A picture for THUMPER GARAGE ...
Here's a picture of a Ducati for sale ($9000). I've always wished I had a chance to own such a machine. Maybe one of our club members did (or does) and could let me know what they are really like.
...Steve Oakman #5266 - Nebraska
I had a Sprint, Steve, my third bike and my second Thumper ... some similarities, many differences. Same country of origin so it was at least kin to the Ducati, in a sense. I think these came in a 350cc and a 250cc version, look closely on the side cover, I think I see 322?
I read that these machines were part of a program that included machines of this nature from 124cc to 436cc, including some moto-cross versions and others with desmodromic valve train. Strangely enough, they may have been produced by a company called Mototrans, a Spanish-subsidirary of Ducati ... that's new news to me!
Isn't it interesting that with all the current companies now days who are having their machines made out of their homeland, this isn't the first time this has happened, apparently. The Sprint I owned was branded Harley Davidson but was actually made by Aer Macchi of Italy, who I think later became Cagiva, then perhaps later Aprilia, maybe...
Anyway, this was back in the sixties, so history repeats itself, as they say? Thank You, Steve ... you bailed me out again by sending that photo for the Thumper Garage page, you are the best, my friend! - #000.
..................................................................................................................................................................
We hear from Three Fenders, FSSNOC #0162 - Oklahoma:
From Three Fenders
https://www.bikeexif.com/sym-90-honda-cub-chopper?omhide=true
.........................................................................................................................
Hello all Fellow FSSNOC Members,
The current Coronavirus crisis going around is really crimping my Thumper riding. In California, we are under a mandatory “Shelter in Place”. Technically, we are not supposed to leave the house except for certain things.
I’m glad I attended the FSSNOC meet in Earp, California last February. Now it seems like a long time ago. Maybe we should have called it the “FSSNOC Ground HOG Meet”? Hopefully, we can have another FSSNOC meet later this year.
During the mandatory “Shelter in Place”, I’m making the best use of my time at home by working on my other motorcycle projects. Believe it or not, I still have some non-Thumpers still in my garage. My two 4-cylinder motorcycles that I will never get rid of are my 1930 KJ Henderson and my 1980 Vetter Mystery Ship (serial number 3 of 10 made).
The one really odd motorcycle in my garage is my electric motorcycle. It is an Energica EVA, made in Italy. I was curious about life in the electric lane so I got one. As usual my wife was miffed at me for getting it. With a 70-80 mile range, they are great for short trips around town but I would not use it for cross country trips.
Don’t worry my 2007 KLR (yes, the one with the huge box on back) is still my Thumper of choice to tour the country.
I think many of the FSSNOC members ages are in the seniors group (65 and over). Hopefully everyone will get through the Coronavirus unscathed. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again
Alan Smith (5286) - California
Hi Ya, Alan ... Great to hear from you as always! These are strange times, to say the least. I'm going to talk more on this on the Event Page so won't elaborate here. Stay well, my friend! - #000
.................................................................................................................................................................
Here we have a forward from Phil Schreck, #0162 - Oklahoma:
https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/bsa-motorcycles-cafe-racer/hodges-goldstar-clubman/?mc_cid=6d193c7ffe&mc_eid=8f9d3d6c42
From Three Fenders
..............................................................................................................................................................
GOTTA SHOULDER ON...
Jack,
First of all, I don't think you know that I had surgery on my shoulder to correct the damage incurred when I had my accident last year. Anyway, I'm getting over it but can only ride about 5 to 10 miles at a time. That's why I bought a JANUS (250 pounds),so I would have a light and easy to handle Thumper to ride while my shoulder is getting better.
However, the point of this message is that you put four posts (articles) in the latest Thumper News. I thought Mike's was viscerally reminiscent, Alan's( who spent a lot of time at Wisdom showing me the modifications he'd made to his motorcycle) totally fun, and ATP's was simply "pure gold" as you put it. I thank you for including mine, but it surely wasn't up to the quality of the others. If I get the opportunity to get in again, I promise I will make it worthwhile.
I still say, that being in this club is a very special experience for me and I hope it is for all the other members as well.
Take very good care of yourself and yours. I hope we can meet on the road again this year, but who knows with all that is going on now. ...Steve, #5266
Yo Steve ... yep, I knew you had some repair work done, but no particulars. Happy to hear that it is mending and you are back riding! As for your article in TN, rest assured that the author of a story or article is quite often its toughest critic ... case in point, you. (grin)
I pulled out a copy of TN138 and reread your piece, guess what? I enjoyed it all over again as have and will others who read it ... just Keep On Thumpin' ... and writing. I think you've already learned that when the trip is over, you're back at the house, the bike is cleaned up, and so on ... writing about your experience adds yet another side to the trip, a side that many don't get to experience, so write on... #000
................................................................................................................................................................
