BOMAT_1

Hi guys... Sorry it's been so long,but I HAVE been in both the hospital (for surgery) and then a Care & Rehab Center from January 1 until May 26. I developed a Venus Stasis ulcer in my left calf which became infectious that was removed on January 1. Doctors told me they removed nearly a liter of fluid & other crud during the operation. I didn't realize HOW sick I was before finally heeding my wife's urgings to go to the hospital...but now,given what I've learned and seen,I'm convinced that IF I hadn't finally listened to her-when I did-I would probably have died! Of course this has turned up 'a few' other problems,all being looked after now...so I'm now just a 'sick 70 year old man!' Thank God for Medicare & Medicade, the week in Harborview Hospital was almost $59K,and the Care Center was over $1K a month! Lots of therapy involved...almost had to 'learn to walk' again,but am on the way back now. Thanks to all in the hobby that may have wondered 'where I was!' I appreciate your caring. I will eventually be able to contact the guys that I regularly was in communication with...but not sure how long it'll take. My energy levels seem to fade faster these days and still am bothered by Lymphedema in both legs,which may or may not prove to be surmountable! Time will tell! Anybody who wants to Email me (mathergolf@comcast.net)-rather than waiting for me to contact them-please feel free to do so. That'll get you a faster response! By the way,did Thorn Smith's 26" Nomura win BOTY Cruiser? Thanks Guys... Bob

IMO, if you are local to True Radius Bending, you should confirm that they did the repair and when and then decide from there. I hate to rain on anybody's parade...but nowhere in any of my Nomura records is there 'any indication' that this frame-NRC DG 010-was ever actually a factory race frame! The Production Logs indicate that the original owner was a man named Bill Carson...and that the bike was a 'street rider' and NOT a Factory frame! As for Mr. Carson himself,none of Wade's race team listings mention him ever being an actual FACTORY RIDER! As far as the repair is concerned,I don't believe that Dave Gilkeson would have made this repair personally-without actually hearing him say that he did! TRB and Gilkison are within a few miles of each other,and I believe they still have a relationship that would have precluded such a shabby repair having been made by EITHER shop! Wade's Log says there were only 7 black 26" frames built originally...and that only 3 were factory race frames...NRC DG 028 and NRC DG 018 have been located and fully-restored! The 3rd Black frame has NOT been located...and,again,I can find no substantiation ANYWHERE that NRC DG 010 is the last frame! Make your own decision! HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all!

Thornton... I know I've said this before,but everytime I see your bike I think the exact same thing-all over again! This is EASILY the BEST LOOKING 26" Nomura I've ever seen! If it doesn't win BOTY,then there's no justice in the world! When I finally get the plate to you,it'll be 'icing on the cake'...and your bike will be perfect! GREAT JOB! Ciao, Bob

Mark... Yes,there was a 'local' association in operation when we started racing in 1979-I guess as well as the NBA! NBA or ABA members were allowed to run their official #'s & plates,while 'non-members' of either association ran with 'D' on their plates. The local association was primarily run by George O'Connor,Tommie Thompson, Jim Baugh and Doug Brown-Derek's father-and there were local tracks around the Denver area...the only 2 I remember now are Expo Park in Aurora and Adams Co. Fair Grounds in Commerce. The first ABA race in Denver was the 1980 Mile High Nationals.I was too old to race ABA races (I was 37 then and the maximum age was 29)so I put a local kid-John Alber,16 EXP-on my Littlejohn Team Replica 'Lowboy' and won the only Cruiser class they ran,beating 2 PROs-Mark Pippin (SE Racing)& Bobby Encinas (Shimano)to do it! The trophy he won was taller than he was! As far as I know,my bike was the first Littlejohn Cruiser to win a National Race title. Good times...great memories! I started out with #383,went to #88 and finally ended up with #2 in Adult Cruiser! When we got Washington,Cruisers weren't too popular here yet,so I retired and bought my Nomura! Never raced it,but it's still 'race ready!' WASH-1 was an ABA district...but the ABA hasn't used these designations for years!

I've just looked at some old pictures...in 1979 we used 'D' on our plates. For the 1980 season,we DID change to the letter 'P'...I told you my eyes were old...evidently so is my mind?

When my son & I raced in Denver in 1979 & 1980,our plates had the letter 'D' on them! We moved to Washington in 1981 where the plates had WASH-1 on them.

I'd assume that a magnet would stick to a magnesium body,but NOT to an aluminum one? They look like magnesium to me...but my eyes are nearly 70! Bob

Hopefully on your racing pants... Yes,Mr.Reilley...across the butt of my Vera's Leathers! Bob

When I raced Cruisers in Denver (1979 & 1980)the wives of all my fellow racers-about 30 of us-gave a lot of the guys nicknames. Mine was 'The Silver Fox'...which I had emblazoned across my butt!

As part of my 'on-going'Nomura research,I'd like to contact Kevin Nowak, Nomura's Michigan star rider from the early 80's! He rode out of a shop called Freewheeler Bike Shop in Grand Rapids,and he raced a 20" alloy frame,as well as both 26" & 26/24 Cruisers! I'm looking into the possibility that he MAY also have had one of the 4 'ultra rare' 24" Nomura frames! I've Emailed Gordy-Freewheeler's owner-but so far,he hasn't answered me! I think I remember someone here knowing him BITD...but I've lost his contact information as well! Hope somebody can help me out!? Email me if you can help...mathergolf@comcast.net Thanks, Bob

So,Mr. Guru... How'd you do? Did your new stuff fit?

So...Charley Do you know Ernie Ballard or not? Wrote you several months ago, but you never answered my letter? Would like to get in touch with 'Bugs' for some Nomura information! If you can help,I'd be grateful! Bob

One other thing...he pronounced Scot's name 'very strangely'...it definately 'didn't sound' like he was saying BREITHAUPT to me!? Anybody else 'pick up' on that...OR understand 'what he was saying'''...reminded me of Donald...

He said they're 1st Gen.LANDING GEARS...I don't think this is accurate! As far as I know the 1st Gen. were 'Cowboy Cuts' like Scot's first Cruiser forks were! 'Bologna Cuts'-on ANY size fork- would have been considered 2nd Gen.-as the 'Gen.#' increases each time a change is made. Drop out blades are also 'not in the right position'...and you can't see the 'cut outs' at the top of the axle slot for the fork washers!

The axle slots are 'cut' to hold the washers...dead give away! Of course it's 'always possible' the seller is 'stupid enough' to THINK they're real...but NOT very likely! Just another scammer tryin' to screw somebody that he THINKS won't know the difference between 'real' & 'knock offs!'