FSSNOC THUMPER GARAGE
************************************************************************************ THIS WEBSITE UPDATE IS FOR ... 12-13-18
OUR NEXT ANTICIPATED UPDATE IS ... 12-20-18
See "Website Details and Instruction" section at the bottom of all this great conversation.
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NEW FSSNOC PRODUCT RELEASE:
FOUR-STROKE SINGLES NATIONAL OWNERS CLUB "HOODIE" SWEATSHIRT WITH HEAVY DUTY FULL LENGTH ZIPPER ... LIMITED TIME OFFER: $36.00 each
ORDER A MINIMUM OF TWO AND GET FREE USPS MAILING TO A SINGLE ADDRESS WITHIN THE USA ...
OR
ORDER ONE FOR $36.00, ADD $9.00 FOR USPS MAILING WITHIN THE USA...
ARRIVAL BY CHRISTMAS IS NOT GUARANTEED ...
SIZES ARE: MD, LG, XL, and XXL
WE CAN SPECIAL ORDER LARGER SIZES, ADD $5.00 PER "X" OVER XXL ...
Color choice of actual Gildan Heavy Blend zippered sweatshirt is limited. You may note your color preference however if that color isn't available, we will revert to the color of our example above. Please be aware that the colors used in the club logos are red and black.
You may also choose the color of the words "GOT TORQUE" on the front, choose Red or Black ... if no choice is indicated, we will choose for you.
This offer is open only to current members of FSSNOC.
Mail your order with M.O. or check in payment to:
FSSNOC P.O. Box 1809, Hutchinson, Ks. 67504-1809
Please include your cell phone number should we have questions or issues with your order - Thank You! #000
View the other pages on this site by clicking on the masthead above...
Have an awesome week! Keep On Thumpin' ... Jack, #000
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STARTER WHOAs...
Jack,
After reading your comments and Ken responding with additional information, I sought further solutions and came up with something called a slag(?) clutch that turns the starter sprocket connected to the crankshaft and allows it to freewheel when the starter is not engaged. As my starter motor spins nicely, I feel this is what my problem is. I will let you know if this turns out to be the case. If anyone else has ideas, please feel free to let me know at snoakman@msn.com.
Steve Oakman #5266 (See Steve's original comments in "A Roller Coaster Winter" below...)
POSTS BELOW ARE FROM LAST WEEK.....................................................................................................................................
GOOD MORNING, THUMPER ENTHUSIASTS! (12-06-18)
Great to see you here at the THUMPER GARAGE today! Pretty nice winter day here in ThumperVille, 'bout 35 degrees, little wind, partly sunny skies ... not bad at all! Hope your day is even better...
Funny thing happened to me on the way to the THUMPER GARAGE today ... I was driving North, Carrie, my wife, was driving South ... on the same street at the same time! We stopped, visited a bit, wished each other well. Before we parted, Carrie handed me the mail, seems she had picked it up earlier. That little chance meeting was fun, made me smile to see my bride all "fixed-up" and going down the road of life ... gave my heart a little "pitter-patter".
Back to that funny thing ... once in the door at the THUMPER GARAGE, I shuffled thorough the mail, and there it was! One letter addressed to me.! Across the front of the #10 size envelope was emblazoned, "your personal invitation!" in bold script. Wow! Somebody is having a birthday? A motorcycle shop is having an Open House? Then I noticed that it was mailed with bulk postage. Hummmm? Must be a BIG party? Hey, might be a new motorcycle shop opening in the area? I ripped it open, anxious to read just what exciting event I was being personally invited to attend, only to read: "Come by today for a free hearing aid assessment..."
Poooof ... went my party ballon. - #000
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To FSSNOC #5266 - Nebraska
Hey Steve, (See last week's post below) ...
I see that member #4800 responded to your dilemma. Any help? Or did you resort to moving south for the winter? Thanks to Ken Conrad for the words of wizdom! Keep On Thumpin! - #000
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We hear from our friends at the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, IA.
Today's topic on the site shown below is the Honda CBX ... a bike with not one, not two, but six little four-stroke singles all in a row! I, working at a Honda dealership, had a brand new candy apple red one as a personal demo. Wow, that thing was fast and smooooooth! Count those "zeros" 'cause that was how many holes in the CBX's block - six. I remember one time a member from Wichita Falls, Texas rode one to a Thumper event... Boy Howdy, did he catch some good-natured flack! - #000.
http://www.nationalmcmuseum.com/
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Hi Clay, #2440 ... Thanks for the address update! Best Wishes to ya! - #000.
