FSSNOC THUMPER GARAGE

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                                                                   OUR NEXT ANTICIPATED UPDATE IS ... 10-19-18
                                            See "Website Details and Instruction" section at the bottom of all this great conversation.
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          RAIN - RAIN, GO AWAY...
          COME AGAIN ANOTHER DAY!

          NO LIGHTNING, NO THUNDER,
          NO SUNSHINE TO PLUNDER.

          JUST RAIN AND MORE RAIN,
          RAIN, RAIN ... IS MY REFRAIN.

          RAIN - RAIN, GO AWAY,
          COME AGAIN ANOTHER DAY...

     DAMP GREETINGS FROM THUMPERVILLE TO YOU AND YOURS ...
     I know, I know, it's only Wednesday evening, I'm way ahead of schedule, but hey, give me some slack, I'm bored.  The only riding I did in the last three days was today when I rode the DR-Z400 down to the Post Office ... a lofty 6 mile trip.  The local weather dudes are saying we had something like 7 to 8 inches over the last two days and nights.  Guess I should be thankful that we survived it, which we did, and I am ... it's just fun to blow off some steam, ya' know?  Thump, Thump! 

     SO ... what do you think about the photo above?  Know what the bike is?  Brand, Year, model, etc... some of you guys and gals probably had one of these.  I made my very first "Trials" bike out of one back in the black and white days.  So let us know what you think it is...  Give us some details, etc...  Maybe even a caption would be fun, eh?    

     As I snapped this shot, I also took a photo of the speedometer mileage reading, the odometer reading, to be correct, I guess...  How many miles did this little jewel run before its final ride in a pickup truck?  Give me your best guess, okay?


                           SOMEONE ... could it be?
     I lingered a bit at the scene of the crime.  I won't tell you that a tear ran down my cheek or that a lump appeared in my dry throat, but I will say that my thoughts rambled for a few minutes as I noticed little details about this once new and shiny motorcycle from the past.  Once sold at or near retail, now worthless ... I looked at such things as the front brake, once a work of polished art really, with all those tiny shiny spokes, now spotted with rust ... and the tail lamp lens, unbroken and perfect.   
     Someone a few short years ago had a motorcycle dealership and probably purchased this machine from the factory on a 90 day floor-plan in hopes of selling it for a profit in further hopes of paying that floor plan plus interest ... and the Shop electric bill. 
     Someone may have skinned a knuckle or two getting this machine off the thin metal pallet under the wrinkled and water stained cardboard shipping crate. 
​     Someone installed the handlebars and the controls, put on the front wheel, and then with a smile, rolled it over to the mechanic and said, "Here ya' go, Bob!". 
     Someone was that mechanic, Bob, who serviced it, who checked it over, who charged the battery, then fired it up, witnessing it take it first feeble breath of stateside air and laughing as the shop filled up with pungent blue smoke. 
     Someone, after a spin down the alley and back, rolled it onto the showroom floor with the hopes of finding it a new owner and making a few bucks commission.
     Someone with a damp nose pressed again a dirty window pane likely spied it on the way home from school that day, then ran all the way home to beg his or her parents (or wife - heh,heh!) to go back on Saturday to take a closer look.
     Someone came by the dealership one day and took that candy apple painted two wheeler home, much to the delight of almost everyone previously mentioned.
     Someone probably and promptly broke a bone or skinned an arm.
Someone's Mom was probably mad and harsh words were spoken. 
     Someone showed it to all their friends, it was so fun to show it off.
Someone crashed again, this time it wouldn't start, probably fouled a plug.
     Someone parked it behind the garage to make room for a longer car.
Someone soon forgot about that first exciting day and went away to college.
     Someone may have said a few years later, "It's the weekend, I think I'll clean up around the place today then if it doesn't get too late, I'll make a run to the dump.  I might even throw Freddie's old bike in the truck along with my other junk."
     Someone perhaps said the next day, "Oh, yeah, it's Sunday.  Let's hop in the truck and go to church and I'll go by the dump first thing Monday morning."
     Someone asked, "What about all that junk?"
Someone might have replied, "Who cares about some rusty ole junk?  No one will notice.  Let's go, we don't want to be late and have to set up front..."
     Someone walking by that day did notice, and after a moment of reflection, respectfully shot the above photo...  R.I.P.  -  #000.
  
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      POSTS BELOW ARE FROM A PREVIOUS UPDATE...                    (______)

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     GREETINGS FOUR-STROKE SINGLES NATIONAL OWNERS CLUB MEMBERS and valued visitors ... Wishing each of you a wonderful October.  It is definitely one of my favorite months here in ThumperVille.  The leaves begin to turn, the late summer temperatures begin to moderate a bit, the blue of the sky becomes even more vivid, and on a still Autumn morning, one can hear the open road beckon ... perhaps a weekend run to the Ozarks, maybe a lunch ride to a favorite outdoor dining spot, could be time for our local motorcycle club to gather for the monthly club meeting, and we can't forget those Fast Friday lunch destinations, or am I dreaming of a new motorbike at a nearby dealership so perhaps it's the perfect time to slide by for a look, ahhhh, that tire has just a few more miles left before the anticipated change - I call those "free miles", maybe I should get out and put on some more miles before the sting of winter becomes a reality, oh yes - the Fall colors - now there is a good reason to ride, I haven't been out for a day or two so maybe a big late afternoon loop for a french vanilla flavored coffee makes sense ... this is how my mind works every day, how about you?   

     Helmet, Gloves ... and Thumper News #132 - our Autumn Issue.  This is our official club newsletter/magazine as was featured in the photo above.  Hopefully your issue has arrived and you've taken time out of your busy day to check this issue out as it is unlike any of its predecessors. 

