(05-13-'21)
NOT JUST ANOTHER PRETTY FACE...
... IN FSSNOC, WE CALL THIS A "PROJECT"!
- HARLEY DAVIDSON/BUELL "BLAST" 500CC THUMPER
- A VESTIGE GAS TANK OFF A SPORTBIKE OF UNKNOWN LINEAGE
- SEMI-HIGH RISE HANDLEBARS, INVERTED, SO "LOW RISE",MAYBE?
- "BUM-STOP" RACING SEAT, HAND-HAMMERED AND SHAPED
- DO YA' SEE ANYTHING ELSE THAT WE COULD MENTION? LET US KNOW...
- IF OUR FRIEND AND FELLOW FSSNOCER, KEN, HAD LIVED TO FINISH THIS, YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN EVEN MORE SURPRISED TO VIEW THIS "IN-PROCESS" PHOTO!
- KEN, WE MISS YOU! YOUR COLLECTION OF MOTORCYCLE "PROJECTS" WENT FAR AND WIDE VIA THE AUCTION BLOCK, BOTH LIVE AND ONLINE. CARS AND PICKUPS WERE PARKED FOR A MILE IN BOTH DIRECTIONS! WHO'D A-THOUGHT??? (AND NOTE THE RICKMAN ROLLER IN THE BACKGROUND...)
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CRICKETS...
Jack,
I can only assume that since I am one of the few people to write in regularly, everyone else is too busy out thumping. Good for them!
I am competing against myself.
As you may recall, in 2020, I logged every ride I made after I got home. Last year by this date, I had taken 55 rides for a total of 1261.3 miles.
I am doing the same this year. So far in 2021, I have logged 71 rides for a total of 1682.1 miles.
I'm well ahead of last year's figures and hope to beat the 9,501.8 miles I got in 2020. If you're interested, I'll keep you updated.
BTW ... How many miles have you logged so far? (I can handle the TRUTH).
Steve Oakman #5266
PS Am attaching a picture of the perfect way to start a new day.
HIGH YA', STEVE ... YEAH, YOU ARE A MOTO-BOOK-KEEPING GENIUS!
(AND I'LL GET BACK TO YOUR MILES QUESTION LATER IN THIS UPDATE... #000)
...AND, YES, AS PER YOUR OPENING COMMENT, STEVE ... IT HAS BEEN A BIT LIKE FACEBOOK OF LATE ... QUIET ... IF ONE LISTENS CAREFULLY TO THE THUMPERGARAGE WEBSITE, YOU MIGHT HEAR "CRICKETS"!
...CONSIDER THIS IF YOU WILL: MAYBE AFTER THE "FORCED RELIANCE" ON THE MAGIC OF THE INTERNET, DUE TO THE PANDEMIC OF COVID 19 ... MAYBE, JUST MAYBE ... PEOPLE DON'T FIND IT, THE INTERNET, THE COMPUTER, QUITE SO "COOL", QUITE SO CAPTIVATING, ANYMORE.
...IN CONTRAST, THE MEMBERSHIP/MAGAZINE SIDE OF FSSNOC SEEMS TO BE DOING QUITE WELL, IN FACT MEMBERS SEEM EVEN MORE INVOLVED AND MORE EXCITED IN 2021 THAN IN YEARS PAST.
...SPEAKING FOR MY OWN EXPERIENCE WITH FACEBOOK; WHEN I STARTED I READ EVERYTHING, I "LIKED" AND "COMMENTED" OFTEN ... BUT ONE CAN ONLY ABSORB SO MUCH ... SO I BEGAN TO JOIN "GROUPS" THAT SUPPORTED ONLY MY OWN INTERESTS, THIS TO ELIMINATE THE CHIT-CHAT AND POLITICAL AGENDAS.
...AGAIN, I "LIKED" AND "COMMENTED" AND SOAKED UP ALL I COULD READ AND SEE ABOUT ANYTHING THAT I WAS INTERESTED IN ... UNTIL ONE DAY I REALIZED THAT I WAS JUST "SCROLLING THROUGH", MY THUMBS GOING LIKE A TEENAGERS FOR AN HOUR! IF I STOPPED TO LOOK AT SOMETHING, I'D MOVE ON, ANXIOUS TO SEE WHAT WAS NEXT, NO COMMENT, NO LIKES. AND, I WAS BLOWING BY STUFF THAT I "USED" TO BE INTERESTED IN ...