P.S. See the Event Page ... Carrie and I have a weekly ritual of dining out somewhere in the area and we always welcome and invite any FSSNOCer who lives in the area or who may be cruising through our state to come sit at our table. We'd love to have you show up sometime... :)
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Hey Jack!
I saw where you posted a few of the bikes that I'm planning to sell. Thanks!
Although I will confess that I was surprised to see them posted on (and monopolizing!) Thumper Thursday last week.
My "joe.gilmore1@Gmail,com" address is correct. But Carol just disconnected the phone number---to the great dismay of telemarketers everywhere.
Hope you find a "Winter Thumper" ASAP---or are you just going to re-commission one of the bikes that you winterized?
Joe Gilmore #661
Hey, back to you, Joe! Happy to be of service. Hope you get some action on those beauties (See last week's post below).
Haven't spent my rubles yet ... can't find anyone who wants them bad enough, I guess. I am moving about the area seeing what my options are, even doing some "out of the box" thinking, and you know how dangerous that is, eh? - #000.
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FOR SALE: 2013 SUZUKI TU250XL ... Is silver and black in color, only 1100 miles. Has clear TN title. Now for only $2500.00! Great bike for two-lanes and around town. Good beginner's bike. Help me out, "FizzKnockers" ... I really need to sell this bike. The bike is located in Jackson, Tennessee. Phillip R. Brown 731-267-9245 e-mail: phillipthumper49@gmail.com
Thanks and Merry Christmas to all FizzKnockers!
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MY ONGOING QUEST TO BUY A THUMPER ...
Continues on, now past the third week, soon to be a month since I've had something to ride. I do have other bikes but we have what I and many others refer to as the "Salt Season" here in ThumperVille. It happens like clockwork every November, the street get an overlay of white powder which matures to a lingering white dust in the air, perfect for rusting spokes and nipples, great for discoloring the inside of all nuts, screws, bolts, etc on your otherwise pristine motorcycle. Because it becomes airborne with each passing vehicle, it goes everywhere, places that you'd never think about and places that can't be cleaned or serviced.
Another issue is the suitability of a motorcycle for wintertime use. For me, that means it must have tires with dirt-worthy tread as I normally in the course of daily use gravitate to the back dirt roads when I leave town, which is every chance I get. The other machines in my stable do not meet this requirement. I found out years ago that one can ride a dirt bike on the street with a lot more success than one can ride a street bike in the dirt ... anyone got a comment?
As most of you know, my last bike, sold a few weeks ago, was a Suzuki DR-Z400. I bought it new in 2012, put 36,000+ miles on it, and now I am walking ... well, driving about in my Pickup. The scary thing is that I am getting to like being warm and comfy in that truck during these winter days, and that ain't good!
My first knee-jerk action was to test ride a Kawasaki Zz125 Pro, that little "Grom" looking bike. Thought it might work for a post office bike and a few dirt roads. Well. long story short, it didn't fill my bill or wind my clock, though they are kinda fun to fool around on. My concern was those small tires and that short wheelbase that would surely throw me over the handlebars on a sandy road! For only paved use or camping or a pit bike ... yeah, might be the cat's meow? I have a friend and fellow FSSNOC member who has one FOR SALE ... good price too, only has 300 miles on it ... $2500.00. Contact me and I'll pass your info on to him. I haven't seen it but this guy's stuff is always nice and it is the top of the line SE model as well.
My second reaction was to go with a Yamaha XT250, which ironically is the exact model bike as one of the thumpers that I had when I started FSSNOC. Even test rode one, a 2018 model ... see it on the Event Page and let me know what you think?
In the FSSNOC archives of all the old Thumper News issues, one can find a few copies of Issue #1 and on the cover is my original 1982 Yamaha XT250, featured standing tall beside a Yucca plant out in the sandhills north of town (around here, Yucca plants are sometimes called "Soap Weeds") ... so, as you might assume, I have a soft spot for XT250s! Our nearest dealer has a 2018 in stock but we are having some difficulties putting together a deal. A new option arrived today via a text on my phone but it wasn't the numbers I wanted to see so the XT250 saga is sort of "on hold" at the moment.