THUMPER NEWS ARRIVES!
Yesterday the mail lady delivered Thumper News 138. I was really looking forward to at least a hint as to a location and date of the next ThumperCafe. But alas, not a word except for the inside front cover saying you are still working on it. Bummer!!! Then as I was heading to the recycle trash with the envelope, there it was, right above my address. Now I’m good to go and can start making plans to be there.
Lots to read in this latest issue, will take a couple days for me to read cover to cover. As is my custom, I like to read travel reports with Google Earth on my laptop so I can follow along. Mike made that really easy to do, what an interesting RR. You should give him a 50% pay raise.
BTW, does anyone know why they call it a Tengai? I’m sure Mike has heard this before. That’s because it takes 10 guys to pick it up when it falls over. I remember that from a road test I read in probably 1990.
Jack, you need to come clean and tell us about the Yamaha WR250. After keeping us guessing for several weeks. By know we all know what the mystery bike is but we need to hear the whole story. Is the XT still in your garage or did it move on? What’s the deal?
Pardon me for my rambling nonsense. I blame it on the Corona and having to stay cooped up in the house. Spring is here so let’s ride.
...Later, Vic Force, #3701, NC.
Howdy, Vic ... Fun to read your stuff, Dude! That sticker on the outside of the Thumper News envelope was supposed to draw attention to the event, wonder where I went wrong? Some would say, maybe at birth? Ha! Ha! Anyway, here we are, stuck in Corona-land, but better to be stuck than sick, I guess ... and speaking of the WR250R, it's still in the "Upcoming stuff" basket, but one of these days... #000
................................................................................................................................................................. I'm headed for a brief stop on the History Page, then on to the Event Page where we'll have some more conversation, so if you can be there, I will see YOU there at the EVENT PAGE... JACK, #000
P.S. Invite someone you know to join our club?
................................................................................................................................................................................................................ below this line, Earlier Posts:
I received my copy of Thumper News #138 yesterday... Wow! My work has been published. And the lead article - which is sort of like "above the fold", don't you think? Mike #5244, Missouri
Hi Ya, Mike! I gotta tell you, I enjoyed your story. How many Thumper-related memories do we all have that could be shared in this manner? I'll answer my own question here, it'd be in the tens of thousands, I'm sure! Just like that ole cliche about one man's junk is another man's treasure ... One man's memories when shared can lead to another man's future adventure! Take Mike's lead here, Guys and Gals ... send us your Thumper memories, we can use them here or in Thumper News, either way, just like Mike above, you will have been published...
Thank You, Mike - it was a good ride, errr ... read! - #000
...............................................................................................................................................................
ANYONE LIKE CAFE RACERS?
https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/yamaha-motorcycle-cafe-racer/top-10-builds/?mc_cid=9cbdab5c41&mc_eid=8f9d3d6c42
From Three Fenders aka Phil Schreck, FSSNOC #0162 - Oklahoma
Hey, Phil ... Good to hear from you! Seems like EVERYONE likes Cafe Racers these days, very in-vogue...
Funny how "custom" motorcycles seem to get on a particular tangent and everyone turns out the same thing, ie ... strip it down, chub it up, no fenders, knobby tires, and, oh yeah, flat black everything ... "BOOM! We have a custom bike, a Cafe Racer ... (grin) ... oh well, there are lots of ways to enjoy a motorcycle and I'm cool with that and I've liked Cafe Racers ever since I came back from the War! - #000.
.............................................................................................................................................................
Interesting to look through this and say'
"Wow! Woulda, Shoulda, Coulda..."
Or.....look at the motorcycles you haven't sold along the way, and say: "Hmmmm....$$" Ken Conrad, FSSNOC #4800 ... snowbound in Montana
Ken ... your stuff wouldn't work here but I'll just invite our viewers to google "Motorcycle Price Guide - Halfcourt Press" (sounds like basketball to me, or maybe it comes from "basket case"), no guarantee what you'll find but you can try, eh?
What Ken is getting at, I have an illustration, a verbal illustration, uhhh, an illustration, verbally? ...
