FSSNOC THUMPER GARAGE
***************************************************
WHEN HAS 75 HORSEPOWER EVER LOOKED SO BEAUTIFUL? And now ... so affordable. One doesn't normally read those words in the same sentence, right?
Don't hold me to this, but unless I am wrong, Husqvarna has dropped the price by THOU$AND$ right now? My suggestion would be to check with our fellow FSSNOC member, Joe Kelley, FSSNOC #5130...
Joe is "the buck stops here" guy at the Kawasaki-Husqvarna motorcycle shop in Granby, Colorado:
POWER WORLD,
61000 US Highway 40
Granby, Colorado 80446 970-887-9337
powerworldsports.com
Photo above is a breathed-on version a 2019 Husqvarna Vitpilen 701 ... Joe's website inventory listing shows he has a stock one with mirrors, etc for just $8999.00 ... but don't stop there, give him a shout, it's getting winterish out there in Colorado and he might even do better for a fellow FSSNOC club member ... it doesn't hurt to ask, does it? Articles on the Internet have this baby at retail of $12,000.00 + ... so based on that,
What A Deal? - and - What A Thumper!
You ROYAL ENFIELD enthusiasts might score a real deal there as well according to some of the prices I noticed on Joe's New Inventory list ... but do it now, before they get snowed-in!
For example, I'm thinking I viewed a bright yellow 2015 R.E. Continental GT-535 shown on the New Inventory listing for, what was it? $3799.00 or $3599.00, something like that!
I gotta chill a bit ... that VITPILEN 701 would be AWESOME!
**************************************************
WE HEAR FROM CLARK FRANCY...
Hello Jack - I was just reading issue 134 of Thumper News and saw the article titled "First impressions of the 2018 Royal Enfield Himalayan". I read the article and enjoyed it. At the same time, I kept thinking that other members of the Royal Enfield Owners Club / North America would also enjoy it.
Therefore, I would like your permission to reprint this article in our coming newsletter. Of course, due credit for the source of the article will be given as always.
Looking forward to your favorable reply,
Clark Francy
Ohio Valley BSA Owners Club and
Royal Enfield Owners Club / North America
PS - In case you're wondering , doing two newsletters keeps my mind functioning!
Hi Ya, Clark! Yep, that will work ... send me a copy of that particular issue of the Royal Enfield Owners Club-North America, if you would. Best Wishes and Keep On Thumpin! And, we do appreciate your mentions of FSSNOC in the OVBSAOC newsletter ... Thank You!! - Jack, #000
**************************************************
COUNT ME IN for the:
2020 FSSNOC GROUND HOG NATIONALS!
I’ll ride if possible, if not, I’ll have to haul it to a friend's house in Phoenix and ride from there. Steve Pinkston, FSSNOC #3288, Colorado
ROGER THAT, STEVE! YOU ARE ON THE LIST ... SEE YOU IN SUNNY EARP, CA!
( SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS ON THE FSSNOC EVENT )
"W I N T E R B R A K E" ... returns to FSSNOC for 2020!
Meet us at DUMAS WALKER'S BAR AND GRILL in Earp, California on Wednesday, February 5th, 2020. We dine as a group at 11:45AM, 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...
**************************************************
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER...
Hello JR
Meant to send you these a couple weeks ago but got sidetracked. The first one is my friend and FSSNOC buddy John Stanley, #3590, Dayton, OHIO. That fire tower is just north of Cheaha State park. After the meet-up, ThumperCafe #49 in Alabama, we stayed a couple more days in the area, then moved to Ellijay, GA. for 3 more days.
The second shot (featured last week on the masthead above) is on Little River Canyon Rd, about 1 1/2 hours from Cheaha State Park. Did anyone else ride past this?
Here in Western North Carolina, we had above average temps for 28 of 30 days of Sept, including several record highs. Almost too hot to ride, but in 5 more days we should be back to near normal temps which is high of 72. Sounds like riding weather, finally.