Next came the SR400 Yamaha in the above photo (See our masthead moment, above). It is a super nice unit with a few hundred miles on it. I had visions of 2" longer fork tubes from Frank's (are they still in business, anyone?), some good shocks that are a couple of inches longer to match the new longer fork tubes, a pair of CR-low Honda MX handlebars, a couple of plastic fenders, and, of course, some kind of pipe to give this little teddy-bear some character. In my vision, it all works, sort of a classic version of the old TT500 ... but this thing is SO nice and SO pretty and SO ... well, you get the picture.
My latest thought is ... well, I'll give you a hint. It is, of course, a Four-Stroke Single. It displaces somewhere in the neighborhood of 500cc. Unadvertised horsepower is rumored to be in the 50+ range. And, alas, no word on that one so far but I feel some progress has been made...
What would YOU do? Give me some ideas? Email me here at the Thumper Garage at: FSSNOCthumpers@yahoo.com and due to this goofy website (grin), I don't think you can just click on that ... but who knows, hey, I'm an old geezer ... one foot under the shift-lever, one hand twisting the throttle, the backend kicked-out, wind in my hair ... now someone needs to kickstart this beast! - #000
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3, 5 0 0, 0 0 0 ... THREE MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND!
Our National club started in 1986 ... since that day we have hosted FSSNOC members in 44 of the lower 48 states and in Alaska and Old Mexico. More than 150 Thumper Club events, what we call today, ThumperCafes.
When I literally dreamed about this club and what would be our goals and accomplishments (see the History Page, scroll down to the History section), little did I know of our future. I made a pact with myself, kinda like quitting drinking coffee or whatever, that I would quit until the club had made it for three years ... or ... I had spent $5000.00 of money I didn't have (grin), whichever came first, at that time I would reassess the situation and react accordingly. At the very least, it was a three year gig...
Some of you may know this story, I tell it at every party (just kidding! Ha!), of course, the money disappeared in about six months, much to my surprise, most spent for advertising as there was basically no internet back in those black and white days, the printed word was King. But, thankfully, I was by then snake-bit and feeding off the energy of a growing club of super enthusiastic "Thumper" fans ... so we blew right by that first hurdle with nary a look back.
Here we are, thirty-some years later ... I'm typing this conversation out on a typewriter with zero moving parts except for the keyboard. These words will go up into the sky and will be read throughout the universe by who know who, some 1700+ visitors last week alone ... and when I get done, I close the lid and go about my day.
Amazing stuff ... almost as amazing as that 3,500,000 figure at the top of this missive. That, friends, is the sum total rounded off to the next lowest round number, of the miles that you and I have ridden to and fro in our attendance of those 150+ events we've put on over the last 32 years. Have we, you and I, made an impact on the world of motorcycling? You tell me...
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POSTS BELOW, THOUGH LEFT-OVER FOR TWO WEEKS, HAVE BEEN REFRIGERATED FOR YOUR CONSUMPTION:
.............................................. Visit the other pages on this site before you thump toward home ..............................................................
Hey Jack...
Just read your tale of woe.
Ref: No Thumper to ride for the winter!
You may remember my 2007 BMW F650GS that Carol and I rode out West a couple of summers ago. A pic (that you took) is attached (see photo above).
Hi ya, Joe! ... Yes, that is a cool BMW Thumper! Love the wallpaper! Thought for a moment that you were going to loan it to me for the winter! Guess not, eh? (grin) - #000.
It's in great mechanical shape (recent tires, chain & sprockets, valve adjustment, oil & filter etc) and still filthy as all heck---a perfect winter Thumper! Heated grips & ABS, too!
Without the GIVI bags, I'd sell it for $2,995. I don't have an ad made-up for it---but it does come with other extras (seats, windshields, manual, BMW tank bag, parts etc)
I'll be selling a dozen or so bikes in the Spring. Two others that you may be interested in are my 1988 Honda NX650 (which also qualifies an enthusiast for membership in the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle clubs that are out there---there's a very active group near you in Kansas City). Not to mention the past Thumper News "Cover model" 1994 MuZ Silver Star Classic 500. NOTE: FSSNOC members can take $500 off of either one.