One time years ago I bought a non-running BSA Four-Stroke Single, maybe a B33, but I was never clear on exactly what I had. It was a BSA, a cast iron Thumper, with a rolling chassis and a few boxes of motor and related (most of them) parts. Likely a 350cc or a 500cc, not sure which. I gave the hapless seller $25.00.
Through the years, I moved several times, moving the cardboard-boxed BSA as well. Over time the cardboard boxes got softer and softer, sometimes even to the extinct of pieces falling through the crack in the bottom!
Several years later I sold the BSA and boxes to a motorcycle collecting guy in nearby Wichita city. He was a colorful guy, some considered him a bit on the eccentric side, no disrespect intended.
When he asked me, "Is it all there?"
I replied, "No, I may have lost some pieces over the years."
He said, "Good! I'll give you $700.00." (See? Eccentric, maybe?)
Within minutes, I was unloading his BSA.
Another several years pass as years are prone to do, I note in a publication that a similar bike, though this one in one piece, was price for sale at $3000.00.
As Ken noted, "Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda" ...#000.
..................................................................................................................................................................
The thread is: The Best Pie State by State.
GliderJohn, a regular contributor to the forum, posts:
Only cafe in Dover, KS on HWY4 SW of Topeka.
Only cafe in Durham, KS on K-15 about 25 miles S of Abilene.
Carriage House in Yoder, KS on K96 S of Hutchinson about 12 miles.
All serve excellent pies and usually have a variety ... GliderJohn
Jack, I wonder if you know this guy.... And have you been to all his choices?
Maynard, FSSNOC #1196 - Colorado
Not bad, not bad at all! The best pie was made by Ruth at Ruth's Cafe in Partridge, Kansas, but, to my regret, she retired after a short stint of 64 years of single-handedly serving a bevy of hungry farmers and one Thumper rider almost every day for those years. I began eating there in the '70s, continuing until a couple of years ago. It was about a 30 mile round trip but there was lots of ways to make it longer. I'd ride over there to get out of the city and to eat with the farmers who talked about wheat, livestock, rain, etc ... anything but motorcycles which gave me a break in my day at the motorcycle shop and reminded my of my misspent youth on the farm.
Ruth's best pie was the double-crust cherry, still warm from the oven! Sometimes I'd eat two pieces ... after a big plate of real hand-peeled potatoes, homemade gravy, green beans or corn, fried (pan-fried, likely in lard) chicken (wings were my favorite ... she delighted in spoiling me by giving me four, sometimes five wings), two pieces of bread with jelly or jam out of a big jar with a common spoon. She'd grasp the ice tea gallon jar by the neck, fingers inside the jar, sometimes in the tea, and pour glass after glass for us all, no one died in all those 64 years. Ruth ran a tight-ship, give her a tiny bit too much guff and you were out the door. I came close almost weekly! It was a wonderful place. I dearly miss it...
Your man, Maynard, is spot-on with Dover ... there is good pie there, as well as Carriage Crossing, but he must have missed Carolyn's Essenhaus (Eating House in German) in nearby Arlington. My favorite there is undoubtedly the served cold sour cream raisin, made daily by her aged Dad who gets up at 3AM every work day to make and bake the pies. As they say, if you are ever in the area, Carolyn's ... and come by and get me!
Durham is interesting, homemade stuff in some cases, worthy of a stop but not in the top five in my pie book. I could go on for awhile but don't want to burn you out, and I am making myself REALLY hungry for some pie, maybe what we call a "Pie Ride" is on tomorrow's menu, eh? Anyone want to go, shoot me a text... #000.
.................................................................................................................................................................
"HI" ... TO ALL MY FELLOW THUMPERS...
Back in 2018, I sold my road-going Scooter because of the aches and pains that come with being 76 years old. BUT ... within about 6 months, I felt empty in my spirit. All the areas of my life were good, but I began to realize just how much I missed the adventure of my mini-road trips, the discovering of new-to-me towns with Mom and Pop cafes, and the meditation while watching the sun rise and set over the beautiful countryside ... all from my Four-Stroke Single, my Thumper.
So, I am removing myself from an early obituary ... I've purchased a new Yamaha 300cc single-cylinder Scooter. I now have four mini-road trips under my 78 year old belt and I plan to continue my adventures until the vultures drag me off!
... your friend, Wayne K. FSSNOC #2677 - Kansas
AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME ... I've now changed my mantra from "Keep On Thumpin'!" to "Never Stop Thumpin'!" ... Very cool, Wayne, this made my day! Thank You! - #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
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Here's a picture of a Ducati for sale ($9000). I've always wished I had a chance to own such a machine. Maybe one of our club members did (or does) and could let me know what they are really like.