...NOW DAYS, ALMOST EVERYDAY, I CONSIDER GETTING OUT OF FACEBOOK, IT'S BECOME "OLD HAT" BECAUSE IT WAS TOO EASY AND TOO MUCH AND LIKELY TOO MUCH ABOUT ANYTHING "I" WANTED TO SEE AND READ ... TOO MUCH, HOW'D THAT HAPPEN?
...TO BE HONEST, I'VE NEVER BEEN AN INTERNET FAN. THOSE WHO KNOW ME WELL WILL ATTEST TO THAT, FOR SURE. FOR EXAMPLE, I LOOK AT MY E-MAILS ONCE A WEEK, KICKING AND SCREAMING, IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO DOING THIS UPDATE. WHY? I'VE ALWAYS FAVORED A REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE OR VERBAL STORY TO "FOLLOWING" SOMEONE OR SOMETHING ON A GLOWING SCREEN; THEIR BIKE HOT,MUDDY, AND BENT ... MINE COLD AND PRISTINE IN THE SHED.
...FOR YEARS, I RACED SOME SORT OF MOTORCYCLING EVENT EVERY WEEKEND; SHORT-TRACK, HARE SCRAMBLES, MOTO-CROSS, TRIALS, ENDUROS, WHATEVER WAS GOING ON THAT I COULD GET TO AND BACK TO GO TO WORK ON MONDAY MORNING, SLEEP OR NO SLEEP.
...IN BETWEEN, I RODE ROAD TRIPS, POKER RUNS, DISTANCE RIDES, AGAIN, WHATEVER... WHEN I FINALLY QUIT RACING, I DIDN'T ATTEND A REAL RACE EVENT FOR YEARS, STILL DON'T ... 'CAUSE I DID IT FOR REAL. ITS ONLY BEEN IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS THAT I WILL WATCH A SUPERCROSS ON TV, AND AGAIN, TO BE HONEST, AMERICAN FLAT-TRACK ON TV JUST DOESN'T TRIP MY TRIGGER AT ALL, AND THEY HAVE A SINGLES CLASS, GO FIGURE. MAYBE BECAUSE NO ONE GETS DIRTY, NO ONE GETS STICKERS IN THEIR SOCKS, NO ONE GETS SPLINTERS FROM AN OLD SNOW-FENCE, AND NO ONE RIDES A HOME-BUILT RACE-BIKE ... LET ALONE RIDING IT HOME AFTER THE RACE OR TO WORK THE NEXT WEEK.
...SO WHY DO I DO IT? WHY DO I DO THIS THUMPERCAFE WEBSITE WEEK AFTER WEEK, MONTH AFTER MONTH, YEAR AFTER YEAR?
...BECAUSE IN THE EARLY YEARS OF AMERICA'S ROMANCE WITH THE INTERNET, IT WAS NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE FSSNOC PACKAGE ... AND WE DO IT NOW TO COMPLIMENT OUR QUARTERLY THUMPER NEWS NEWSLETTER/MAGAZINE.
...IN ITS DEFENSE, TUNING-IN EACH WEEK ON THE THUMPERGARAGE GIVES ALL OF US AN OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT, TO GATHER (SORT OF), TO MAKE PLANS, TO SHARE EXPERIENCES AND TRIP TALES, NOT AT THE SAME LEVEL AS AROUND A CAMPFIRE OR OVER A CHICKEN BONE AT A THUMPERCAFE ... BUT IT IS BETTER THAN NO CONTACT AT ALL BETWEEN MAGAZINES AND GATHERINGS ... IT DOES GIVE US A WAY TO "KETCHUP", A WAY TO STAY IN TOUCH, A WAY TO SHARE ... AND THESE ARE ALL VALUABLE THINGS TO ALL OF US.
