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Message started by Dave on 10/07/14 at 06:20:42

Title: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by Dave on 10/07/14 at 06:20:42

A few days ago someone posted about a 250 Thumper chopper. Now I am beginning to wonder.....at what point does a single cylinder bike qualify as a 'Thumper"?

Personally I have applied the Thumper term to a 500cc and above singles - but not for anything smaller....and never for a 2 stroke bike. Maico used to make a 501cc single cylinder 2 stroke....and it made a "Braaaap" sound....never "Thump....Thump....Thump".

Does a 100cc bike that makes "Putt....putt....putt.....putt" sounds quailfy as a Thumper????? I think not!

What are the rules of conduct? How should be behave?

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJYyJccePh8[/media]

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by thumperclone on 10/07/14 at 07:31:23

any single cylinder 4 stroke motorcycle

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/07/14 at 07:47:17

Nah,I'm with Dave, at some point the term no longer applies. If I was gonna get serious about it,stroke length and RPM would probably be part of the equation, but if an engine isn't big enough,single or no,Snot a thumper.
AND,TC,no matter how many times you say it is won't Chaaaangemymind,,,,

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by bobert_FSO on 10/07/14 at 07:47:35

I would say certainly down to about 175-250cc. Really about any displacement where one starts to have the option of choosing a multi-cylinder engine. Maybe the threshold is relative. Back in the '70's or '80's, I think Honda had a 175cc twin and a 175cc single. At that point, I think the single qualified as a thumper.

500cc is a little high for qualification. My BSA 440 was certainly a thumper compared to other bikes of the era.

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/07/14 at 07:49:17

Should torque be a factor?

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by bobert_FSO on 10/07/14 at 07:50:20

Dave, if you watch the crankshaft in your video, that engine is some kind of two-stroke. It looks and sounds to be firing on every crank revolution. It's also possible it is a two-cylinder.

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by Dave on 10/07/14 at 08:21:46

424F42455254200 wrote:

Dave, if you watch the crankshaft in your video, that engine is some kind of two-stroke. It looks and sounds to be firing on every crank revolution. It's also possible it is a two-cylinder.

Yea, that is certainly possible. Some of the big engines were two stokes. The Reid engines were 2 strokes and used a charging cylinder to pull natural gas from the oil wells, and use that for the fuel to run the engines.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdivLRZJAvA[/media]

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by Dave on 10/07/14 at 08:29:27

4D5254534E4978487840525E15270 wrote:

Should torque be a factor?

To me....the exhaust note is the issue. Thumpers got the name from the sound they make . When big singles are idling they go Thump....Thump....Thump....and even when accelerating they just bunch the "Thumps" up closer together.

When the engine is so small it no longer "Thumps".....then it ceases to be a Thumper. Things that go "Putt"....."Pop"......"Tutt" might not qualify...and when the Thump turns into a steady Buzzzzzzz at speed???????.

And Yes....a 440 Victor certainly would qualify as a Thumper.

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by stewmills on 10/07/14 at 08:37:43

Maybe we should come up with an equation using several factors:

T= torque
V= volume (cc)
Db= Decibels
F= Frequency (of the thump, thump, thump)

((T)x(V)+Db)) / F is >/= X (must be greater than or equal to X)

Now what X is, I have no clue because I don't know what the stock values would be for the above variables but I'm sure one of you wise guys will solve the equation here shortly ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by Serowbot on 10/07/14 at 09:18:46

Too complicated...
I call any 4-stroke single, a thumper,... any over 400cc,... a big thumper...
JMHO...

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by stewmills on 10/07/14 at 09:30:12

I'm just teasin'. Still waiting on someone to try and figure it out though :P

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by Dave on 10/07/14 at 09:59:30

I posted this just for a bit of fun...on a rainy day.

I really didn't expect to come up with an empirical equation to define the Thumper.

The weird thing is that just about every single motorcycle idles at about the same speed - but the tone of their voice sure changes with the engine size.

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/07/14 at 10:09:59

5A5D4C5E444045455A290 wrote:

Man, I gave up huntin for "X" in Algebra.. Now, if you want me to go looking for "X", you gotta hand me a treasure map.

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by Greg on 10/07/14 at 10:32:24

There are currently 125cc twins available overseas. I like the idea of where an additional cylinder is added as being the cut off. In my mind, that would be 125cc and higher. A 4 stroke is a must as well.

212C21263137430 wrote:

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by Dave on 10/07/14 at 10:39:05

Good thing we aren't accepting 2 strokes....then the discussion would have to include the Twingle! A Single combustion chamber and spark plug, on a single crankshaft bearing.....that has two pistons and connecting rods.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Split-single

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by Serowbot on 10/07/14 at 11:03:33

WARNING..hijack in progress... :o...

If you really want to get definitive...
Whassa' difference 'tween a chopper, a bobber, and a brat?...

-Bobber... minimalist.. less parts, reduced size parts... (nothing is made bigger, no added weight)...
-Chopper... some bobbing done,.. but other parts extended, like forks, bars, and sissy... also more flash and chrome... (can't be a chopper without extended forks)...
- Brat... some bobbing,.. but added glitz,.. but no fork extension... (can't be a brat with extended forks)...

then,..
-Cafe'... bobber minimalism, with full emphasis on speed...(rider must be leaned forward with feet rear of engine)...
-Scrambler... a bobber with added suspension...
-Cruiser... nothing reduced... everything added for rider comfort and extended miles...
-Tourer... comfort, miles, and storage capacity... (car on 2 wheels)...
- Rat.. everything trashed, trash added... ;D...

