FSSNOC THUMPER GARAGE
************************************************************************************ THIS WEBSITE UPDATE IS FOR ... 11-08-18
OUR NEXT ANTICIPATED UPDATE IS ... 11-15-18
See "Website Details and Instruction" section at the bottom of all this great conversation.
***************************************************************
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
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
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
'
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
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!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 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.
******************************************************************************************************************
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.
******************************************************************************************************************
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
******************************************************************************************************************
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
******************************************************************************************************************
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
*****************************************************************************************************************
OH MY GOSH ... NEXT THURSDAY, THE NEXT UPDATE OF THIS 'SITE, WILL BE NOVEMBER!
The year is rushing by, but the good thing? The good thing is that winter riding is a hoot! Can't wait for those nippy clear mornings when the frost is on the pump handle, the sky is crystal "sky" blue, and we hit the dirt backroads ... just the ticket for those who have purchased the exciting new Himalayan 411 Royal Enfield, and by the way, we do have a couple of reviews/roadtest articles in the Thumper News bank, one of which arrived this week, that one thanks to Lloyd Lunde, #5224 - South Dakota.
As for me, I do have something brand new ... a brand new tire leaned against the wall in the garage, ready to go on the Suzuki DR-Z400. I've been hoping it would mount itself but it doesn't look like that is going to happen.
Talking about the seasons, this one, Autumn, is my favorite. Carrie and I were out on the road three different occasions last week, Fast Friday was 385 miles, Saturday was 215 miles, and Monday was 302 miles. I did do an additional 143 miles on Tuesday on an errand of mercy, see the pic on the History Page and some additional commentary on FACEBOOK at Four-Stroke Singles National Owners Club...
Oops! Didn't mean to hog the mike, here ... let's see who else wants to share some comments with you and I today, okay? Thanks everyone for coming by the Thumper Garage, don't forget to invite your friends to stop by as well... Jack, #000
******************************************************************************************************************
Hi FSSNOC club members:
Just now read the latest installment of the Thumper Garage. About riding in winter. I need to relate my recent experience with ice on a motorcycle.
Coming home from the BMWMOA Falling Leaf Rally in Potosi, MO, I hit an icy bridge on Highway I29, north of St. Joseph, MO. The wheels went out from underneath me and the BMW in a heartbeat. We both slid about 50 feet. My K100 got a little banged up but was rideable and made it home. I had even less damage given the fact that I had on good gear. There was so much ice on the bridge that my gear didn't even get hurt. Like sliding on the skating rink. Very fortunate.
Also, I'm putting the finishing touches on a review of my Himalayan Royal Enfield. I'll have it to you in the next week or so.
Keep up the good work.
Lloyd, FSSNOC #5224 - South Dakota
Wow. Lloyd ... bet that ice-related get-off got your attention! Your letter definitely will hopefully serve as a reminder to me and other riders to be aware of the possibility of ice on a bridge. I'm told that the surface of a bridge can ice up before the highway surface due to the retained heat of the earth delaying the ice on the road surface but the bridge doesn't have that benefit, good reminder, for sure! Thanks again, Lloyd ... for the article. Those new Himalayans look mighty tempting, to say the least...
******************************************************************************************************************
Thanks for the well-wishes!
You've mentioned a lot of KS/MO/OK motorcycle museums over the years. The St Francis (Kansas) Motorcycle Museum opened in 2016. Have you visited it? Some great old Thumpers, per their website.
https://stfrancismotorcyclemuseum.org/home
Joe Gilmore #661 - Maryland
Hi Ya, Joe ... Hope those bones are knitting as we speak! As for the Motorcycle Museum in St. Francis, Ks (which is, by the way, very close to Colorado and Nebraska), yes ... I was there to see the bare concrete going up even before any motorcycles were onsite, plus a couple of times since. It's definitely worth a "slow down and smell the roses" visit for anyone who enjoys motorbikes and it is so well done that even someone outside our lifestyle would likely enjoy a stroll through as well. Take note of the BSA Thumper above in the masthead. I plan to get around to talking about it before kickstands up here at the Thumper Garage. Watch for it later in this column. Take due care, my friend...
******************************************************************************************************************
This ad ran last week but I wanted to let it ride for another week, it certainly appears to be a unique and fun machine, would be a great addition to anyone's stable, eh? - #000.
FOR SALE: SR500 YAMAHA I'm reluctantly selling my 1978 YAMAHA SR500. It's a beautiful machine that was resto-modded by two competent and knowledgeable FSSNOC members. It's time for someone els e to enjoy this fantastic machine as much as I have. Over $4,000 spent in improvements. A bargain at $2,000!
For info, contact Joel #5190 ejcalhoun75@gmail.com.
Thanks, Joel, #5190 - NEBRASKA
**************************************************************************************
CHECK OUT THAT B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L BSA GOLD STAR
I was so excited to see it that I did the cardinal sin of getting my reflection in the shiny curvature of the gas tank, and I do know better! Sorry ... but it is what it is and I'm happy to share it with you today...
It was after our FAST FRIDAY lunch. As you may know, Carrie and I have a long history of doing lunch each and every Friday, some couples call it "date night" ... we joke that we originally called it "Feast Friday", but because of the internet using up all the available supply of "e", we soon dropped the "e" and wound up with FAST, which ironically is the opposite of FEAST, but it works for us so now we have FAST FRIDAY.