...IN A WAY, QUITE UNLIKE MY FACEBOOK EXPERIENCE, THE THUMPERGARAGE HAS BECOME FAMILY, ITS AN ONGOING STORY OF OUR LIVES AND LOVES, WHERE'D YOU GO, WHAT TIRES DID YOU BUY? HOW MUCH FOR THAT NEW/USED THUMPER? MEMBERS HAVE ARRIVED AND DEPARTED, SOME WILLINGLY, SOME NOT, THEIR TIME HERE ON EARTH RAN OUT ... ALL THIS, DESPITE THE GLOWING SCREEN AS I DESCRIBED ABOVE ... THAT GLOWING SCREEN REFLECTS THE LIFES OF OUR MEMBERSHIP, YOU AND ME, TOGETHER, IN THE FOUR-STROKE SINGLES NATIONAL OWNERS CLUB.
********************************************************************************************
YEP ... TRULY A WINDY DAY
(see original post below from last week - #000)
I truly remember the day in Wyoming and the trailer blowing over, that you mentioned this week on the ThumperGarage. I agree, it's the worst wind I've ever ridden in, and was so glad to arrive in Cody.
Mike
Sure made that road seem mighty narrow! - #000
********************************************************************************************
More photos, more content ... visit the other pages on this site.
(From Last Week ... see below)
TANKS ALOT
... BY STEVE OAKMAN, FSSNOC #5266 - NEBRASKA
Jack and club members,
Here's a shot of my Himalayan hanging out with me Yankee friend (notice the flag behind the big gun).
I had to ride up into Iowa for some business and coming home, I was riding directly into a gale force wind on my Himalayan. I had to keep it in fourth gear and could barely hold 50 mph!
I guess I can sympathize with your Kansas fun-tivities as I've heard you mention once in awhile.
Keep 'er on the road! ...Steve Oakman #5266 - Neb.
(REPLY) YES! Steve - I can feel your pain! It, the wind, is at its worst in the Springtime season and it can differ from day to day, even hour by hour. The type of wind is often described as being "thick" or "heavy", whatever one calls it ... it causes a monster drag on bike and rider. I suspect it has something to do with the moisture content but who knows?
For me, riding into it, a frontal wind ... gas mileage plummets, clothing often is almost ripped off your body, helmet straps chokes and rubs my neck sore, buffeting offends unprotected ears, gears drop and rpms soar as the bike struggles to maintain enough road speed to stay ahead of traffic, and often the bike darts about on the surface of the road.
As a side-wind ... the bike leans into it, the total opposite of everything else within my range of vision. I've quoted FSSNOC member now-departed Chuck Thomson before, but he coined the phrase, "Everything in Kansas leans to the North, except motorcycles, they lean to the South!"
Another factor, when my motorbike meets a truck, the semi-trailer version, and should this truck be between the wind and me, I prepare for a vicious suction toward the centerline followed by an equally vicious blast as the trailer clears, sometimes sending the bike over to the outside white line or beyond.
And, it's not just in Kansas. Or Nebraska. We had some hard wind in Arizona in February of 2020 at our ThumperCafe, too. In Wyoming a number of years back, I remember a big Ford Pickup towing a double-axle box trailer like a Wells Cargo, we were heading West behind the rig when a monumental gust of south wind blew the trailer over onto its side at road-speed! ... No one appeared hurt but the trailer was toast! And, I gotta say, this Wyoming moment may have been the hardest wind I have ever ridden in ... it was terrible ... and I am from Kansas!
A tailwind ... is simply payday. The bike feels like a rocketship, gas mileage jumps up, and the miles melt away, until the road changes direction, then it starts all over again.
I described my own Himalayan to a friend who stopped by the ThumperGarage yesterday: "I'll take you anywhere, but don't ask me to hurry!"
Thanks for sharing, Steve! As the temps go up, that wind drag should go down, we'll see... #000
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SORRY TO LOSE YOU, BRUCE ...
Hi Jack,
Just wanted to let you know that I will not be renewing my membership.
I joined in 1989 when I had my SRX6 and had just heard of the club. I still ride a KLR 685, but the jump in price for the dues is just too much.