Dear Reader ... See these (for sale) machines on the History Page and the Event Page here on this website. Note sub-titles of pages on the masthead ... click and view. - #000
Better yet---give me $7,500 and you can have all 3!!! Now that is a deal! Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! ...Joe Gilmore #661 - Maryland
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Hope you and Carrie have a Happy Thanksgiving
Mike Hildebrand
Yo Mike ... We sure did, and likewise back to you. We even had some snow here in ThumperVille this week! It snowed all through the night, in fact, come morning, the snow was almost as deep as the salt.. - #000
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A Rollercoaster Winter ...
We've been having a rollercoaster weather pattern here in Nebraska. One day it's 60 degrees and the next it's cold and snowing. I'm still getting a ride in once or twice a week and not looking forward to putting the Thumpers away for the winter. My Royal Enfield Classic has developed an issue which maybe someone can shed some light on for me. On cool or cold mornings, the starter will not engage to turn the motor over (luckily it has a kick start too). The starter spins fine, just doesn't turn the motor. If I ride it a while and the engine warms up, the starter works normally even though the temperature is still chilly. Doesn't make much sense to me. Any ideas?
Steve Oakman #5266 - Nebraska
Greetings, Steve, #5266 ... It makes perfect sense to me, my fine feathered friend. I have experienced something similar in winters past with various motorcycles. I came to the perhaps dubious conclusion that the oil may be heavy and thick due to the cold temps of winter. I further reasoned that this may result in an increase in resistance to the rotation of the moving parts of the motor. This increased resistance, in my thinking, was apparently overcoming a less than enthusiastic starter system that may be being fired by a really cold low voltage battery.
... Whew!
I considered moving South.
In Alaska, while riding through the area on a KLR650, I noticed cords hanging from the grille area of cars and trucks to maintain temps inside the motor. As a youngster back on the farm, I recall that people would sometimes use lightbulbs and/or heating lamps to warm vehicles but if I remember my history, isn't that how Mrs. Murphy started the Chicago fire?? Perhaps moving South does have merit.
Siri says that Spring begins on March 20... - #000
***************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Don't miss the other pages on this site!*****************
(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 ... 12-13-18
OUR NEXT ANTICIPATED UPDATE IS ... 12-20-18
See "Website Details and Instruction" section at the bottom of all this great conversation.
***************************************************************
NEW FSSNOC PRODUCT RELEASE:
FOUR-STROKE SINGLES NATIONAL OWNERS CLUB "HOODIE" SWEATSHIRT WITH HEAVY DUTY FULL LENGTH ZIPPER ... LIMITED TIME OFFER: $36.00 each
ORDER A MINIMUM OF TWO AND GET FREE USPS MAILING TO A SINGLE ADDRESS WITHIN THE USA ...
OR
ORDER ONE FOR $36.00, ADD $9.00 FOR USPS MAILING WITHIN THE USA...
ARRIVAL BY CHRISTMAS IS NOT GUARANTEED ...
SIZES ARE: MD, LG, XL, and XXL
WE CAN SPECIAL ORDER LARGER SIZES, ADD $5.00 PER "X" OVER XXL ...
Color choice of actual Gildan Heavy Blend zippered sweatshirt is limited. You may note your color preference however if that color isn't available, we will revert to the color of our example above. Please be aware that the colors used in the club logos are red and black.
You may also choose the color of the words "GOT TORQUE" on the front, choose Red or Black ... if no choice is indicated, we will choose for you.
This offer is open only to current members of FSSNOC.
Mail your order with M.O. or check in payment to:
FSSNOC P.O. Box 1809, Hutchinson, Ks. 67504-1809
Please include your cell phone number should we have questions or issues with your order - Thank You! #000
View the other pages on this site by clicking on the masthead above...
Have an awesome week! Keep On Thumpin' ... Jack, #000
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STARTER WHOAs...
Jack,
After reading your comments and Ken responding with additional information, I sought further solutions and came up with something called a slag(?) clutch that turns the starter sprocket connected to the crankshaft and allows it to freewheel when the starter is not engaged. As my starter motor spins nicely, I feel this is what my problem is. I will let you know if this turns out to be the case. If anyone else has ideas, please feel free to let me know at snoakman@msn.com.