Ride safe, Vic Force, #3701, NC
Wow, what a hunk of rock! Lots of good riding in that neck of the woods! Thanks to all who participated in the ThumperCafe there in Alabama, we'd love to hear about everyone's trip and the related adventures so if you were there, we'd enjoy an email with the details, eh? Share the fun??
Thanks, Vic! It was worth the wait... - #000
**************************************************
PUT US ON THE LIST...
Hi Jack (000),
My riding buddy (Bruce Kelley) and I are interested in DUMAS WALKER'S BAR AND GRILL in Earp, California on Wednesday, February 5th, 2020, ThumperCafe #50 aka. the FSSNOC GROUNDHOG NATIONALS.
Depending on the weather we might truck our bikes. It's on our calendar!
Alan Smith (5386) California.
Sounds like a plan! Hauling your Thumper to make the weather between home-base and Earp, CA. somewhat manageable is no doubt an excellent idea. That time of year, we all know what happens where the warm air coming north meets the cold air coming down from the north, ... BOOOM! Usually snow, ice, cold rain, etc ... Anyhey, you are on the FREE decal list for attenders who let FSSNOC know ahead of time of their plans to participate in the FSSNOC GROUNDHOG NATIONALS.. - #000
**************************************************
Jack, just got the "Thumper News" ...
and read about the accident. So sorry and my condolences.
Hope the recovery has been as swift as possible. Know the feeling, as Billie, my wife, is still recovering
after (3) hip operations starting in 2017. Did get her on a new Moto Guzzi, Eldo, OK City, to see if
it's a model she will be comfortable on. Time will tell.
Good luck and catch you down the road. RD
YO RON ... (FSSNOC #5131 - KS.) ... great to hear from you! Thank you for your kind words for wife, Carrie! She is doing good, not running any 100 yard dashes yet, but nonetheless, she is making good progress. The doctor says her breaks (brakes!) are healed so now she needs to get back to using her previously injured leg and foot. After being off her feet since May 31st, that's a tall order.
She is now void of all walkers, canes, sprints, braces, etc, etc, and is improving daily. We have been amazed at all the comments, calls, concerns that have been expressed by those around us, including you, Ron. As an example, from the day of the accident we didn't prepare a single meal or order out for a solid month!! People brought by food for 30 days (!), is that not amazing in this present day world? We were/are certainly blessed...
We need to do a moto-coffee, Ron ... it's been way too long since we've visited! - #000.
**************************************************
Some photos for the calendar...
My Yamaha TTR 250, Kawasaki KLR 650, and a group ride to Sun Tunnels in the Great Salt Lake Desert.
Craig Young, FSSNOC #4899 - UTAH ( Dear Viewer ... wanna see Craig in a "cool" desert photo, take a peak at the October-November page in our FSSNOC THUMPER CALENDAR for 2019. - #000 )
Yo Craig ... Thank you for the shots! They arrived here in such a small size that we couldn't even use them here on the website, sorry to say. When I email a photo to FSSNOC off my own I-phone, I send it in the "large" size and that seems to lessen the distortion, etc when they are put on the big scene here at the Thumper Garage. And, by the way, what is the story on those "Sun Tunnels" anyway, they look like big concrete culverts to me... - #000.
**************************************************
FIVE MOTORCYCLE DEALERSHIPS CLOSE IN THE SEATTLE AREA...
https://www.seattletimes.com/business/local-business/5-local-motorcycle-dealerships-abruptly-closed-by-their-owner-a-microsoft-executive/
To Curley-san,
The above ... NOT a good sign.
Another long time well known and respected dealer in Seattle, Moto International, went out of business last year in September or October.
Let's all get out there and promote our sport. Especially to those younger than us "Olde Fartes" who have been riding for years. Checked the average age of today's motorcyclist?