...Steve Oakman #5266 - Nebraska
I had a Sprint, Steve, my third bike and my second Thumper ... some similarities, many differences. Same country of origin so it was at least kin to the Ducati, in a sense. I think these came in a 350cc and a 250cc version, look closely on the side cover, I think I see 322?
I read that these machines were part of a program that included machines of this nature from 124cc to 436cc, including some moto-cross versions and others with desmodromic valve train. Strangely enough, they may have been produced by a company called Mototrans, a Spanish-subsidirary of Ducati ... that's new news to me!
Isn't it interesting that with all the current companies now days who are having their machines made out of their homeland, this isn't the first time this has happened, apparently. The Sprint I owned was branded Harley Davidson but was actually made by Aer Macchi of Italy, who I think later became Cagiva, then perhaps later Aprilia, maybe...
Anyway, this was back in the sixties, so history repeats itself, as they say? Thank You, Steve ... you bailed me out again by sending that photo for the Thumper Garage page, you are the best, my friend! - #000.
..................................................................................................................................................................
We hear from Three Fenders, FSSNOC #0162 - Oklahoma:
From Three Fenders
https://www.bikeexif.com/sym-90-honda-cub-chopper?omhide=true
.........................................................................................................................
Hello all Fellow FSSNOC Members,
The current Coronavirus crisis going around is really crimping my Thumper riding. In California, we are under a mandatory “Shelter in Place”. Technically, we are not supposed to leave the house except for certain things.
I’m glad I attended the FSSNOC meet in Earp, California last February. Now it seems like a long time ago. Maybe we should have called it the “FSSNOC Ground HOG Meet”? Hopefully, we can have another FSSNOC meet later this year.
During the mandatory “Shelter in Place”, I’m making the best use of my time at home by working on my other motorcycle projects. Believe it or not, I still have some non-Thumpers still in my garage. My two 4-cylinder motorcycles that I will never get rid of are my 1930 KJ Henderson and my 1980 Vetter Mystery Ship (serial number 3 of 10 made).
The one really odd motorcycle in my garage is my electric motorcycle. It is an Energica EVA, made in Italy. I was curious about life in the electric lane so I got one. As usual my wife was miffed at me for getting it. With a 70-80 mile range, they are great for short trips around town but I would not use it for cross country trips.
Don’t worry my 2007 KLR (yes, the one with the huge box on back) is still my Thumper of choice to tour the country.
I think many of the FSSNOC members ages are in the seniors group (65 and over). Hopefully everyone will get through the Coronavirus unscathed. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again
Alan Smith (5286) - California
Hi Ya, Alan ... Great to hear from you as always! These are strange times, to say the least. I'm going to talk more on this on the Event Page so won't elaborate here. Stay well, my friend! - #000
.................................................................................................................................................................
Here we have a forward from Phil Schreck, #0162 - Oklahoma:
https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/bsa-motorcycles-cafe-racer/hodges-goldstar-clubman/?mc_cid=6d193c7ffe&mc_eid=8f9d3d6c42
From Three Fenders
..............................................................................................................................................................
GOTTA SHOULDER ON...
Jack,
First of all, I don't think you know that I had surgery on my shoulder to correct the damage incurred when I had my accident last year. Anyway, I'm getting over it but can only ride about 5 to 10 miles at a time. That's why I bought a JANUS (250 pounds),so I would have a light and easy to handle Thumper to ride while my shoulder is getting better.
However, the point of this message is that you put four posts (articles) in the latest Thumper News. I thought Mike's was viscerally reminiscent, Alan's( who spent a lot of time at Wisdom showing me the modifications he'd made to his motorcycle) totally fun, and ATP's was simply "pure gold" as you put it. I thank you for including mine, but it surely wasn't up to the quality of the others. If I get the opportunity to get in again, I promise I will make it worthwhile.
I still say, that being in this club is a very special experience for me and I hope it is for all the other members as well.
Take very good care of yourself and yours. I hope we can meet on the road again this year, but who knows with all that is going on now. ...Steve, #5266
Yo Steve ... yep, I knew you had some repair work done, but no particulars. Happy to hear that it is mending and you are back riding! As for your article in TN, rest assured that the author of a story or article is quite often its toughest critic ... case in point, you. (grin)
I pulled out a copy of TN138 and reread your piece, guess what? I enjoyed it all over again as have and will others who read it ... just Keep On Thumpin' ... and writing. I think you've already learned that when the trip is over, you're back at the house, the bike is cleaned up, and so on ... writing about your experience adds yet another side to the trip, a side that many don't get to experience, so write on... #000
................................................................................................................................................................