Steve Oakman #5266 (See Steve's original comments in "A Roller Coaster Winter" below...)
POSTS BELOW ARE FROM LAST WEEK.....................................................................................................................................
GOOD MORNING, THUMPER ENTHUSIASTS! (12-06-18)
Great to see you here at the THUMPER GARAGE today! Pretty nice winter day here in ThumperVille, 'bout 35 degrees, little wind, partly sunny skies ... not bad at all! Hope your day is even better...
Funny thing happened to me on the way to the THUMPER GARAGE today ... I was driving North, Carrie, my wife, was driving South ... on the same street at the same time! We stopped, visited a bit, wished each other well. Before we parted, Carrie handed me the mail, seems she had picked it up earlier. That little chance meeting was fun, made me smile to see my bride all "fixed-up" and going down the road of life ... gave my heart a little "pitter-patter".
Back to that funny thing ... once in the door at the THUMPER GARAGE, I shuffled thorough the mail, and there it was! One letter addressed to me.! Across the front of the #10 size envelope was emblazoned, "your personal invitation!" in bold script. Wow! Somebody is having a birthday? A motorcycle shop is having an Open House? Then I noticed that it was mailed with bulk postage. Hummmm? Must be a BIG party? Hey, might be a new motorcycle shop opening in the area? I ripped it open, anxious to read just what exciting event I was being personally invited to attend, only to read: "Come by today for a free hearing aid assessment..."
Poooof ... went my party ballon. - #000
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To FSSNOC #5266 - Nebraska
Hey Steve, (See last week's post below) ...
I see that member #4800 responded to your dilemma. Any help? Or did you resort to moving south for the winter? Thanks to Ken Conrad for the words of wizdom! Keep On Thumpin! - #000
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We hear from our friends at the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, IA.
Today's topic on the site shown below is the Honda CBX ... a bike with not one, not two, but six little four-stroke singles all in a row! I, working at a Honda dealership, had a brand new candy apple red one as a personal demo. Wow, that thing was fast and smooooooth! Count those "zeros" 'cause that was how many holes in the CBX's block - six. I remember one time a member from Wichita Falls, Texas rode one to a Thumper event... Boy Howdy, did he catch some good-natured flack! - #000.
http://www.nationalmcmuseum.com/
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Hi Clay, #2440 ... Thanks for the address update! Best Wishes to ya! - #000.
P.S. See the Event Page ... Carrie and I have a weekly ritual of dining out somewhere in the area and we always welcome and invite any FSSNOCer who lives in the area or who may be cruising through our state to come sit at our table. We'd love to have you show up sometime... :)
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Hey Jack!
I saw where you posted a few of the bikes that I'm planning to sell. Thanks!
Although I will confess that I was surprised to see them posted on (and monopolizing!) Thumper Thursday last week.
My "joe.gilmore1@Gmail,com" address is correct. But Carol just disconnected the phone number---to the great dismay of telemarketers everywhere.
Hope you find a "Winter Thumper" ASAP---or are you just going to re-commission one of the bikes that you winterized?
Joe Gilmore #661
Hey, back to you, Joe! Happy to be of service. Hope you get some action on those beauties (See last week's post below).
Haven't spent my rubles yet ... can't find anyone who wants them bad enough, I guess. I am moving about the area seeing what my options are, even doing some "out of the box" thinking, and you know how dangerous that is, eh? - #000.
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FOR SALE: 2013 SUZUKI TU250XL ... Is silver and black in color, only 1100 miles. Has clear TN title. Now for only $2500.00! Great bike for two-lanes and around town. Good beginner's bike. Help me out, "FizzKnockers" ... I really need to sell this bike. The bike is located in Jackson, Tennessee. Phillip R. Brown 731-267-9245 e-mail: phillipthumper49@gmail.com
Thanks and Merry Christmas to all FizzKnockers!
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MY ONGOING QUEST TO BUY A THUMPER ...
Continues on, now past the third week, soon to be a month since I've had something to ride. I do have other bikes but we have what I and many others refer to as the "Salt Season" here in ThumperVille. It happens like clockwork every November, the street get an overlay of white powder which matures to a lingering white dust in the air, perfect for rusting spokes and nipples, great for discoloring the inside of all nuts, screws, bolts, etc on your otherwise pristine motorcycle. Because it becomes airborne with each passing vehicle, it goes everywhere, places that you'd never think about and places that can't be cleaned or serviced.