I do enjoy reading the stories in the quarterly magazine, but, as you know,
I haven't participated in club functions.
I also belong to the Triumph International Club, and just renewed my dues
for $24. They too publish a quarterly magazine.
I also belong to the Concours Owners Group. Their dues are somewhere
around $40, and they also publish a quarterly magazine.
So, I believe that your jump in dues is way out of line. I have seen businesses that need more revenue increase their prices, only to see their customers go elsewhere, and that price increase actually lowered revenue.
So, I wish you luck. I will miss the stories in the magazine, but I can't justify
$100. Bruce Bartlett #0716
(REPLY) HI YA, BRUCE, I must admit, I'm happy to get your letter!
Thank you for writing! As your membership was due in April, the first notice would have been mailed out in early March. Our 143rd issue of Thumper News will be mailed soon, so after reconciling the members that had renewed and those who had not renewed in preparation for that upcoming mail out , I discovered that long term member #0716 was on the short list of the have nots ... for the first time in 32 years.
2020 has been a weird year, I think we can all agree. Health concerns have been at the forefront due to COVID19, among other uncertainties ... and I much prefer the content of your letter above to the alternate ... Bruce, we THANK YOU for those 32 years of membership, friendship, and support!
And, of course, should you reconsider spending that $1.92 a week, we'd love to welcome you back ... and, in our own defense (forgive me, Bruce - grin!), in your comparisons, I didn't read anywhere of a FREE club t-shirt (value $25+$6 post = $31.00) or of First Class mailing.
Again, thank you, Bruce ... for all those years and please know that we wish you all the best as you continue to enjoy this awesome sport-lifestyle we call motorcycling. - #000.
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"GLOBE-RIDIN' FSSNOCER TOUCHES BASE..."
During my extended pit stop on the 'round the world adventure rally and book tour' ... http://www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com
I had time to subscribe (in FSSNOC) for the next year.
Nice T-shirt I received with my new subscription! I'll wear it as I loop around the USA over the Summer.
Regards,
Dr. Gregory Frazier
Author/Moto-journalist/Motorcycle Wastrel
Free YouTube here: https://youtube.com/watch?v=q26uG51xErg
(REPLY) THANK YOU, DOCTOR G, great to hear from you! YES, we'd LOVE to see that t-shirt, our FSSNOC Anniversary "35 and counting" worn as you continue your summer USA adventure loop ... how cool and keep us posted!
I also want to add that you did an excellent job explaining the content of your latest book, "FRAZIER SHRUGGED" on the Free You Tube address above ... and my much anticipated copy of FRAZIER SHRUGGED arrived in today's mail ... fast service, too! I can hardly wait to get into it... #000.
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FROM THREE FENDERS ... and one computer, we get this ... and it is PURDY! - #000
FINE WOLF: A STYLISH SYM 150 COMMUTER FROM 2LOUD
######################################################################
(See the other pages on this website, navigation is on the masthead above) - Thank You for slidin' by the THUMPERGARAGE! - #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 THUMPERGARAGE. 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 THUMPERGARAGE 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/text 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 THUMPERGARAGE update so be sure to tune back in then... (Address-phone number-email address is below... **)
We also encourage you to join our club:
Complete the application found elsewhere on this site (click on "more" above) and mail it to us with $100.00 dues for a 12 month USA membership, WE MAIL ONLY TO USA ADDRESSES. Include your shirt size so we may gift you a FREE club t-shirt if this is your initial membership.
A subscription to THUMPER NEWS magazine, mailed to your mailbox (NOW BY FIRST CLASS), is included in your membership as well.
U.S. POSTAL address is: FSSNOC P.O. Box 1809, Hutchinson, Ks 67504-1809.
To call OR text our club, phone 620-663-1869. If no answer, leave a message as these are spam times.
You may send an E-mail: FSSNOCTHUMPERS@yahoo.com
NOTICE: Please understand that your E-mail may 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 (FSSNOC,INC.). All included content in Thumper News or Thumper Garage is solely for entertainment, not advise....
THE CLUB STORE ... GO VISIT 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 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 THUMPERGARAGE. 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
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
NOT JUST ANOTHER PRETTY FACE...