Larry, FSSNOC #4800 - Montana
"Good luck with that, Larry ... I've been doing that for fifty years and it generally falls on deaf ears." ... that was my first reaction to Larry's comments above ... can't help it, it's true. I remember reading a published interview somewhere with the great Dick Mann. The interviewer asked Dick Mann what he, Dick Mann - famous motorcycle racer, might say to encourage a young person to enter the sport of motorcycle racing?
Dick's answer as reported went something like this (as they say, "paraphrasing here"): If he wanted to be a motorcycle racer, he'd already be a motorcycle racer...
Are we, you and I, viewing the end with near-blind eyes? Are motorcycles destined to simply "go away"? Have they, like bicycles, became something to buy on a Spring-like day, show off to your friends, and then, within the same calendar year, store in the corner of the garage with a blanket thrown over them (not to protect them but in reality, to make their plight less visible?).
Let's make this even more personal, shall we?
Our FSSNOC membership has slowly declined over the years, the last 18 years, to be exact. We were at our peak in 2001 when the Twin Towers were taken down by terrorists. America went into a, what I call, the "blue funk" ... our membership dropped by 600 members in the ensuing months! Despite all our efforts to rebuild, we've never made that back, my friends.
As a whole, "Sign Up a New Member" campaigns of the day fall on deaf ears ... "Hand out FSSNOC Club Cards to other Riders" falls on deaf ears, again as a whole. And, now ... in contrasting agreement, when members do hand out club cards, they typically report zero results. So what gives? What can we do? Can we change the way our world evolves? Again, in contrast to the norm, our club, FSSNOC - the FOUR-STROKE SINGLES NATIONAL OWNERS CLUB, has survived where others, many others, have went the way of those five dealerships in Seattle. Back in 1986 when we began, it was reported that motorcycling clubs enjoyed an average life span from one to three years, we've gone more than ten times that...
So ... are we safe? Will FSSNOC somehow magically survive into the future? Can I as a member just blow-off all this "Sign-Up a New Member" stuff as something for someone else to worry about? Am I just too busy with life to pay any attention to all this foo-fer-rah? Will those five dealerships in Seattle magically reopen? Will that blanket over my Thumper come off and a FOR SALE sign take its place?
As they said on old time radio, "Only the Shadow knows..."
- #000
**************************************************
DR650 MINI-ADVENTURE BIKE!
Hey Jack!
Thanks for the encouragement to send this note about my latest thumper. Here's the back story:
I sold my 2002 BMW F650GS Low at a local auction in March and found myself Thumper-less for the first time in 41 years. I began a search for a replacement. One Saturday in April, I went bike shopping. Test rode a Himalayan. While I really like the styling and ergos, I knew the little 400 cc engine would not be adequate for my 90% plus street riding. And don't get me started about its weak brakes.
So I headed to a local Harley dealer to see a BMW G650GS that was featured in the preowned section of their website. Alas, it was already sold. When I told the salesman I was only interested in a thumper, he said “Well, we just took a DR650 in trade.” I said okay lemme see it. I was not expecting what I saw. It was a flawless 2018 model with only 498 miles on the clock. Not even broken in yet! The previous owner must not have been happy with it because he (or she) had installed a boatload of accessories, then barely used the bike.
Here's the list of installed options:
- IMS 4.9 gas tank
- Fly aluminum handlebar with Tusk handguards
- BajaWorx windscreen
- Precision Motorcycle Racks Enduro Series rear rack
- Tusk pannier racks
- Moose Racing (I think) aluminum side cases
After taking it home I added a few more accessories:
- Suzuki gel seat (much maligned, but cheap, somewhat more comfortable than the stock seat, and most importantly, an easy inch lower)
- Shad SH29 top box (had one laying around and it fit the rear rack, so why not? Small, but swallows a full face helmet)
- Garmin Nuvi GPS (again, laying around and ancient, but works and fits the DR's cramped cockpit)
- 12V power socket from a Kawasaki Vulcan 650
- Aftermarket TPMS (sourced from Amazon, it plugs into the 12V socket and comes with 4 wheel sensors that can be installed on two different motorcycles)
I get a lot of questions. What is that? It's a DR?!? People think it's a much bigger bike than it is. I call it an adventure bike for the rest of us!