THUMPER NEWS ARRIVES!
Yesterday the mail lady delivered Thumper News 138. I was really looking forward to at least a hint as to a location and date of the next ThumperCafe. But alas, not a word except for the inside front cover saying you are still working on it. Bummer!!! Then as I was heading to the recycle trash with the envelope, there it was, right above my address. Now I’m good to go and can start making plans to be there.
Lots to read in this latest issue, will take a couple days for me to read cover to cover. As is my custom, I like to read travel reports with Google Earth on my laptop so I can follow along. Mike made that really easy to do, what an interesting RR. You should give him a 50% pay raise.
BTW, does anyone know why they call it a Tengai? I’m sure Mike has heard this before. That’s because it takes 10 guys to pick it up when it falls over. I remember that from a road test I read in probably 1990.
Jack, you need to come clean and tell us about the Yamaha WR250. After keeping us guessing for several weeks. By know we all know what the mystery bike is but we need to hear the whole story. Is the XT still in your garage or did it move on? What’s the deal?
Pardon me for my rambling nonsense. I blame it on the Corona and having to stay cooped up in the house. Spring is here so let’s ride.
...Later, Vic Force, #3701, NC.
Howdy, Vic ... Fun to read your stuff, Dude! That sticker on the outside of the Thumper News envelope was supposed to draw attention to the event, wonder where I went wrong? Some would say, maybe at birth? Ha! Ha! Anyway, here we are, stuck in Corona-land, but better to be stuck than sick, I guess ... and speaking of the WR250R, it's still in the "Upcoming stuff" basket, but one of these days... #000
................................................................................................................................................................. I'm headed for a brief stop on the History Page, then on to the Event Page where we'll have some more conversation, so if you can be there, I will see YOU there at the EVENT PAGE... JACK, #000
P.S. Invite someone you know to join our club?
................................................................................................................................................................................................................ below this line, Earlier Posts:
I received my copy of Thumper News #138 yesterday... Wow! My work has been published. And the lead article - which is sort of like "above the fold", don't you think? Mike #5244, Missouri
Hi Ya, Mike! I gotta tell you, I enjoyed your story. How many Thumper-related memories do we all have that could be shared in this manner? I'll answer my own question here, it'd be in the tens of thousands, I'm sure! Just like that ole cliche about one man's junk is another man's treasure ... One man's memories when shared can lead to another man's future adventure! Take Mike's lead here, Guys and Gals ... send us your Thumper memories, we can use them here or in Thumper News, either way, just like Mike above, you will have been published...
Thank You, Mike - it was a good ride, errr ... read! - #000
...............................................................................................................................................................
ANYONE LIKE CAFE RACERS?
https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/yamaha-motorcycle-cafe-racer/top-10-builds/?mc_cid=9cbdab5c41&mc_eid=8f9d3d6c42
From Three Fenders aka Phil Schreck, FSSNOC #0162 - Oklahoma
Hey, Phil ... Good to hear from you! Seems like EVERYONE likes Cafe Racers these days, very in-vogue...
Funny how "custom" motorcycles seem to get on a particular tangent and everyone turns out the same thing, ie ... strip it down, chub it up, no fenders, knobby tires, and, oh yeah, flat black everything ... "BOOM! We have a custom bike, a Cafe Racer ... (grin) ... oh well, there are lots of ways to enjoy a motorcycle and I'm cool with that and I've liked Cafe Racers ever since I came back from the War! - #000.
.............................................................................................................................................................
Interesting to look through this and say'
"Wow! Woulda, Shoulda, Coulda..."
Or.....look at the motorcycles you haven't sold along the way, and say: "Hmmmm....$$" Ken Conrad, FSSNOC #4800 ... snowbound in Montana
Ken ... your stuff wouldn't work here but I'll just invite our viewers to google "Motorcycle Price Guide - Halfcourt Press" (sounds like basketball to me, or maybe it comes from "basket case"), no guarantee what you'll find but you can try, eh?
What Ken is getting at, I have an illustration, a verbal illustration, uhhh, an illustration, verbally? ...