... IN FSSNOC, WE CALL THIS A "PROJECT"!
- HARLEY DAVIDSON/BUELL "BLAST" 500CC THUMPER
- A VESTIGE GAS TANK OFF A SPORTBIKE OF UNKNOWN LINEAGE
- SEMI-HIGH RISE HANDLEBARS, INVERTED, SO "LOW RISE",MAYBE?
- "BUM-STOP" RACING SEAT, HAND-HAMMERED AND SHAPED
- DO YA' SEE ANYTHING ELSE THAT WE COULD MENTION? LET US KNOW...
- IF OUR FRIEND AND FELLOW FSSNOCER, KEN, HAD LIVED TO FINISH THIS, YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN EVEN MORE SURPRISED TO VIEW THIS "IN-PROCESS" PHOTO!
- KEN, WE MISS YOU! YOUR COLLECTION OF MOTORCYCLE "PROJECTS" WENT FAR AND WIDE VIA THE AUCTION BLOCK, BOTH LIVE AND ONLINE. CARS AND PICKUPS WERE PARKED FOR A MILE IN BOTH DIRECTIONS! WHO'D A-THOUGHT??? (AND NOTE THE RICKMAN ROLLER IN THE BACKGROUND...)
****************************************************************************************************************************
CRICKETS...
Jack,
I can only assume that since I am one of the few people to write in regularly, everyone else is too busy out thumping. Good for them!
I am competing against myself.
As you may recall, in 2020, I logged every ride I made after I got home. Last year by this date, I had taken 55 rides for a total of 1261.3 miles.
I am doing the same this year. So far in 2021, I have logged 71 rides for a total of 1682.1 miles.
I'm well ahead of last year's figures and hope to beat the 9,501.8 miles I got in 2020. If you're interested, I'll keep you updated.
BTW ... How many miles have you logged so far? (I can handle the TRUTH).
Steve Oakman #5266
PS Am attaching a picture of the perfect way to start a new day.
HIGH YA', STEVE ... YEAH, YOU ARE A MOTO-BOOK-KEEPING GENIUS!
(AND I'LL GET BACK TO YOUR MILES QUESTION LATER IN THIS UPDATE... #000)
...AND, YES, AS PER YOUR OPENING COMMENT, STEVE ... IT HAS BEEN A BIT LIKE FACEBOOK OF LATE ... QUIET ... IF ONE LISTENS CAREFULLY TO THE THUMPERGARAGE WEBSITE, YOU MIGHT HEAR "CRICKETS"!
...CONSIDER THIS IF YOU WILL: MAYBE AFTER THE "FORCED RELIANCE" ON THE MAGIC OF THE INTERNET, DUE TO THE PANDEMIC OF COVID 19 ... MAYBE, JUST MAYBE ... PEOPLE DON'T FIND IT, THE INTERNET, THE COMPUTER, QUITE SO "COOL", QUITE SO CAPTIVATING, ANYMORE.
...IN CONTRAST, THE MEMBERSHIP/MAGAZINE SIDE OF FSSNOC SEEMS TO BE DOING QUITE WELL, IN FACT MEMBERS SEEM EVEN MORE INVOLVED AND MORE EXCITED IN 2021 THAN IN YEARS PAST.
...SPEAKING FOR MY OWN EXPERIENCE WITH FACEBOOK; WHEN I STARTED I READ EVERYTHING, I "LIKED" AND "COMMENTED" OFTEN ... BUT ONE CAN ONLY ABSORB SO MUCH ... SO I BEGAN TO JOIN "GROUPS" THAT SUPPORTED ONLY MY OWN INTERESTS, THIS TO ELIMINATE THE CHIT-CHAT AND POLITICAL AGENDAS.
...AGAIN, I "LIKED" AND "COMMENTED" AND SOAKED UP ALL I COULD READ AND SEE ABOUT ANYTHING THAT I WAS INTERESTED IN ... UNTIL ONE DAY I REALIZED THAT I WAS JUST "SCROLLING THROUGH", MY THUMBS GOING LIKE A TEENAGERS FOR AN HOUR! IF I STOPPED TO LOOK AT SOMETHING, I'D MOVE ON, ANXIOUS TO SEE WHAT WAS NEXT, NO COMMENT, NO LIKES. AND, I WAS BLOWING BY STUFF THAT I "USED" TO BE INTERESTED IN ...
