(08/'22)
WELCOME TO THE THUMPERGARAGE, the media home of the FOUR-STROKE SINGLES NATIONAL OWNERS CLUB (FSSNOC) ... thumpin' together since 1986
HEADS-UP! This website update is for the next THREE weeks (!), our national event is to be going on in Oregon, USA and I plan to be there to see you all! August 18th, near Nyssa, Oregon (more info elsewhere on this multiple page website, check out all the pages before you thump home, okay? )
SO ... no website updates will be offered until I get back to ThumperVille in early September... - #000
(photo above ... google photo credit) Home of the Rock Store Grill ... let's cover up this place with Four-Stroke Singles, eh? Hope to see lots of FSSNOC folks there on the morning of August 18th... #000
This website's email is: FSSNOCthumpers@yahoo.com
Our phone is: 620-663-1869 for text or call
Note: Emails are answered ONLY here on the website ... so check back in for the next upcoming update to see and read our response to your email.
***********************************************************************************************
Hello JR,
Seems like all the members I've talked to have received their Thumper News #148 except me. Let's give it a couple more days to see if it shows up. If it does, I'll let you know. Thanks, Vic Force, #3701, NC
(Relax Jack, came in today's mail. Vic Force, #3701, NC)
********************************************************************************************
Hello Sir: When I first heard about the plan to hold a ThumperCafe up in Oregon, I was pretty excited. This would be the chance to meet you and some of the other folks in the club. But, alas, a deer has derailed my plan.
On June 26th, while out on an early morning ride to attend a classic car show, a deer bounced out in front of me with only a split second to react. We collided (I have no recall), but moments later found myself trying to get up….no go.
Long story short, I ended up in ICU with a broken fibula and tibia on my right leg, broken ankle on my left, 8 broken ribs, punched right lung, and a broken scapula on the right shoulder. Don’t know how the deer fared.
37 days later, I’m on the mend and feeling very blessed. My walker helps get me around and am getting stronger each day. However, no trip to Oregon.
To be sure, my riding days are not over! The Honda 250 I was riding is back in the garage for some day in the future….maybe.
ATGATT: at 73 years old, this rule saved my life.
I wish you all a safe and enjoyable journey to Oregon, and watch out for the deer!
Dale Valliant, FSSNOC #5369 - WA.
REPLY: Wow! Dale! Glad you are on the mend!! That was one NASTY hit you took... we'll miss you! Best to you, #000
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Subject: ROYAL ENFIED Classic 350
Dear Mr 000,
Just a quick note to say how much I like the 16 tooth on my 350. Have 135 miles on this gearing and find it to be very usable. Got 87.6 mpg today and was rolling around at mostly 55 to 60. The bike seems very happy at 55 or so. Might keep this one!!!
Heber...
*************************************************
NOW ... (photo last week) ... you see why we are going to NYSSA, OREGON instead of the earlier planned Lakeview, Oregon. I say this because of late, we've had more than one reference to seeing US in Lakeview ... not the case!
We've talked about it here on this website numerous times and also in TN#147 and TN#148 ... but just in case, here it is again:
Look for the Rock Store Grill within the confines of the Owyhee Grocery at 2499 Highway 201 part-way between Nyssa, Oregon and Adrian, Oregon.
We don't want to see anyone miss enjoying a sandwich/burger like the one featured above ... the Rock Store Grill motto is "Live Life Differently"
And, let me remind you to tell us if you plan to be there, and we need that info very soon. Call or text 1-620-663-1869 or you may email: FSSNOCthumpers@yahoo.com
And, if you don't get that done, come anyway ... travel safely!
All attendees are responsible for their own expenses so bring money from home ... read more about ThumperCafes in general on page 20 of TN#148.
ThumperCafes are for FSSNOC members.
They are static events where we Meet, Greet, and Eat.
Please, no alcohol before or during our gatherings.
Come hungry and happy with a smile on your face and a FSSNOC club t-shirt on your back.
Upon arrival ... introduce yourself, sign-in, put on a name tag so we can get acquainted and/or re-acquainted.
Arrive via any conveyance you wish...
