noticed ... Thank You, Vic!! - #000.

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​        FOR SALE:  1994 Kawasaki KLX650.
     5,400 miles, all stock except the Jardine exhaust. There are rear pannier racks, they appear to be Happy Trails. Also a large aluminum skid plate. Tires are excellent. Very good condition for 25 years old, Possible trade for a Yamaha TW or a dual sport 250. Call or text James, FSSNOC #5310, at 620-200-0599.

     The above advertised Thumper is just down the road from the Thumper Garage.  I haven't ridden it but I can tell you that it looks really nice and that model is a rare bear, at least in these parts! - #000.

......................................................... Wow! I almost forgot to give photo credit for that dyno-mite photo in our masthead this week!  That would have been BAD!  It is a GREAT picture and the shutterbug's name is Fast, George Fast, FSSNOC #5263 - MO.  I'm relatively sure this is somewhere along the Buffalo River in Arkansas.  George spends lots of time meandering about down in that part of the world ... the lucky dude!  Thank You, George ... - #000........................................................................................

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          Bee sure to visit the other pages on this website... 
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     THE "HAPPY HALLOWEEN" BIKE ... CAN YOU TELL US WHAT IT WAS?
... (as shown two weeks ago on our masthead ... photo shown last week was another such bike in a more normal setting.   (Our gratitude to the Kansas Motorcycle Museum in Marquette, Kansas for allowing the above photo ... if you are in the area, worth your time!)
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      MY GUESS ... is that the bike is a DKW, Horax, or one of the AutoUnion derivatives, huh?     Lynn Pittman, FSSNOC #0139 - Colorado

     After sending the above e-mail, Lynn called the FSSNOC club phone at 620-663-1869 and verbally changed his answer to Puch/Allstate.  Seems he has a friend nearby who has what appears to be an exact duplicate of the bike in last week's photo, so much so that Lynn inquired if it indeed was that particular bike.  We had quite a discussion about the possibility of it being a "twingle" where two pistons on a double rod share a common crank journal.  Sounds exotic but it apparently was a very "everyday" model in the Puch line of the time.  Fun stuff, Lynn!  - #000    

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     Hi :000:
     The bike this week looks like a Sears Allstate, Made by Puch !!!
It looks like it may be a 175cc "Twingle"
     Thump Thump!

     Hi again,
     I looked at the picture again. It looks like a 250 PUCH !!
     Thump Thump !
     Phil Schreck, a.k.a. "Three Fenders" - FSSNOC #0162 - Oklahoma

     Good input, Three Fenders!  You are wise beyond your years! - #000

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     This has to be an Allstate (Puch) Twingle, huh?

     I didn't recognize the email address so I can't give credit to anyone here, but the answer is spot on!  Way-2-Go, Mystery Person. - #000

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        Hello JR
      I've got it, maybe. '50's Puch 250, minus the carb that should be sticking out at the base of the cylinder.  Back then I would have sold my sister into slavery to buy one of them, except, luckily, I didn't have a sister. 
     Thump on, or is it ring-a-ding-ding this week?
     Vic Force, #3701, NC

     Good info, Vic!  It is (was) a good looking bike.  Did you ever get to ride one, despite the unavailability of a sister?  -  #000

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     Dan Cooley, FSSNOC #4323 - California ... Maybe a 350 JAWA twin.

     This was a phone call from Dan, thank you for calling, Dan!  We had such a fun conversation:  I relayed to Dan that it wasn't a 350 JAWA twin. He then asked if I'd ever seen such a machine? 

    I replied that not only had I laid eyes on one, I had a story about the occasion and that I witnessed a guy win a $100 in the process.  He begged me to share my story: (well, maybe not ... but here it is anyway)

     I remember it as a miserable day with dark skies, ominous clouds, and a persistent drizzling Autumn rain.  Water was dripping from every surface including the weathered eaves of a tiny motorcycle shop here in ThumperVille. 