...NOW DAYS, ALMOST EVERYDAY, I CONSIDER GETTING OUT OF FACEBOOK, IT'S BECOME "OLD HAT" BECAUSE IT WAS TOO EASY AND TOO MUCH AND LIKELY TOO MUCH ABOUT ANYTHING "I" WANTED TO SEE AND READ ... TOO MUCH, HOW'D THAT HAPPEN?
...TO BE HONEST, I'VE NEVER BEEN AN INTERNET FAN. THOSE WHO KNOW ME WELL WILL ATTEST TO THAT, FOR SURE. FOR EXAMPLE, I LOOK AT MY E-MAILS ONCE A WEEK, KICKING AND SCREAMING, IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO DOING THIS UPDATE. WHY? I'VE ALWAYS FAVORED A REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE OR VERBAL STORY TO "FOLLOWING" SOMEONE OR SOMETHING ON A GLOWING SCREEN; THEIR BIKE HOT,MUDDY, AND BENT ... MINE COLD AND PRISTINE IN THE SHED.
...FOR YEARS, I RACED SOME SORT OF MOTORCYCLING EVENT EVERY WEEKEND; SHORT-TRACK, HARE SCRAMBLES, MOTO-CROSS, TRIALS, ENDUROS, WHATEVER WAS GOING ON THAT I COULD GET TO AND BACK TO GO TO WORK ON MONDAY MORNING, SLEEP OR NO SLEEP.
...IN BETWEEN, I RODE ROAD TRIPS, POKER RUNS, DISTANCE RIDES, AGAIN, WHATEVER... WHEN I FINALLY QUIT RACING, I DIDN'T ATTEND A REAL RACE EVENT FOR YEARS, STILL DON'T ... 'CAUSE I DID IT FOR REAL. ITS ONLY BEEN IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS THAT I WILL WATCH A SUPERCROSS ON TV, AND AGAIN, TO BE HONEST, AMERICAN FLAT-TRACK ON TV JUST DOESN'T TRIP MY TRIGGER AT ALL, AND THEY HAVE A SINGLES CLASS, GO FIGURE. MAYBE BECAUSE NO ONE GETS DIRTY, NO ONE GETS STICKERS IN THEIR SOCKS, NO ONE GETS SPLINTERS FROM AN OLD SNOW-FENCE, AND NO ONE RIDES A HOME-BUILT RACE-BIKE ... LET ALONE RIDING IT HOME AFTER THE RACE OR TO WORK THE NEXT WEEK.
...SO WHY DO I DO IT? WHY DO I DO THIS THUMPERCAFE WEBSITE WEEK AFTER WEEK, MONTH AFTER MONTH, YEAR AFTER YEAR?
...BECAUSE IN THE EARLY YEARS OF AMERICA'S ROMANCE WITH THE INTERNET, IT WAS NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE FSSNOC PACKAGE ... AND WE DO IT NOW TO COMPLIMENT OUR QUARTERLY THUMPER NEWS NEWSLETTER/MAGAZINE.
...IN ITS DEFENSE, TUNING-IN EACH WEEK ON THE THUMPERGARAGE GIVES ALL OF US AN OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT, TO GATHER (SORT OF), TO MAKE PLANS, TO SHARE EXPERIENCES AND TRIP TALES, NOT AT THE SAME LEVEL AS AROUND A CAMPFIRE OR OVER A CHICKEN BONE AT A THUMPERCAFE ... BUT IT IS BETTER THAN NO CONTACT AT ALL BETWEEN MAGAZINES AND GATHERINGS ... IT DOES GIVE US A WAY TO "KETCHUP", A WAY TO STAY IN TOUCH, A WAY TO SHARE ... AND THESE ARE ALL VALUABLE THINGS TO ALL OF US.