One time years ago I bought a non-running BSA Four-Stroke Single, maybe a B33, but I was never clear on exactly what I had. It was a BSA, a cast iron Thumper, with a rolling chassis and a few boxes of motor and related (most of them) parts. Likely a 350cc or a 500cc, not sure which. I gave the hapless seller $25.00.
Through the years, I moved several times, moving the cardboard-boxed BSA as well. Over time the cardboard boxes got softer and softer, sometimes even to the extinct of pieces falling through the crack in the bottom!
Several years later I sold the BSA and boxes to a motorcycle collecting guy in nearby Wichita city. He was a colorful guy, some considered him a bit on the eccentric side, no disrespect intended.
When he asked me, "Is it all there?"
I replied, "No, I may have lost some pieces over the years."
He said, "Good! I'll give you $700.00." (See? Eccentric, maybe?)
Within minutes, I was unloading his BSA.
Another several years pass as years are prone to do, I note in a publication that a similar bike, though this one in one piece, was price for sale at $3000.00.
As Ken noted, "Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda" ...#000.
..................................................................................................................................................................
The thread is: The Best Pie State by State.
GliderJohn, a regular contributor to the forum, posts:
Only cafe in Dover, KS on HWY4 SW of Topeka.
Only cafe in Durham, KS on K-15 about 25 miles S of Abilene.
Carriage House in Yoder, KS on K96 S of Hutchinson about 12 miles.
All serve excellent pies and usually have a variety ... GliderJohn
Jack, I wonder if you know this guy.... And have you been to all his choices?
Maynard, FSSNOC #1196 - Colorado
Not bad, not bad at all! The best pie was made by Ruth at Ruth's Cafe in Partridge, Kansas, but, to my regret, she retired after a short stint of 64 years of single-handedly serving a bevy of hungry farmers and one Thumper rider almost every day for those years. I began eating there in the '70s, continuing until a couple of years ago. It was about a 30 mile round trip but there was lots of ways to make it longer. I'd ride over there to get out of the city and to eat with the farmers who talked about wheat, livestock, rain, etc ... anything but motorcycles which gave me a break in my day at the motorcycle shop and reminded my of my misspent youth on the farm.
Ruth's best pie was the double-crust cherry, still warm from the oven! Sometimes I'd eat two pieces ... after a big plate of real hand-peeled potatoes, homemade gravy, green beans or corn, fried (pan-fried, likely in lard) chicken (wings were my favorite ... she delighted in spoiling me by giving me four, sometimes five wings), two pieces of bread with jelly or jam out of a big jar with a common spoon. She'd grasp the ice tea gallon jar by the neck, fingers inside the jar, sometimes in the tea, and pour glass after glass for us all, no one died in all those 64 years. Ruth ran a tight-ship, give her a tiny bit too much guff and you were out the door. I came close almost weekly! It was a wonderful place. I dearly miss it...
Your man, Maynard, is spot-on with Dover ... there is good pie there, as well as Carriage Crossing, but he must have missed Carolyn's Essenhaus (Eating House in German) in nearby Arlington. My favorite there is undoubtedly the served cold sour cream raisin, made daily by her aged Dad who gets up at 3AM every work day to make and bake the pies. As they say, if you are ever in the area, Carolyn's ... and come by and get me!
Durham is interesting, homemade stuff in some cases, worthy of a stop but not in the top five in my pie book. I could go on for awhile but don't want to burn you out, and I am making myself REALLY hungry for some pie, maybe what we call a "Pie Ride" is on tomorrow's menu, eh? Anyone want to go, shoot me a text... #000.
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"HI" ... TO ALL MY FELLOW THUMPERS...
Back in 2018, I sold my road-going Scooter because of the aches and pains that come with being 76 years old. BUT ... within about 6 months, I felt empty in my spirit. All the areas of my life were good, but I began to realize just how much I missed the adventure of my mini-road trips, the discovering of new-to-me towns with Mom and Pop cafes, and the meditation while watching the sun rise and set over the beautiful countryside ... all from my Four-Stroke Single, my Thumper.
So, I am removing myself from an early obituary ... I've purchased a new Yamaha 300cc single-cylinder Scooter. I now have four mini-road trips under my 78 year old belt and I plan to continue my adventures until the vultures drag me off!
... your friend, Wayne K. FSSNOC #2677 - Kansas
AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME ... I've now changed my mantra from "Keep On Thumpin'!" to "Never Stop Thumpin'!" ... Very cool, Wayne, this made my day! Thank You! - #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 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!
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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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