     Directly under the west eave of the ancient building, surely an old gas station from the '40s or '50s, was parked a lone motorcycle, a 350 JAWA twin.  Its once rich maroon finish, in reality now a faded reddish-almost pink, no doubt the result of years of neglect and misuse, seemed to come alive here in the subdued light of the dreary day, as it endured a seemingly constant layer of rainwater cascading off its aged sheet metal. 

     It must have been a Sunday or perhaps a late Saturday afternoon.  Whatever the day, I recall being a part of a group of motorcyclists lounging about the shop, very much atypical to today's motorcycle selling and servicing establishments.  One party commented about the forlorn condition of the JAWA.  Others in the group agreed.  

     As if on cue, another said, "I'd bet a hundred dollars that it doesn't even run!"

     Another piped-up, "Bet you it'll start first kick!"

     "No way!", replied the first party.  Long story short, a wager was voiced and agreed upon and the sodden motorbike was unceremoniously dragged into the dry of the shop's already cluttered interior.  Sure enough, one kick later, it coughed, belched a huge cloud of blue smoke out each exhaust and set there ... running! 

     "Pay me!", screamed the victorious party! 

     That was in the '60s and I remember it and the 350 JAWA twin to this day...

     Dan recalled that he sold these machines for ABT Motor Sales in Chicago, IL in 1962.  Made in Czechoslovakia, a shiny new example went for $600.00, a new BMW twin from Germany was $1100.00.  He added that the 350 JAWA owner was instructed to mix oil into the fuel at a healthy ratio of 16 to 1, 12 to 1 during break-in.  Folks quickly learned to NOT follow these machines closely!

     Great phone call, Dan!  Thank You... 

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     Bob Alumbaugh, FSSNOC #5331 - Arizona e-mailed:  No clue what year it is but I'm saying it is a Puch/Allstate 250 Twingle, yes?

     You have a keen eye, Mister Bob! - #000.

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     Kansas Karla, FSSNOC #5365, texted:  Great and fun Thumper Garage!  Not a clue what that motorcycle is, but at one time it must have been beautiful...

     I texted her back:  Starts with "P".  Do some research?

     Kansas Karla:  Ok...

     I texted again with a hint:  Four letter word...

     She countered with:  Pope?

     Me:  Hey, not right but a good guess!   Starts with a "P" and one of the other three letters is a valve... (another hint).

     KK:  I'll research more.  I found Pope far too quickly to be correct.

     Me:  You get one more guess...

     KK:  Okay ... it looks like a Puch split single ... but I'm having trouble finding a four letter bike with a valve as one of the letters ... put me out of my misery, tell me what it is so I can look it up!

     Me (laughing):  A E I O U are valves (vowels), now ... what do you think?

     KK:  I'm going with the Puch.  I really like when you ask questions on T/G, but this one has me stumped. But,, because of the fenders and the light, I'm sticking with the Puch.

     Me:  YOU are correct!!   CONGRATULATIONS!    -  #000

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     The answer, please?   From last week, the mystery bike's owner is Slatz Lowery, FSSNOC #4292 - Ohio. He shared that it is a 1956 175cc Puch ... (most pronounce it like Winnie, the Pooh ... only with a "k" sound on the end.) sold under the Allstate brand by Sears in the USA.  Thank you, Slatz! Thank you all for your participation.  I was amazed that so many people responded and generally with a correct (or nearly so) answer ... color me IMPRESSED! - #000.

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       OUR soon-2-B-out-dated 2019 THUMPER CALENDAR:

     Just wanted to comment on the beautiful centerfold in the calendar (November-December). I'm guessing that's Lloyd's Royal Enfield Himalayan.  It will certainly make the next few months go nicely to be looking at it.  I'm getting ready to mothball mine for the winter as I won't be able to ride anyway.

     I'm sending a picture I got off the RE site so I don't know if you can post it, but it does remind me of a couple of roads I took my Himalayan on.
     P.S.  -- those are C5s or Bullets.