If it isn't raining, come early if you'd like to chat a bit before our group meal at 10:58AM.
If you'd like to call our host, the number I have is 1-541-372-2121 ... and don't tell the tourists about this little gem, okay?
See YOU soon? Thump-Thump! - #000
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Howdy JR
I had a great time in Iowa. The ride was fantastic with Ron and Brad. We enjoyed some dirt along the way and also on the way back. I will get you a few more pictures ASAP.
I would love to come to Oregon, but Ron and I will be starting the Trans American Trail on the 19th. We are heading out from Hutchinson heading south to Manchester, Oklahoma, catching theTAT trail there and riding it to Colorado, then catching the Continental Divide ride route, heading north to Wyoming. I will share a few pictures and a ride report when we get home.
REPLY: Yo ATP ... Having previously ridden the TAT trail through that area, I suggest that you pick up the TAT at Gate, Oklahoma instead of Manchester (great place to eat at Laura's Cafe, cool tiny little town, we've been there several times with FSSNOC folks, including just last year - #000)
I will be in Kansas when we get back and promise to make a lunch ride.
REPLY: SURE you will, I've heard THAT before! - #000 (grin)
Safe Travels My Friend - (AND YOU AS WELL!! - #000)
Gary (Ace Thumper Pilot)
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Your question on page 36 of TN #148:
Carbureted bike running too rich at high altitude. Had a similar problem with my old Toyota pick in the green mountains of Vermont. That is why I prefer to buy fuel injected machines.
REPLY: My own Suzuki DR650 did this when it was six months old as I neared Broadus, Montana, elevation of 3028 feet above sea level, in early November of 2007. I had decided to venture out one more time that season to secure a goal of riding in 36 states on that bike within the first six months of ownership. Long story short, I got wet, I froze, I rode in hard, hard rain and lastly, the wind was so fierce that I had to put one foot on my side-stand to pin it to the ground so the wind didn't blow my bike over while I was attempting to put on a plastic rain suit, all the while, in the rain! What fun! Anyhow, my take on it was that I had the throttle pinned in too high of a gear, I "fixed" the issue by dropping a gear and using less throttle opening. My unprofessional diagnois was that my wide-open throttle was perhaps gas-fouling the spark plugs ... but, not sure how accurate that is... I sold the bike to its presents owner at about 44,000 miles ... think he is nearing 90,000 miles on it now. - #000
Enjoyed your Himalayan story, but I would like to know if you have modified it in any way. Air cleaner? Muffler? Cat delete head pipe?
REPLY: Nope, stone stock. I sense that a pipe and/or a less restrictive air cleaner would do wonders. It just seems to always be in a laboring mode. In the interest of reporting on the bike, I chose to leave it as it is marketed with the exception of the one-tooth added on counter-sprocket. See more on this below... - #000.
I’m trying to get some info for my upcoming Scram 411. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!
***Anyone who has any info on the above, feel free to chime in with what you have done. We don't give advice here at FSSNOC but it is always fun to read what others have done to their own machines... Thanks, Ben - good stuff! - #000.
Ben #5462
##########################################################################
Jack, thanks for issue 148, always a good read.
A hundred years ago, well 70, my first real bike was a 1937 Matchless 250. Overhead valves, open to cooling air, ex WD Teledraulic forks and the crowning glory, an alloy gas tank, polished naturally.
This bike was ridden mercilessly changing up through the gears when valve float occured. Today, I have added a 2021 Himalayan to the stable, tried a H---a CRF250 and hated it, no torque. Himmy has same power but twice the torque, so I guess I have gone full circle.
Naturally I find your comments interesting, I think a 16 t sprocket with a loaded bike is like going up hill all the time. With a TEC cam, you can get away with a 16 countershaft sprocket, but its not kind with a stock motor, so be kind and give up a tooth!
REPLY: Hi ya, Brian ... SO good to hear from you! Hey, can you shoot me a text at 1-620-663-1869. A year or two ago my phone told me to "click here" to make more storage space available. I did just that, one click ... BOOM! ... ALL my contacts were deleted! ... including yours ... so shoot me that text so I can holler at you if needed. Thank You, Good Sir!