Another issue is the suitability of a motorcycle for wintertime use. For me, that means it must have tires with dirt-worthy tread as I normally in the course of daily use gravitate to the back dirt roads when I leave town, which is every chance I get. The other machines in my stable do not meet this requirement. I found out years ago that one can ride a dirt bike on the street with a lot more success than one can ride a street bike in the dirt ... anyone got a comment?
As most of you know, my last bike, sold a few weeks ago, was a Suzuki DR-Z400. I bought it new in 2012, put 36,000+ miles on it, and now I am walking ... well, driving about in my Pickup. The scary thing is that I am getting to like being warm and comfy in that truck during these winter days, and that ain't good!
My first knee-jerk action was to test ride a Kawasaki Zz125 Pro, that little "Grom" looking bike. Thought it might work for a post office bike and a few dirt roads. Well. long story short, it didn't fill my bill or wind my clock, though they are kinda fun to fool around on. My concern was those small tires and that short wheelbase that would surely throw me over the handlebars on a sandy road! For only paved use or camping or a pit bike ... yeah, might be the cat's meow? I have a friend and fellow FSSNOC member who has one FOR SALE ... good price too, only has 300 miles on it ... $2500.00. Contact me and I'll pass your info on to him. I haven't seen it but this guy's stuff is always nice and it is the top of the line SE model as well.
My second reaction was to go with a Yamaha XT250, which ironically is the exact model bike as one of the thumpers that I had when I started FSSNOC. Even test rode one, a 2018 model ... see it on the Event Page and let me know what you think?
In the FSSNOC archives of all the old Thumper News issues, one can find a few copies of Issue #1 and on the cover is my original 1982 Yamaha XT250, featured standing tall beside a Yucca plant out in the sandhills north of town (around here, Yucca plants are sometimes called "Soap Weeds") ... so, as you might assume, I have a soft spot for XT250s! Our nearest dealer has a 2018 in stock but we are having some difficulties putting together a deal. A new option arrived today via a text on my phone but it wasn't the numbers I wanted to see so the XT250 saga is sort of "on hold" at the moment.
Next came the SR400 Yamaha in the above photo (See our masthead moment, above). It is a super nice unit with a few hundred miles on it. I had visions of 2" longer fork tubes from Frank's (are they still in business, anyone?), some good shocks that are a couple of inches longer to match the new longer fork tubes, a pair of CR-low Honda MX handlebars, a couple of plastic fenders, and, of course, some kind of pipe to give this little teddy-bear some character. In my vision, it all works, sort of a classic version of the old TT500 ... but this thing is SO nice and SO pretty and SO ... well, you get the picture.
My latest thought is ... well, I'll give you a hint. It is, of course, a Four-Stroke Single. It displaces somewhere in the neighborhood of 500cc. Unadvertised horsepower is rumored to be in the 50+ range. And, alas, no word on that one so far but I feel some progress has been made...
What would YOU do? Give me some ideas? Email me here at the Thumper Garage at: FSSNOCthumpers@yahoo.com and due to this goofy website (grin), I don't think you can just click on that ... but who knows, hey, I'm an old geezer ... one foot under the shift-lever, one hand twisting the throttle, the backend kicked-out, wind in my hair ... now someone needs to kickstart this beast! - #000
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3, 5 0 0, 0 0 0 ... THREE MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND!
Our National club started in 1986 ... since that day we have hosted FSSNOC members in 44 of the lower 48 states and in Alaska and Old Mexico. More than 150 Thumper Club events, what we call today, ThumperCafes.
When I literally dreamed about this club and what would be our goals and accomplishments (see the History Page, scroll down to the History section), little did I know of our future. I made a pact with myself, kinda like quitting drinking coffee or whatever, that I would quit until the club had made it for three years ... or ... I had spent $5000.00 of money I didn't have (grin), whichever came first, at that time I would reassess the situation and react accordingly. At the very least, it was a three year gig...
Some of you may know this story, I tell it at every party (just kidding! Ha!), of course, the money disappeared in about six months, much to my surprise, most spent for advertising as there was basically no internet back in those black and white days, the printed word was King. But, thankfully, I was by then snake-bit and feeding off the energy of a growing club of super enthusiastic "Thumper" fans ... so we blew right by that first hurdle with nary a look back.