     Hope Carrie is all healed up now.    ...Steve #5266 - Nebraska

     Yo Steve...  Thank you, Carrie is making good progress!  Yes, it is Lloyd's ride.  Those machines are looking better and better to me these days but I sure wouldn't mothball it during the winter.  However, with that said, we likely have a milder season than you do there in Nebraska.  Most or at least many days here, it is okay to ride with enough warm clothes and a good case of cabin fever!!  -  #000.

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      I will be attending the ThumperCafe in Earp, California. 
       Unfortunately, I will not be on a Thumper but I will be on two wheels.  I am looking forward to this event as motorcycling in the winter in North Dakota is not optimal.     Thanks ... Dave Thom, FSSNOC #2585 - North Dakota

     I'll put you on the list for a FREE decal, Dave ... and no problem with what you use to get there.  It can be a Continental Trail-Ways or a borrowed MoPed, or a rental Harley-Davidson, or anything in between or nothing.  The idea is to come Meet, Greet, and Eat with us in the warm temps of sunny California/Arizona. 
     February 5th, 2020 ... See you there! - #000

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           "W I N T E R B R A K E" ... returns 
     Meet us at DUMAS WALKER'S BAR AND GRILL in Earp, California on Wednesday, February 5th, 2020. 
We'll plan to dine as a group about noon, come earlier to get signed-in and for coffee and conversation!
     It's winter-time in much of our world that time of year so use good judgement in your choice of travel vehicle ... ice, snow, and cold temps may exist between your house and Earp, CA.  No matter what that silly groundhog says, come meet, greet, and eat with us in sunny Earp, CA. - just a thump or two west of Parker,Arizona near the AZ./CA. border.
     We call this particular ThumperCafe (#50) the "FSSNOC GROUNDHOG NATIONALS"! Let us know of your expected participation no later than January 1, 2020 and you'll earn yourself a FREE commemorative decal!  Visit this site weekly to view possible updates... 

      Below is a note from a fellow FSSNOC member who is familiar with the area: 

     Hello.  I'm Phil Haglund, member #5008.  I spend the winters at a Campground near Parker, AZ.  I have been doing this for 10 years.

     As you know, in early February, FSSNOC is planning a "WinterBrake" THUMPERCAFE event at Dumas Walkers in Earp, California.  To avoid confusion, Dumas Walkers Bar & Grill , 150275 Turquoise Rd, Earp, California is actually in the community of Big River.  Earp is just a post office across the river from Parker, Arizona. 

     A variety of Hotels and Motels are available in nearby Parker, AZ.  There are Campgrounds on both the California-side and Arizona-side of the state line, however, I think the only tent campgrounds are on the Arizona-side.  

     We enjoy all the many places to visit and the variety of things to see and do in this area.  For example, Death Valley is pretty close and the unique town of Oatman on Route 66 is another nearby and popular destination.  We also visit Tombstone and Bisby, both of which have a lot of interesting Arizona history.  

     Many visitors to this part of the USA come south to escape the cold weather, some stay for one day, or two weeks, or until Spring arrives up North.  I believe this area of the USA has much to offer those who choose to visit during the winter months. -  Phil,  #5008 - Montana/Arizona

     Thank You, Phil!  Great to hear from you!  We are looking forward to our ThumperCafe #50 event in your area.  Thank you so much for suggesting the location, it's going to be fun to be in a warmer climate as opposed to it being winter here in ThumperVille and in most of northern-central USA.  As you indicated above, upon checking on the internet, I discovered a number of lodging facilities listed in nearby Parker, Arizona.  Looks to be a good variety there, however, with that said, it would likely be wise to make plans now for accommodations. Hmmmmm, you say it's warm there? ...  - Jack, #000

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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...
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     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
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NOTICE: Please understand that your E-mail will likely be reproduced on this site. Any/all subject matter and information submitted 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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