FSSNOC THUMPER GARAGE
************************************************************************************
THIS WEBSITE UPDATE IS FOR ... 09-20-18
ATTENTION: OUR NEXT ANTICIPATED UPDATE IS ... 09-27-18
See "Website Details and Instruction" section at the bottom of all this great conversation.
***************************************************************
EXPLORING ON A THUMPER ... ALMOST IN MY OWN BACKYARD!
Inspired by this month's FSSNOC 2018 Thumper Calendar photo, I went out and took a shot of my Suzuki DR650 in similar surroundings. This spot is only a couple miles from my house. Not as good as Mr. Fast's picture, the weeds have grown up tall and block the view some. Not many locals know of this spot. It's on a dead end, private road. There isn't much a FSSNOC member hasn't found. They've been everywhere.
Hurricane Florence pretty much left us alone in my area. One neighbor did have a large oak tree come down but didn't hit an structures. We dodged a bullet here, not so much in the low part of North Carolina.
Safe thumping to all the club members out there. Vic Force, #3701, NC
Glad you made it through the storm, Vic! That's a great shot (above in our masthead) ... and a point well taken. Sometimes in our haste to go other places, we can overlook the beauty of our own neighboring area. As for myself, I tend to ride the paved roads in my own area throughout the warm weather months, then come the winter cool/cold season, we call it the "Salt Season" hereabouts, 'cause of all the junk the road department puts on the asphalt, I switch over to the dirt roads. Kansas has a huge grid of roads, the big paved roads are state/federal highways, the next are rural blacktop roads, usually maintained by the local county, then comes the township roads, a labyrinth of dirt roads that hooks everyone up to the other grids from remote farms and fields, riverbank fishing holes, pasture gates, two-track "fire" roads, etc... lots of exploring opportunities and because of our seasons, each year's riding seems fresh and new. As I write, I feel kinda warm and fuzzy about the upcoming winter's riding! Best Wishes, Vic! - #000
##########################################################################################
THUMPER NEWS #132 REVIEW:
Hi Jack(#000);
You story 'Welcome to Greybull' in TN#132 was great. I know I'll be reading it a few more times so I know it is special. It makes me wish I had your Honda Repsol seat on my DRZ400SM. I love my bike, but need to do something about the seat. :)
Are there any FSSNOCs involved or riding with this years Cannonball Run?
Gary Johnston (#3635) Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Hi Ya, Gary ... Thanks for the positive comments on TN#132! It was fun to do and when one's task is enjoyable, you can't ask for anything better, eh?
As for that Suzuki DR-Z400SM seat, I have a DR-Z400S and I ordered a seat package kit from Seat Concepts.com. It came as a foam pad and a matching cover for less than $200. I had a local upholstery guy put it together for me, he charged me $20, I gave him $30. They, Seat Concepts, now have a variety of models to choose from, so I am told. I enjoy mine and the quality is very good. You might give them a shout ... and I think Corbin has a seat for the SM as well.
See the History Page for some content on this years Cannonball. I've been following that event for the duration, really fun stuff. The 2016 route went through our heartland USA area and for the best part of two weeks, we immersed ourselves in this rolling history show! - #000.
###########################################################################################
CANADIAN MONEY ORDER CASHING WOES:
Hi Jack;
I am deeply surprised that you had any issue with cashing the secure, Canada Post US dollar money order. This is exactly how I have paid the last several renewals. Done for the small $8.48 non-refundable service charge to get a secure, guaranteed, US dollar postal money order.
There is not an option for me, in Canada, where I live, to find a US bank to attempt to get another 'money order'.
Did you try at your US Post office? They have been cashing these cheques (in US funds) since 2007.
https://about.usps.com/postal- bulletin/2007/html/pb22220/ info_003.html
I have found some comments about some specific banks not cashing the Money Orders (MO) but those who had issues found other banks for the US dollar MOs. It looks like by policy, the USPS will cash the Canada Post issued MO. Do they charge you to do this (I don't know)?
So, I can resend you the money order I have and you could try again, or at USPS or another bank? Otherwise I am not sure how to pay for my renewal. How do other Canadian members pay you?
Thanks Jack. Please let me know what I can do... :)
Gary Johnston, FSSNOC #3635 - CANADA
Hi again, Gary ... Sorry for the mix-up! Will give you a call now that I have a working number. For now, concerning payments from any Out-of-USA addresses/members, what we currently need here at FSSNOC is payment in check or money order made in USA funds (dollars) on a USA bank. Should this change, I'll make the other options known via this website at a later date. I'll give you a shout soon, Gary ... Thanks much! - #000.
##########################################################################################
"I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW"
.... from Three Fenders, FSSNOC #162 - Oklahoma
Good afternoon "ooo"
I thought I would send you an update on my Aermacchi.
As you know the Aermacchi has a hi-tech 6v electrical System with a 5 inch two candle power headlight.
Being a lover of good lights, I wanted to improve the headlight.
I wanted to put in a L. E .D light but finding a LED H4 bulb isn't easy.
I did find one on E-bay.
I put it in . It wouldn't even fire. I got my money back.