Now, as to that gearing, you are absolutely correct, it make NO sense to gear-up an already under-powered bike, so why do it?
Out here in the Kansas Springtime wind with high humidity adding to the issue, makes for "thick" wind with lots of drag ... I was having to shift down to fourth gear to maintain 55mph into the wind, I geared it up so that fourth gear would allow me to run at a lower rpm than with stock gearing, kind split the difference.
You remember the old 3-speed Flathead Fords with overdrive? Sometimes my '51 would run faster in second/overdrive than in third or third overdrive ... similar deal, and when I get a tail wind with that 16 tooth, I can run with the taller dogs, but only until we turn a corner!
Our wind changes speed and texture in early Summer, used to be about the first of June, now days it is more like August (!) ... when that season is over, everyone takes a deep breath, and life is better for the next six months or so, then it happens all over again ... it's probably why we don't have tourists?
- Wishing you well, my friend! I still remember the day you had me roll that priceless 350 "Boy Racer" down that treacherous hillside so we could gather around it for your comments!! Hope you can come to Georgia, it's in your neighborhood, right? I know, you can bring another bike from George's museum and talk to us again, that'd be major cool, do consider it? - #000.
Ride often, ride safe, next ThumperCafe in the Himalayas, land of the snow?
Cheers
Brian
##########################################################################
Promoting the Club...
Hi Jack:
One hot day last week I had my "35 and counting" shirt on when I went to get a cold brew, coffee at Starbuck's, that is. The barista asked me what the "35 and counting" meant. I told her it was my age. I knew immediately that she didn't buy that by her gafaus and the dropping of my cold brew coffee.
So while we were cleaning up the mess, I explained that this is the thirty-fifth year of the Four Stroke Singles National Owners club. She accepted that as the truth.
Two lessons I learned from the exchange.
First, it's best not to lie.
Second, the shirt does work to elicit conversation about the club.
I'm at 3766 miles for the year with a 750 mile trip to Wisconsin for a BMW rally this weekend.
Stay cool. Lloyd, FSSNOC #5224
REPLY: Good job, Lloyd! Did you sign her up? I have three of those "35" shirts and usually wear all three during the week at some point ... besides I like the way they feel. - #000.
#########################################################################
BE SURE TO VISIT ALL THE PAGES ON THIS SITE, IT MIGHT GET BETTER ... OR NOT? THANK YOU FOR SLIDIN' BY, PLEASE CHECK IN WEEKLY TO SEE WHATZ HAPPENIN' HERE AT THE USA CENTER OF THUMPERDOM...
KEEP ON _______________________________! (CAN YOU FILL IN THE BLANK?)
#########################################################################
FSSNOC ... IS on a national YouTube Podcast - don't miss it. Advise your friends to view it as well...
Wanna listen/view a podcast ... DO CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZb4CgjfmEk
The podcast above was generated by Janus Motorcycles in Goshen, Indiana. EP.#1 ... In this podcast, FSSNOC #000 (Jack) is the guest, hereby being interviewed by Richard and Grant from JANUS MOTORCYCLES.
Play/View time is a tick over an hour so some popcorn might be nice, I like the chocolate drizzle kind, btw. Formal wear (FSSNOC club t-shirts, cap, etc...) adds to the mood, but not mandatory. Contact your friends, invite them in, share as you like. No cheat sheets, no prompt boards, no prior discussion was used to make this podcast.
If you like it, tell JANUS at 574-538-1350 JANUSMOTORCYCLES.COM
And, this podcast is for entertainment only...
********************************************************************************************
CHECK THE MASTHEAD ABOVE TO NAVIGATE TO THE OTHER PAGES ON THIS SITE ... THUMP EVERY CHANCE YOU GET,
SMILE EACH AND EVERY MILE,
STAY WELL AND VISIT US AGAIN NEXT WEEK.
TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS ABOUT OUR CLUB,
INVITE THEM TO VISIT OUR THUMPERGARAGE WEBSITE,
IT'S FREE, NO SUBSCRIPTION NEEDED, NO PASSWORD REQUIRED.