Rich Wickman, FSSNOC #1344 - West Virginia
WOW, NICE! I rode a DR650 for 42,000 miles, sold it to a local friend and fellow FSSNOCer, Ron Bontrager, #4570 who has upped the ante to 80,000+ miles! You are going to enjoy your new ride, Rich! - #000.
**************************************************
Man, I missed being at the two ThumperCafes!
But ... I have been doing some thumpin', even tho' it's just day trips.
You know, if the weather cooperates (and understanding that a lot of that 440+ or - mile ride will be in the dark), that FSSNOC WinterBrake to Earp could be doable. I'd have to do it in a day, but . . . I'm going to plan on it - at least for now!
Kerry, FSSNOC #4543 in sunny Arizona
And, Sir Kerry ... you were sorely missed at those 2019 ThumperCafes as well!! Lovely, lovely shot you shared above, Thank You much.
Our best to you and Sandy, - #000.
**************************************************
Hey Triple Zero,
Is there any way that I can get in contact with Ben, #4784? LOVE what he did with that Suzuki S40/LS650/Savage. The Suzuki is one bike that I’ve been meaning to add to my collection of Thumpers (1978 SR500, 2-FT500 Ascots [82 & 83], 1986 SRX600, and a 1990 GB500). I have a ton of questions I’d like to ask him, wheels, forks, chain conversion, etc. as I’m not much into the stock cruiser style of the stock S40 either; but as Ben has shown us the possibilities are endless.
If he so chooses, he can contact me directly at gignacsa@chipvalley.com so we don’t clutter up the weekly FSSNOC website updates. THANKS!!
“Maynard” FSSNOC #5208 (Wisconsin)
Hey back at ya, Maynard ... Yeah, that Suzuki Savage is an amazing "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" do-over, for sure! As you may recall, I rode an S40 for awhile, put 29,000 miles on it. I really enjoyed it and I think you will as well. Go for it... - #000.
**************************************************
COLOR ME CORN-FUSED! ... #000
Jack, the description of gearing and speeds you printed under my Suzuki Savage last week are for my new Royal Enfield Himalayan. It’s geared 16/36, for a true 60 mph at 4250 rpm.
FROM LAST WEEK: Just back from test ride on my new seat. Much better, as it allows me to move around a bit. Of more interest is the gearing change. I went to 36 on rear and 16 up front. Stock is 15/38. This puts a true 60 mph at the torque peak of 4250 rpm. Had it on I-80 the other day and it runs 70 with ease. On secondary roads, I’m usually at 4000 rpm for a true 56 mph. Also, often at 3500 rpm for a true 50 mph. It’s very smooth and “ comfortable” at those speeds. Gas mileage is 75 mpg plus or minus 2. Can hardly believe how much I like this bike!!! ...Ben #4784
The Suzuki Savage is geared 16/42, and turns about 3200 at 60.
Both are great fun to ride! Sorry for any confusion, I may not have been clear enough in my e mails.
Fall is on our doorstep—— the best time of the year to ride in my opinion.
Heber (BEN) Crawford, #4784
Hi Ya, Ben ... Sept. and Oct. are the BEST in my book! Here in the M.O.N. (middle of nowhere :) ... we can even do some pretty good day rides into November. A few years ago, I foolishly headed for Broadus, Montana, 814 miles north according to my smartphone, on the next to the last day of October. I made it up there, gassed-up in the freezing rain, drank a C-store hot chocolate, and headed for the house. I now underscore the "foolishly" in the prior statement ... but that little journey allowed me official bragging rights for riding my Four-Stroke Single DR650 Suzuki in 36 states within the first six months of ownership. Oh yeah! ... (grin) - #000.
**************************************************
(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 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!
**************************************************************************************************************
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
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<