It wasn't long before we began to invite other FSSNOC members to come join us at our table on these FAST FRIDAY lunches. Last Friday, we fired-up the Honda CBRs and gleefully motored the 170 miles (lots of Autumn color) to arrive in Harveyville, you know, like ThumperVille ... it, Harveyville, is in the northeast-upper central part of the state and that area, compared to our local wheat fields, does offer more crooked roads, more rivers and hills, more prairie grass, and, of course, our particular dining spot for today ... as suggested prior by Jerry Valdez, FSSNOC #4031 and by Arlyn Lundquist, FSSNOC #018, both of Kansas. Thank You both!
The story goes that Kevin and Bobbi Rayzor of Harveyville recently converted a building formerly used as a local tire shop into a delightful venue where I have little doubt that anyone, no matter their appetite, would go away and not be full as a tick! We had a party of twelve and everyone was impressed! www.rayzorautoinc.com
And, the name ... Hell Rayzors Roadhouse, 13404 Harveyville Road, Harveyville, Ks. 66431 785-851-0863
It's a people place, case in point: Bobbi overheard us talking about pie, or the lack of ... so when I went up to pay our bill, she told me, "Next time you guys come, you call me and I'd be happy to bake you some pies. That would not be a problem..."
Tell you what, we'll do just that because we do plan a return visit! What a tidy, colorful, well decorated and interesting place, and they even have some overnight lodging available, so I've been told.
It always amazes me that when we get out of our little home area, you know, those ridden daily roads, just what can happen. Our riding day never goes as we planned, and that's a good thing. This day didn't disappoint. As per our earlier plan, after our lunch, Carrie and I rode from H-Ville west and north to Alma, where we picked-up old Highway 10. This little used strip of meandering tarmac, now called Skyline Drive, spirits itself out of town ever so discreetly that if one isn't paying sharp attention ... most probably miss it. While making the sharp turn off the main drag in Alma, I catch a glimmer of sunlight bouncing off an alloy tank ... a quick mid-block U-turn, one of ten that day (grin), in seconds, we were drooling over a vintage Norton in the back of a late model pickup truck parked at the curb, the owner nowhere to be seen. Hmmmmmmm...
We rode west, enjoying the curves and the colors of Autumn mentioned earlier. A few miles later, we came upon a tiny wooden sign peeking through the gently swaying high grass along the roadside, the sign simply stated, "VOLLAND". Brakes on, we slow for the turn onto the gravel surfaced one lane road that leads to the tiny village.
Volland is what is left now days of an early day Kansas town. My first visit was in the late 1990s. I was aimlessly riding about on the little used dirt/rock roads of the area on a day quite like today in the early winter, when I, riding solo and quite by accident, happened onto the literal ghost town of Volland.
Deciding to take a break, I parked my Honda XR650L, getting off to look around and stretch my legs. Much to my amazement, there was an old wooden store there that still had merchandise on the shelves from years ago, and I do mean YEARS ago! Wooden rockers hung from the ceiling along the wall, rows of old fashioned work shoes were on the shelves, it was like the shopkeeper had died in the night and no one had the key to open the door. A large window pane had been broken and a piece of glass was missing from the upper left corner, no doubt allowing rain, wind, and snow access to the interior of the store. The first shoe closest to the broken window was grotesquely distorted from the repeated effects of the weather, each shoe down the line was effected marginally less, finally some shoes looked to be as new, though all were covered with a thick layer of dust and cobwebs. I was astonished. Nobody was there. It was like I was on Mars. I've never forgotten that day...
There were other buildings that day, one was a double story red brick building of some elegance, even there in its state of decay. That building, since renovated into the sparkling venue you see in the photo above, is now used for social situations, you might google Volland, Ks with some success, though I haven't done that.
As we rode into Volland last Friday, there to my delight, were several antique and vintage bikes being unloaded from various conveyances, these particular bikes were some of the hand-picked examples for the now-annual Volland Motorcycle Show, which happened to be (choke) the next day, Saturday and Sunday. I was tempted to pitch my tent, but alas, I had no tent...
The BSA GOLD STAR was just one of those fine machines. The owner of the now remarkable brick building that I had noticed a couple of decades before and that you see in the photo above learned that in 1914 two lads from Volland had ridden motorcycles to the World's Fair (perhaps in Chicago?) so that inspired him to respond with the hosting of an annual show about the history of motorcycles. How cool is that?
It is days like Friday that fuel my love for motorcycling. When I was but a lad, my first motorcycle was a Cushman Scooter ($50) and that was a long, long time ago and throughout the ensuing decades, each day, I enjoy swinging my leg over a motorcycle to do it all over again. It never gets old, it never seems redundant. In the thirty years that I sold motorcycles, I was always keenly aware that I was indeed sharing my love of motorcycling with each and every customer ... and that, my friends, was what motivated me each and every day. May the suffering never end...
As always, we ask that you enjoy this website each week and be sure to visit the other pages available on the masthead above as there is more Thumper stuff there ... and if you have an interest in becoming a member of our national club, we'd love to have you join us. To make that happen, and I hope you do, go to the Membership Application Page on this site for more details. Have a great week, we hope to see you again next week here at the Thumper Garage. Keep On Thumpin' - Jack, #000/Director
******************************************************************************************************************
(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!
**************************************************************************************************************
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
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<