CIAO
WELCOME TO THE THUMPERGARAGE, the media home of the FOUR-STROKE SINGLES NATIONAL OWNERS CLUB (FSSNOC) ... thumpin' together since 1986
HEADS-UP! This website update is for the next THREE weeks (!), our national event is to be going on in Oregon, USA and I plan to be there to see you all! August 18th, near Nyssa, Oregon (more info elsewhere on this multiple page website, check out all the pages before you thump home, okay? )
SO ... no website updates will be offered until I get back to ThumperVille in early September... - #000
(photo above ... google photo credit) Home of the Rock Store Grill ... let's cover up this place with Four-Stroke Singles, eh? Hope to see lots of FSSNOC folks there on the morning of August 18th... #000
This website's email is: FSSNOCthumpers@yahoo.com
Our phone is: 620-663-1869 for text or call
Note: Emails are answered ONLY here on the website ... so check back in for the next upcoming update to see and read our response to your email.
***********************************************************************************************
Hello JR,
Seems like all the members I've talked to have received their Thumper News #148 except me. Let's give it a couple more days to see if it shows up. If it does, I'll let you know. Thanks, Vic Force, #3701, NC
(Relax Jack, came in today's mail. Vic Force, #3701, NC)
********************************************************************************************
Hello Sir: When I first heard about the plan to hold a ThumperCafe up in Oregon, I was pretty excited. This would be the chance to meet you and some of the other folks in the club. But, alas, a deer has derailed my plan.
On June 26th, while out on an early morning ride to attend a classic car show, a deer bounced out in front of me with only a split second to react. We collided (I have no recall), but moments later found myself trying to get up….no go.
Long story short, I ended up in ICU with a broken fibula and tibia on my right leg, broken ankle on my left, 8 broken ribs, punched right lung, and a broken scapula on the right shoulder. Don’t know how the deer fared.
37 days later, I’m on the mend and feeling very blessed. My walker helps get me around and am getting stronger each day. However, no trip to Oregon.
To be sure, my riding days are not over! The Honda 250 I was riding is back in the garage for some day in the future….maybe.
ATGATT: at 73 years old, this rule saved my life.
I wish you all a safe and enjoyable journey to Oregon, and watch out for the deer!
Dale Valliant, FSSNOC #5369 - WA.
REPLY: Wow! Dale! Glad you are on the mend!! That was one NASTY hit you took... we'll miss you! Best to you, #000
**********************************************************************
Subject: ROYAL ENFIED Classic 350
Dear Mr 000,
Just a quick note to say how much I like the 16 tooth on my 350. Have 135 miles on this gearing and find it to be very usable. Got 87.6 mpg today and was rolling around at mostly 55 to 60. The bike seems very happy at 55 or so. Might keep this one!!!
Heber...
*************************************************
NOW ... (photo last week) ... you see why we are going to NYSSA, OREGON instead of the earlier planned Lakeview, Oregon. I say this because of late, we've had more than one reference to seeing US in Lakeview ... not the case!
We've talked about it here on this website numerous times and also in TN#147 and TN#148 ... but just in case, here it is again:
Look for the Rock Store Grill within the confines of the Owyhee Grocery at 2499 Highway 201 part-way between Nyssa, Oregon and Adrian, Oregon.
We don't want to see anyone miss enjoying a sandwich/burger like the one featured above ... the Rock Store Grill motto is "Live Life Differently"
And, let me remind you to tell us if you plan to be there, and we need that info very soon. Call or text 1-620-663-1869 or you may email: FSSNOCthumpers@yahoo.com
And, if you don't get that done, come anyway ... travel safely!
All attendees are responsible for their own expenses so bring money from home ... read more about ThumperCafes in general on page 20 of TN#148.
ThumperCafes are for FSSNOC members.
They are static events where we Meet, Greet, and Eat.
Please, no alcohol before or during our gatherings.
Come hungry and happy with a smile on your face and a FSSNOC club t-shirt on your back.
Upon arrival ... introduce yourself, sign-in, put on a name tag so we can get acquainted and/or re-acquainted.
Arrive via any conveyance you wish...