...IN A WAY, QUITE UNLIKE MY FACEBOOK EXPERIENCE, THE THUMPERGARAGE HAS BECOME FAMILY, ITS AN ONGOING STORY OF OUR LIVES AND LOVES, WHERE'D YOU GO, WHAT TIRES DID YOU BUY? HOW MUCH FOR THAT NEW/USED THUMPER? MEMBERS HAVE ARRIVED AND DEPARTED, SOME WILLINGLY, SOME NOT, THEIR TIME HERE ON EARTH RAN OUT ... ALL THIS, DESPITE THE GLOWING SCREEN AS I DESCRIBED ABOVE ... THAT GLOWING SCREEN REFLECTS THE LIFES OF OUR MEMBERSHIP, YOU AND ME, TOGETHER, IN THE FOUR-STROKE SINGLES NATIONAL OWNERS CLUB.
********************************************************************************************
YEP ... TRULY A WINDY DAY
(see original post below from last week - #000)
I truly remember the day in Wyoming and the trailer blowing over, that you mentioned this week on the ThumperGarage. I agree, it's the worst wind I've ever ridden in, and was so glad to arrive in Cody.
Mike
Sure made that road seem mighty narrow! - #000
********************************************************************************************
More photos, more content ... visit the other pages on this site.
(From Last Week ... see below)
TANKS ALOT
... BY STEVE OAKMAN, FSSNOC #5266 - NEBRASKA
Jack and club members,
Here's a shot of my Himalayan hanging out with me Yankee friend (notice the flag behind the big gun).
I had to ride up into Iowa for some business and coming home, I was riding directly into a gale force wind on my Himalayan. I had to keep it in fourth gear and could barely hold 50 mph!
I guess I can sympathize with your Kansas fun-tivities as I've heard you mention once in awhile.
Keep 'er on the road! ...Steve Oakman #5266 - Neb.
(REPLY) YES! Steve - I can feel your pain! It, the wind, is at its worst in the Springtime season and it can differ from day to day, even hour by hour. The type of wind is often described as being "thick" or "heavy", whatever one calls it ... it causes a monster drag on bike and rider. I suspect it has something to do with the moisture content but who knows?
For me, riding into it, a frontal wind ... gas mileage plummets, clothing often is almost ripped off your body, helmet straps chokes and rubs my neck sore, buffeting offends unprotected ears, gears drop and rpms soar as the bike struggles to maintain enough road speed to stay ahead of traffic, and often the bike darts about on the surface of the road.
As a side-wind ... the bike leans into it, the total opposite of everything else within my range of vision. I've quoted FSSNOC member now-departed Chuck Thomson before, but he coined the phrase, "Everything in Kansas leans to the North, except motorcycles, they lean to the South!"
Another factor, when my motorbike meets a truck, the semi-trailer version, and should this truck be between the wind and me, I prepare for a vicious suction toward the centerline followed by an equally vicious blast as the trailer clears, sometimes sending the bike over to the outside white line or beyond.
And, it's not just in Kansas. Or Nebraska. We had some hard wind in Arizona in February of 2020 at our ThumperCafe, too. In Wyoming a number of years back, I remember a big Ford Pickup towing a double-axle box trailer like a Wells Cargo, we were heading West behind the rig when a monumental gust of south wind blew the trailer over onto its side at road-speed! ... No one appeared hurt but the trailer was toast! And, I gotta say, this Wyoming moment may have been the hardest wind I have ever ridden in ... it was terrible ... and I am from Kansas!
A tailwind ... is simply payday. The bike feels like a rocketship, gas mileage jumps up, and the miles melt away, until the road changes direction, then it starts all over again.
I described my own Himalayan to a friend who stopped by the ThumperGarage yesterday: "I'll take you anywhere, but don't ask me to hurry!"
Thanks for sharing, Steve! As the temps go up, that wind drag should go down, we'll see... #000
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SORRY TO LOSE YOU, BRUCE ...
Hi Jack,
Just wanted to let you know that I will not be renewing my membership.
I joined in 1989 when I had my SRX6 and had just heard of the club. I still ride a KLR 685, but the jump in price for the dues is just too much.