     Take note if you will of a particular area of your physical publication, the area that I call the "binding" ... do you see the new upgrade?  The binding area now has a square shape, very tidy to the eye, and in a more tangible sense, it allows the pages to lie flat when the magazine is opened. 

     Also of note, and we've had this a few times before, the color of both the front and rear cover goes "full bleed", in other words, it goes to the farthest edge of the cover, thus eliminating the common white line around the outside perimeter of the piece, again, a very pleasing upgrade.

     Something that we haven't talked about for a long time ... the physical size of our magazine.  It measures a very compact 8" x 6 3/4", just the right size to tuck into a briefcase, a tank bag, a desk drawer, even a dinner bucket.  Going somewhere?  Take it along.  Thumper News, like a Four-Stroke Single Cylinder Motorcycle, is designed to be purposeful, to be convenient, to be used and enjoyed on your own terms time and time again, no DVR needed.  When is the last time you picked up a motorcycle magazine and read it cover to cover in one setting, perhaps even at your mailbox, enjoying approximately 12,000 words about your favorite hobby, sport, or lifestyle that wasn't laced with 6,000 words of advertisement?  Think about it...

     This particular issue is unique in content as well as structure.  The title perhaps gives that away at first glance. "MR. THUMPER GOES TO GREYBULL" ... a travelogue by #000.  Flip open the front cover and immediately you'll be on your way, vicariously riding some 2700 miles across this great land.  Experience the trip day by day, learn what was packed and what was not, ride through sunshine, rain, and fog.  Never before in thirty-two years of publishing our club mail piece have we ever produced a final product quite like TN#132.

     Another unique fact about TN#132 ... would you like one?  Perhaps you have yet to join our club but would enjoy having your own copy of this travelogue?  By intention, we have in inventory a limited number of issues available to the general public.  This will allow you, a valued first time visitor or a welcomed weekly guest here at the THUMPER GARAGE, to have what our current nationwide membership enjoys each and every quarter ...  if this sounds interesting to you, do not delay ... join our club today by clicking on the Application Page located in the drop box under "More" in the masthead, then simply send your completed membership application with a money order or check in US funds on a USA Bank in the amount of *$40.00 to:  FSSNOC,INC    P.O.Box 1809,    Hutchinson, Ks.  67504-1809  (*$40.00 is for a 12 month membership with a USA address) ($75 is for a 12 month membership with an Out-of-USA address).  And, that's not all!  If you are not a prior FSSNOC member ... now this is the proverbial frosting on the cake ... you get a FREE club t-shirt!  We want you in our club...   #000. 

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       LAS VEGAS - MECUM AUCTION
   Vintage and Antique motorcycles...
     January 22-27, 2019  1750 motorcycles!
     At South Point Casino, Las Vegas, NV.
     Buy - Sell - Spectate

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     If you've visited our website, the THUMPER GARAGE, before, you are undoubtedly aware of the other pages on this site, the MAKIN' HISTORY PAGE, the EVENT PAGE, the FSSNOC CLUB STORE, and the most important page of all, the MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION PAGE ... check them out this week for a couple of photos that mesh with the storyline of Thumper News #132.

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     THIRD TIME WAS A CHARM, INDEED... 

     Hello JR,
    Very cool Thumper Garage this week with not 1, not 2, but 3  SUZUKI DR650's. One can never have too many of those. Great Thumper, that bike. I've only had 2 myself.
Vic Force, #3701, NC

     Yo Vic ... You'll get no argument from me!  I've only had one DR650, a 2007 model.  I rode it blissfully for 42,000 miles, sold it to a friend and fellow FSSNOC member #4570, Ron Bontrager, who has since doubled that odometer reading at 82,000+ miles!   Also, Irv Daley, a 90 years young Florida member, #3679, has a DR650 with over 150,000 miles on the clock.  I suspect there are others ... anyone have one out there in FSSNOC?  #000  

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​     WELL DONE, YOU (THUMPER GARAGE)!
     Great Thumper Garage last week ... and my favorite Suzuki DR650 was the one owned by FSSNOC #5343 ... beautiful bike! Have a great weekend! - Karla #5365

     Thanks, Karla!  That was the one owned by Gayle Vasseur, from Kentucky (on the History Page as I recall) - #000.

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     See the other pages on this site for more stuff ------------------->
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            (Website Details and Instructions: )   
     Hello Thumper Enthusiasts... 
     I'm Jack Robinson (FSSNOC #000), your club Director. It is an honor to introduce you to THE THUMPER GARAGE. This mini-venue is in addition to our legendary hard copy THUMPER NEWS quarterly magazine. After enjoying this page, please visit our other pages on this site. Go to the masthead above to make it happen...
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     You are encouraged to thump by the THUMPER GARAGE weekly. This is a FREE site for you and your friends.

     Members may contact us anytime 24/7 with comments, conversation, stories, or questions via a mailed letter, a phone call or an e-mail. When you E-mail, please give us your first name, your FSSNOC member number, and your state. You'll receive a courtesy confirmation E-mail back. Our actual response to your E-mail will generally be posted on the following Thursday's THUMPER GARAGE posting so be sure to tune back in then... (Address-phone number-email address is below... **)

     We encourage you to join our club: Complete the application found elsewhere on this site (click on "more" above) and mail it to us with $40 dues for a 12 month membership or save a few bucks by sending $75 for a 24 month membership. Include your shirt size so we can gift you a FREE club t-shirt if this is your initial membership.

     A subscription to THUMPER NEWS magazine, mailed to your mailbox, is included in your membership as well.

     Our U.S. POSTAL address is: FSSNOC   P.O. Box 1809,   Hutchinson, Ks   67504-1809. 
To call our club, phone 620-663-1869 or you may send an E-mail: FSSNOCTHUMPERS@yahoo.com
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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