If it isn't raining, come early if you'd like to chat a bit before our group meal at 10:58AM.
If you'd like to call our host, the number I have is 1-541-372-2121 ... and don't tell the tourists about this little gem, okay?
See YOU soon? Thump-Thump! - #000
########################################################
Howdy JR
I had a great time in Iowa. The ride was fantastic with Ron and Brad. We enjoyed some dirt along the way and also on the way back. I will get you a few more pictures ASAP.
I would love to come to Oregon, but Ron and I will be starting the Trans American Trail on the 19th. We are heading out from Hutchinson heading south to Manchester, Oklahoma, catching theTAT trail there and riding it to Colorado, then catching the Continental Divide ride route, heading north to Wyoming. I will share a few pictures and a ride report when we get home.
REPLY: Yo ATP ... Having previously ridden the TAT trail through that area, I suggest that you pick up the TAT at Gate, Oklahoma instead of Manchester (great place to eat at Laura's Cafe, cool tiny little town, we've been there several times with FSSNOC folks, including just last year - #000)
I will be in Kansas when we get back and promise to make a lunch ride.
REPLY: SURE you will, I've heard THAT before! - #000 (grin)
Safe Travels My Friend - (AND YOU AS WELL!! - #000)
Gary (Ace Thumper Pilot)
##########################################################################
Your question on page 36 of TN #148:
Carbureted bike running too rich at high altitude. Had a similar problem with my old Toyota pick in the green mountains of Vermont. That is why I prefer to buy fuel injected machines.
REPLY: My own Suzuki DR650 did this when it was six months old as I neared Broadus, Montana, elevation of 3028 feet above sea level, in early November of 2007. I had decided to venture out one more time that season to secure a goal of riding in 36 states on that bike within the first six months of ownership. Long story short, I got wet, I froze, I rode in hard, hard rain and lastly, the wind was so fierce that I had to put one foot on my side-stand to pin it to the ground so the wind didn't blow my bike over while I was attempting to put on a plastic rain suit, all the while, in the rain! What fun! Anyhow, my take on it was that I had the throttle pinned in too high of a gear, I "fixed" the issue by dropping a gear and using less throttle opening. My unprofessional diagnois was that my wide-open throttle was perhaps gas-fouling the spark plugs ... but, not sure how accurate that is... I sold the bike to its presents owner at about 44,000 miles ... think he is nearing 90,000 miles on it now. - #000
Enjoyed your Himalayan story, but I would like to know if you have modified it in any way. Air cleaner? Muffler? Cat delete head pipe?
REPLY: Nope, stone stock. I sense that a pipe and/or a less restrictive air cleaner would do wonders. It just seems to always be in a laboring mode. In the interest of reporting on the bike, I chose to leave it as it is marketed with the exception of the one-tooth added on counter-sprocket. See more on this below... - #000.
I’m trying to get some info for my upcoming Scram 411. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!
***Anyone who has any info on the above, feel free to chime in with what you have done. We don't give advice here at FSSNOC but it is always fun to read what others have done to their own machines... Thanks, Ben - good stuff! - #000.
Ben #5462
##########################################################################
Jack, thanks for issue 148, always a good read.
A hundred years ago, well 70, my first real bike was a 1937 Matchless 250. Overhead valves, open to cooling air, ex WD Teledraulic forks and the crowning glory, an alloy gas tank, polished naturally.
This bike was ridden mercilessly changing up through the gears when valve float occured. Today, I have added a 2021 Himalayan to the stable, tried a H---a CRF250 and hated it, no torque. Himmy has same power but twice the torque, so I guess I have gone full circle.
Naturally I find your comments interesting, I think a 16 t sprocket with a loaded bike is like going up hill all the time. With a TEC cam, you can get away with a 16 countershaft sprocket, but its not kind with a stock motor, so be kind and give up a tooth!
REPLY: Hi ya, Brian ... SO good to hear from you! Hey, can you shoot me a text at 1-620-663-1869. A year or two ago my phone told me to "click here" to make more storage space available. I did just that, one click ... BOOM! ... ALL my contacts were deleted! ... including yours ... so shoot me that text so I can holler at you if needed. Thank You, Good Sir!