I do enjoy reading the stories in the quarterly magazine, but, as you know,
I haven't participated in club functions.
I also belong to the Triumph International Club, and just renewed my dues
for $24. They too publish a quarterly magazine.
I also belong to the Concours Owners Group. Their dues are somewhere
around $40, and they also publish a quarterly magazine.
So, I believe that your jump in dues is way out of line. I have seen businesses that need more revenue increase their prices, only to see their customers go elsewhere, and that price increase actually lowered revenue.
So, I wish you luck. I will miss the stories in the magazine, but I can't justify
$100. Bruce Bartlett #0716
(REPLY) HI YA, BRUCE, I must admit, I'm happy to get your letter!
Thank you for writing! As your membership was due in April, the first notice would have been mailed out in early March. Our 143rd issue of Thumper News will be mailed soon, so after reconciling the members that had renewed and those who had not renewed in preparation for that upcoming mail out , I discovered that long term member #0716 was on the short list of the have nots ... for the first time in 32 years.
2020 has been a weird year, I think we can all agree. Health concerns have been at the forefront due to COVID19, among other uncertainties ... and I much prefer the content of your letter above to the alternate ... Bruce, we THANK YOU for those 32 years of membership, friendship, and support!
And, of course, should you reconsider spending that $1.92 a week, we'd love to welcome you back ... and, in our own defense (forgive me, Bruce - grin!), in your comparisons, I didn't read anywhere of a FREE club t-shirt (value $25+$6 post = $31.00) or of First Class mailing.
Again, thank you, Bruce ... for all those years and please know that we wish you all the best as you continue to enjoy this awesome sport-lifestyle we call motorcycling. - #000.
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"GLOBE-RIDIN' FSSNOCER TOUCHES BASE..."
During my extended pit stop on the 'round the world adventure rally and book tour' ... http://www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com
I had time to subscribe (in FSSNOC) for the next year.
Nice T-shirt I received with my new subscription! I'll wear it as I loop around the USA over the Summer.
Regards,
Dr. Gregory Frazier
Author/Moto-journalist/Motorcycle Wastrel
Free YouTube here: https://youtube.com/watch?v=q26uG51xErg
(REPLY) THANK YOU, DOCTOR G, great to hear from you! YES, we'd LOVE to see that t-shirt, our FSSNOC Anniversary "35 and counting" worn as you continue your summer USA adventure loop ... how cool and keep us posted!
I also want to add that you did an excellent job explaining the content of your latest book, "FRAZIER SHRUGGED" on the Free You Tube address above ... and my much anticipated copy of FRAZIER SHRUGGED arrived in today's mail ... fast service, too! I can hardly wait to get into it... #000.
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FROM THREE FENDERS ... and one computer, we get this ... and it is PURDY! - #000
FINE WOLF: A STYLISH SYM 150 COMMUTER FROM 2LOUD
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(See the other pages on this website, navigation is on the masthead above) - Thank You for slidin' by the THUMPERGARAGE! - #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 THUMPERGARAGE. 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 THUMPERGARAGE 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/text 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 THUMPERGARAGE update so be sure to tune back in then... (Address-phone number-email address is below... **)
We also encourage you to join our club:
Complete the application found elsewhere on this site (click on "more" above) and mail it to us with $100.00 dues for a 12 month USA membership, WE MAIL ONLY TO USA ADDRESSES. Include your shirt size so we may gift you a FREE club t-shirt if this is your initial membership.
A subscription to THUMPER NEWS magazine, mailed to your mailbox (NOW BY FIRST CLASS), is included in your membership as well.
U.S. POSTAL address is: FSSNOC P.O. Box 1809, Hutchinson, Ks 67504-1809.
To call OR text our club, phone 620-663-1869. If no answer, leave a message as these are spam times.
You may send an E-mail: FSSNOCTHUMPERS@yahoo.com
NOTICE: Please understand that your E-mail may 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 (FSSNOC,INC.). All included content in Thumper News or Thumper Garage is solely for entertainment, not advise....
THE CLUB STORE ... GO VISIT 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 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 THUMPERGARAGE. 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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