The next one I found would fire, but flickered at low speed.
I finally found a 6v to 12v converter. I wired it into the headlight system. It worked like a CHAMP.
I now have a headlight!
It's not Gold Wing light, but you can now see it during the day.
I left the rest of the system stock 6v.
The whole system doesn't seem to use much power, so it doesn't run the system down !
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it !!!!!!
Thump Thump !
Dear Nightrider ... (that's a joke!) ... glad you achieved your goal. Perseverance, my friend, perseverance. - #000.
##########################################################################################
ANOTHER THUMPER NEWS #132 REVIEW:
I enjoyed your travelogue on the trip to Greybull.
I have enclosed a short story for the Thumper News.
Charlie Bishop, FSSNOC #5371 - Arkansas
Thank You, Charlie ... I put your story in the "bank" for a future Thumper News! Very nice to hear from you ... enjoy those upcoming Autumn color miles. Carrie and I are currently dreaming of making it down to your area sometime yet this Fall, hope that will actually happen. Those Ozark roads are super fun and very scenic, 'specially from the saddle of a Thumper! See you up the road, Charlie! - #000
####################################################################
For more COMMENTS AND CONVERSATION ... find that on THE HISTORY PAGE and THE EVENT PAGE.
To order ... CLUB MEMBER EXCLUSIVE THUMPER WEAR, go to THE FSSNOC CLUB STORE PAGE.
To join ... OUR NATIONWIDE THUMPER BASED CLUB, go to THE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION PAGE. When you are done, have a fun week! We hope to see you here at the THUMPER GARAGE each and every week on THUMPER THURSDAY.
Tell your friends to STOP BY HERE as well. NO PASSWORD, NO SECRET HANDSHAKE, It's our gift to the sport and lifestyle of MOTORCYCLING! WELCOME!
Now, I'M GOING FOR A THUMPER RIDE, gonna get some lunch and some wind in my face ... should you see me, GIVE ME A WAVE?
KEEP ON THUMPIN' ... JACK, FSSNOC #000/DIRECTOR
###################################################################
POSTS BELOW ARE FROM A PREVIOUS WEEK'S UPDATE:
Gemma Rickner, FSSNOC #4848 - Kansas ... as she crosses the border into Colorado on her way to join other FSSNOC members at the 2018 FSSNOC THUMPERCAFE near Creede, CO. (our featured photo earlier this month)
NOTE: If you sent a post to this edition of THUMPER GARAGE, and you don't see it posted below, FSSNOC has likely elected to put it into our Thumper News "bank" for publication at a later date in our hard copy magazine ... this is the case here with Gemma's account of her first solo trip aboard the Honda CRF250L in the shot above. Thank you, Gemma!
ALSO OF NOTE: For those who attended the THUMPERCAFE's this year, we would love to read about your trip and/or your comments and impressions of the FSSNOC gathering that you attended as per the post-event request sent out to you from the club.
Of course, as you may have read about in TN#132, we would love to hear from any member who has a thumper-related experience or comment, so please don't hesitate to set down and compose a letter or article or whatever for use by FSSNOC in our club media.
Email your finished material to: FSSNOCthumpers@yahoo.com
(should you send a photo, send it as an attachment to your email)
or USPS mail to: FSSNOC P.O. Box 1809, Hutchinson, Ks. 67504-1809
AND, OF FURTHER NOTE: FSSNOC, after a 32 year run of having two Post Office boxes, to save our club a farthing or two, has decided to close P.O. Box 1804 ... leaving us with P. O. Box #1809, the address used above, please adjust your records accordingly...
FSSNOC members are awesome! Thank You, all of you! If anyone has a suggested location for next years THUMPERCAFE events, speak up now, we'd love to hear your ideas!
Now on with the THUMPER GARAGE below... Jack, #000/Director at Large
***************************************************************
"It was amazing. Laying on the grass berm, downhill from, I think it was, Kate's Cottage to Creg Ny Baa, watching them accelerate, downhill, for maybe a half mile to a hard 90 degree right, I was literally within an arm's reach as they flew by at about 150mph. Astounding. I could feel the bow wave as they streak past and hear the air off the fairing. Kinda like being close to a fast airplane going by. It was an incredible experience being there. Later, I rode the course. I have absolutely no idea how Michael Dunlop averaged just short of 134mph, and from a standing start (!), the year I was there." Ken Conrad, FSSNOC #4800 - Montana
***************************************************************
Hello JR, Voted, by me, best picture on this years FSSNOC calendar, Sept-Oct. Not just because I happen to own a Suzuki DR650 either, although this one looks better than mine. However, I have to ask, where is Sugar Creek in Butler Hollow? I'm almost certain it ain't in Kansas.
Enjoy your Thumpers, Vic Force, #3701, NC
That photo is Sir George Fast, FSSNOC #5263 ... who lives down the street here in ThumperVille, however, he spends a good portion of the good riding seasons in the neighboring state of Missouri ... so you are correct, Vic ... it isn't in Kansas! ... #000.