Now, as to that gearing, you are absolutely correct, it make NO sense to gear-up an already under-powered bike, so why do it?
Out here in the Kansas Springtime wind with high humidity adding to the issue, makes for "thick" wind with lots of drag ... I was having to shift down to fourth gear to maintain 55mph into the wind, I geared it up so that fourth gear would allow me to run at a lower rpm than with stock gearing, kind split the difference.
You remember the old 3-speed Flathead Fords with overdrive? Sometimes my '51 would run faster in second/overdrive than in third or third overdrive ... similar deal, and when I get a tail wind with that 16 tooth, I can run with the taller dogs, but only until we turn a corner!
Our wind changes speed and texture in early Summer, used to be about the first of June, now days it is more like August (!) ... when that season is over, everyone takes a deep breath, and life is better for the next six months or so, then it happens all over again ... it's probably why we don't have tourists?
- Wishing you well, my friend! I still remember the day you had me roll that priceless 350 "Boy Racer" down that treacherous hillside so we could gather around it for your comments!! Hope you can come to Georgia, it's in your neighborhood, right? I know, you can bring another bike from George's museum and talk to us again, that'd be major cool, do consider it? - #000.
Ride often, ride safe, next ThumperCafe in the Himalayas, land of the snow?
Cheers
Brian
##########################################################################
Promoting the Club...
Hi Jack:
One hot day last week I had my "35 and counting" shirt on when I went to get a cold brew, coffee at Starbuck's, that is. The barista asked me what the "35 and counting" meant. I told her it was my age. I knew immediately that she didn't buy that by her gafaus and the dropping of my cold brew coffee.
So while we were cleaning up the mess, I explained that this is the thirty-fifth year of the Four Stroke Singles National Owners club. She accepted that as the truth.
Two lessons I learned from the exchange.
First, it's best not to lie.
Second, the shirt does work to elicit conversation about the club.
I'm at 3766 miles for the year with a 750 mile trip to Wisconsin for a BMW rally this weekend.
Stay cool. Lloyd, FSSNOC #5224
REPLY: Good job, Lloyd! Did you sign her up? I have three of those "35" shirts and usually wear all three during the week at some point ... besides I like the way they feel. - #000.
#########################################################################
BE SURE TO VISIT ALL THE PAGES ON THIS SITE, IT MIGHT GET BETTER ... OR NOT? THANK YOU FOR SLIDIN' BY, PLEASE CHECK IN WEEKLY TO SEE WHATZ HAPPENIN' HERE AT THE USA CENTER OF THUMPERDOM...
KEEP ON _______________________________! (CAN YOU FILL IN THE BLANK?)
#########################################################################
FSSNOC ... IS on a national YouTube Podcast - don't miss it. Advise your friends to view it as well...
Wanna listen/view a podcast ... DO CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZb4CgjfmEk
The podcast above was generated by Janus Motorcycles in Goshen, Indiana. EP.#1 ... In this podcast, FSSNOC #000 (Jack) is the guest, hereby being interviewed by Richard and Grant from JANUS MOTORCYCLES.
Play/View time is a tick over an hour so some popcorn might be nice, I like the chocolate drizzle kind, btw. Formal wear (FSSNOC club t-shirts, cap, etc...) adds to the mood, but not mandatory. Contact your friends, invite them in, share as you like. No cheat sheets, no prompt boards, no prior discussion was used to make this podcast.
If you like it, tell JANUS at 574-538-1350 JANUSMOTORCYCLES.COM
And, this podcast is for entertainment only...
********************************************************************************************
CHECK THE MASTHEAD ABOVE TO NAVIGATE TO THE OTHER PAGES ON THIS SITE ... THUMP EVERY CHANCE YOU GET,
SMILE EACH AND EVERY MILE,
STAY WELL AND VISIT US AGAIN NEXT WEEK.
TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS ABOUT OUR CLUB,
INVITE THEM TO VISIT OUR THUMPERGARAGE WEBSITE,
IT'S FREE, NO SUBSCRIPTION NEEDED, NO PASSWORD REQUIRED.
CIAO