Here we are, thirty-some years later ... I'm typing this conversation out on a typewriter with zero moving parts except for the keyboard. These words will go up into the sky and will be read throughout the universe by who know who, some 1700+ visitors last week alone ... and when I get done, I close the lid and go about my day.
Amazing stuff ... almost as amazing as that 3,500,000 figure at the top of this missive. That, friends, is the sum total rounded off to the next lowest round number, of the miles that you and I have ridden to and fro in our attendance of those 150+ events we've put on over the last 32 years. Have we, you and I, made an impact on the world of motorcycling? You tell me...
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POSTS BELOW, THOUGH LEFT-OVER FOR TWO WEEKS, HAVE BEEN REFRIGERATED FOR YOUR CONSUMPTION:
.............................................. Visit the other pages on this site before you thump toward home ..............................................................
Hey Jack...
Just read your tale of woe.
Ref: No Thumper to ride for the winter!
You may remember my 2007 BMW F650GS that Carol and I rode out West a couple of summers ago. A pic (that you took) is attached (see photo above).
Hi ya, Joe! ... Yes, that is a cool BMW Thumper! Love the wallpaper! Thought for a moment that you were going to loan it to me for the winter! Guess not, eh? (grin) - #000.
It's in great mechanical shape (recent tires, chain & sprockets, valve adjustment, oil & filter etc) and still filthy as all heck---a perfect winter Thumper! Heated grips & ABS, too!
Without the GIVI bags, I'd sell it for $2,995. I don't have an ad made-up for it---but it does come with other extras (seats, windshields, manual, BMW tank bag, parts etc)
I'll be selling a dozen or so bikes in the Spring. Two others that you may be interested in are my 1988 Honda NX650 (which also qualifies an enthusiast for membership in the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle clubs that are out there---there's a very active group near you in Kansas City). Not to mention the past Thumper News "Cover model" 1994 MuZ Silver Star Classic 500. NOTE: FSSNOC members can take $500 off of either one.
Dear Reader ... See these (for sale) machines on the History Page and the Event Page here on this website. Note sub-titles of pages on the masthead ... click and view. - #000
Better yet---give me $7,500 and you can have all 3!!! Now that is a deal! Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! ...Joe Gilmore #661 - Maryland
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Hope you and Carrie have a Happy Thanksgiving
Mike Hildebrand
Yo Mike ... We sure did, and likewise back to you. We even had some snow here in ThumperVille this week! It snowed all through the night, in fact, come morning, the snow was almost as deep as the salt.. - #000
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A Rollercoaster Winter ...
We've been having a rollercoaster weather pattern here in Nebraska. One day it's 60 degrees and the next it's cold and snowing. I'm still getting a ride in once or twice a week and not looking forward to putting the Thumpers away for the winter. My Royal Enfield Classic has developed an issue which maybe someone can shed some light on for me. On cool or cold mornings, the starter will not engage to turn the motor over (luckily it has a kick start too). The starter spins fine, just doesn't turn the motor. If I ride it a while and the engine warms up, the starter works normally even though the temperature is still chilly. Doesn't make much sense to me. Any ideas?
Steve Oakman #5266 - Nebraska
Greetings, Steve, #5266 ... It makes perfect sense to me, my fine feathered friend. I have experienced something similar in winters past with various motorcycles. I came to the perhaps dubious conclusion that the oil may be heavy and thick due to the cold temps of winter. I further reasoned that this may result in an increase in resistance to the rotation of the moving parts of the motor. This increased resistance, in my thinking, was apparently overcoming a less than enthusiastic starter system that may be being fired by a really cold low voltage battery.
... Whew!
I considered moving South.
In Alaska, while riding through the area on a KLR650, I noticed cords hanging from the grille area of cars and trucks to maintain temps inside the motor. As a youngster back on the farm, I recall that people would sometimes use lightbulbs and/or heating lamps to warm vehicles but if I remember my history, isn't that how Mrs. Murphy started the Chicago fire?? Perhaps moving South does have merit.
Siri says that Spring begins on March 20... - #000
***************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Don't miss the other pages on this site!*****************
(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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