***************************************************************
Just wanted to give you a heads up that I think my next door neighbor (Garrett Smith, Eagle CO)is going to join the group. I gave him the hard copy of the Thumper news #131 to read & he told me that he plans to join. He may have already sent an check. Thanks, Phil (#5413) - Colorado
Hi ya, Phil! Yeah, this time it's better than "the check is in the mail", the check is already "in the bank"! Garrett is now FSSNOC #5419. How cool is that, to have a fellow FSSNOC member living next door? Well done, Phil, well done! See, FSSNOC Guys and Gals, it is that easy to grow our club ... and it sometimes takes but a wee effort to get the ball rolling. Those "yeller" cards laying on your dresser at home are for handing out to prospective members, and those prospective members are literally everywhere... Thanks much, Phil! - #000.
***************************************************************
I really enjoyed Thumper News issue #132 (MR. THUMPER GOES TO GREYBULL). I am emailing you because I don’t think you should go on a motorcycle trip without a FSSNOC shirt. I just think that is wrong. On a more serious note, I didn’t make any events this year. I hope next year goes much better. I had a little health problem this summer that prevented me from riding. It is very disappointing to go in the garage and see your motorcycles and not ride them. Oh well, things are much better now. Hope to see you next year. FSSNOC is the best. ...Dave Thom, FSSNOC #2585 - North Dakota
Three things, Dave ...
First, please know that I, having never been so bold before, remain a little hesitant on how my travelogue will/would be received by the FSSNOC membership. Thank you for your comments on that subject.
Secondly, I shall consider myself duly reprimanded and with just cause, having not only left my FSSNOC club shirt behind, but also in reporting same to the membership! Thank you for that! Upon reading TN#132 again after the mailing and before receiving your post here on the Thumper Garage, I did note that I had set a very poor example as we ALWAYS ask and encourage members to wear their club gear and particularly to and at a FSSNOC gathering! What was I thinking? However, and in my defense, I did take a FSSNOC yellow cap and I wore it every off-bike moment, so hopefully this will help ... but your point is a good one, Dave!
Thirdly, if there is such a word, sorry to hear of your "non-riding" health issue but equally thrilled to hear that things are better now. Riding motorcycles is such a part of who we are, it goes way past being described as a "hobby" or a "toy", when we aren't able to participate, it is simply major! Been there a couple of times, myself. But, having said that, it is "Oh, so sweet" when we can get back on!! Relish that, Dave, relish that... #000.
***************************************************************
Got the Thumper News #132 (MR. THUMPER GOES TO GREYBULL) today and thoroughly enjoyed reading of your experiences with the WBD-2018. I know it might get your goat, but from here on, I will always refer to you as Rain Man. I still remember the first time I met you when I rode with Dennis to meet you on your way to somewhere. It rained most of the way there and my carbs were soaked as I had pod filters on them (I know, too many cylinders). Anyway, you and I share a lot of similarities in the way we travel on motorcycles (except I always dry my socks on the bike's seat in the sun after washing them in the sink and I get some pretty strange looks from people checking in). It was a great issue. Glad we could get together and in Colorado as well. I really enjoyed meeting Carrie, she told me some things also. ...Steve Oakman #5266 - Nebraska
Hi Ya, Steve ... Yeah, it is raining somewhere on this earth at any one moment, or so I've been told. When one travels far enough, it is possible to find that rain. Actually, the August ride to Anamosa, Iowa and then to your home state of Nebraska, which incidentally was a beautiful part of our journey, and later on to Colorado, was relatively dry overall. To your point, Iowa did get 6 - 8 inches the day we were in the Museum, so we chose to stay overnight another night. By morning, the offending, or beneficial, depending upon your viewpoint, weather front had past over us and, no pun intended, it was smooth sailing after that as we headed West. We even made it all the way through Colorado without getting wet and you must admit, the day at Freemon's was simply spectacular, right? Crisp, clean, clear, warm, golden sunny Colorado morning ... it was an amazing experience to see everyone and their Thumpers in those idyllic conditions, was it not? ... #000.
P.S. Hey Steve ... check out the Event Page and take note of the location of our FAST FRIDAY lunch this week. Might be within your reach to join us for some food and foolishment, eh? That'd be really cool... and I promise, NO RAIN!
***************************************************************
Helped clean around the house today with the wife. It's pretty routine now, we both know which chores we own. Had some company this afternoon and had a nice visit with them. I was a bit weary from the house cleaning so a short nap was in order. Later, I went to the mailbox for today's mail. T'was a big haul today! I unloaded the stack on the bed and, to my surprise, there was an envelope from FSSNOC!
After sorting through all the junk mail, I headed for my recliner and began to read your story. I read cover to cover in about 40 minutes (slow reader - and who speed reads in a recliner anyway?). It was a very good read, Jack! I felt like I was there. Thanks! Bob Alumbaugh, FSSNOC #5331- Arizona
Yo Bob ... I enjoyed your note. Thanks for sharing your day and thanks for the comments on TN#132 as well. While on the trip, I really enjoyed recapping the day each evening on my laptop computer. I think you would have enjoyed the ride ... #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 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
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<