??? :-/???...

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by Dave on 10/07/14 at 11:15:37

Nobody gonna get upset about dragging this thread down another path.....it's just for fun anyhow.

I am not sure I have seen a "Brat".....I thought is was "Rat". Like Rat Rod or Rat Bike. Nobody worries about paint, chrome or flash,...rust and patina are badges of honor.

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by verslagen1 on 10/07/14 at 11:17:49

A thumper is in the ear of the beholder.
How many savages chirp?
I got a neighbor with a ruckus that thumps.

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by Serowbot on 10/07/14 at 11:19:30

Brat...a bobber with added dorkiness.. ;D...
http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/wp-content/2009/05/dsc08231.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XRBXMSs0HiA/TVkr9xIhTrI/AAAAAAAAPvc/sjcMsJO41Jg/s640/brat.jpg

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by Tocsik on 10/07/14 at 11:23:55

Hey 'Bot, is a "tracker" a variation on a bobber?

Also, my 150cc scooter is a thumper. The idle's too high in this clip but you can hear the 'note'.

[media]http://youtu.be/xjYgZLnriA8?list=PLhI2JXOf8a81jJXlk3P9Yeqo2RUXwXsdS[/media]

http://youtu.be/xjYgZLnriA8

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by Dave on 10/07/14 at 11:43:38

No....a tracker is simillar to a Cafe bike - except that is the swoopy rear seat and wide bars like the Dirt Track bikes use. (No bullet shaped seat back or clip on handlebars).

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by bobert_FSO on 10/07/14 at 11:43:46

"I posted this just for a bit of fun...on a rainy day."

Hey, I'm having fun! Who knew that such a simple question would elicit so many opinions.

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by stewmills on 10/07/14 at 11:53:46

Does this qualify as a thumper?

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by Dave on 10/07/14 at 12:34:04

717667756F6B6E6E71020 wrote:

Does this qualify as a thumper?

If you mentioned "Thumper" to my wife.....that is where her mind would wander to.

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by verslagen1 on 10/07/14 at 12:43:10

I'll tell you what a thumper is...
http://https://sp.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HN.608012364058790961&pid=15.1&P=0
When goes off, you feel it for several blocks.

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by Blinky-FSO on 10/07/14 at 13:06:56

Anything with 2 wheels and a throttle that fits between your legs that plays "jingle balls" in 2/4 time.

Please feel free to delete this bit of foolishness.

Good Hunting

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by thumperclone on 10/07/14 at 13:14:21

thumperclone has an 86cc horz 4 stroke single &
she thumps

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by Dave on 10/07/14 at 13:36:56

5750465F5F330 wrote:

Anything with 2 wheels and a throttle that fits between your legs that plays "jingle balls" in 2/4 time.

Please feel free to delete this bit of foolishness.

Good Hunting

Nope - you are not going to get off that easy. This entire thread is nothing but foolishness....and it is on a public forum for all to see.

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by Dave on 10/07/14 at 13:39:27

One of our members has a saying at the bottom of his posts......"it is a rat, brat, cafe meets bobber"....or something similar. I always thought that was funny......Who is that?

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by gizzo on 10/07/14 at 14:20:37

My vote for thumper goes to 250 and above 4 stroke singles. Not for any reason other than that's what we called ours, when we were kids.

Bobber to me is a bike that still has rear suspension: When it's been hardtailed, it becomes a something else. Chopper doesn't sound right tho.....

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by Dave on 10/07/14 at 14:41:45

415B5F5D5C62534046405B565557320 wrote:

When it's been hardtailed, it becomes a something else.

How about.....Uncomfortable? ;D

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/07/14 at 15:15:31

If all that was available were bikes with no fenders or rear shocks,I wonder what the people who hard tail and pull fenders off would say.

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by gizzo on 10/07/14 at 15:19:50

1B202D3A2B273C3A2129243B480 wrote:

[quote author=415B5F5D5C62534046405B565557320 link=1412688042/15#29 date=1412716837] When it's been hardtailed, it becomes a something else.

How about.....Uncomfortable? ;D
[/quote]

Too right! :D

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by gizzo on 10/07/14 at 15:20:59

617E787F62655464546C7E72390B0 wrote:

If all that was available were bikes with no fenders or rear shocks,I wonder what the people who hard tail and pull fenders off would say.

Haha, back in the day, they used to engineer in suspension. Radical! ;)

Title: Re: Thumper......What qualifies?
Post by ZAR on 10/11/14 at 19:18:12

69737775744A7B686E68737E7D7F1A0 wrote:

My vote for thumper goes to 250 and above 4 stroke singles. Not for any reason other than that's what we called ours, when we were kids. Same here. The HD Sprints SS250 and SS350 were thumpers and acknowledged as such by the serious bikers, as were the BSA,Norton,Enfield and Triumph 250/350 bikes.

Bobber to me is a bike that still has rear suspension: When it's been hardtailed, it becomes a something else. Chopper doesn't sound right tho.....

The original bobbers were strictly bikes with uneeded bling stripped off and the monsterous fenders cut off(bobbed). True minimalist bikes! In the late 1960s you started to see the "choppers. With or without suspension, the frames were chopped and rewelded to change the look or rake of the bike.