Greetings Chaps...and Ladies

[Erasmus Thump]

Erasmus Thump here. I was directed to your fine community by one of our staff recently. He had been on a ride across the vast expanses of Canada and mentioned his respect for the fine community of riders in that country. I do not believe any Phantom motorbike ever set wheels on your public roads, but it is just possible that one may have participated in a racing event in the early 1920s...
Alas, we are not in Canada, but in the green and pleasant land of England. Leafy and green as it should be this time of year.
I am writing as means of introduction really. I am one of the founders of the Phantom Manufacturing Company. I have been a manufacturer of sporting machines for discerning gentlemen for many a year. But we took a break 80 years ago and have recently decided to come back and begin producing machines again. If any of you happen to be in England on June 19-20, may I please invite you to visit the "Unapproachable" Revival at Donnington Park race course. We are not directly affiliated with the organisers, but they have kindly invited us to display our latest invention, the Phantom EG, at that event. So we will be there as part of the static display as well as participating in parades of historic machines in and around the track itself. Who knows, Enoch may even take the beast for a spin on the track if permitted.


Tally ho!
Thump

[RockBottom]

You founded Phantom but took a break 80 years ago? You must be at least 110 years old!

[Erasmus Thump]

Oh dear no sir, I passed that birthday some years go! My secretary, Mrs. Mabel Ramsbottom celebrated her 119th year just recently. Alas, Enoch, Titus and I passed beyond the veil years ago. But, thanks to our spiritualist secretary, the above mentioned Mrs. Ramsbottom, we are able to communicate with you today. Originally we could only communicate through Mrs. Ramsbottom, but she has instructed us in this thing you call 'the web' and we find it relatively easy to use. You would be amazed at how many people participating in internet communities are on our side of the river so to speak... Details about us can be found on our website where all is explained. But well spotted sir!

Thump

[dean owens]

wait i'll just and see how this goes.

[Erasmus Thump]

Why thank you for your kind greeting Mr. Owens. It is good to see there are no 'deadists' amongst you chaps. I must admit that there are a fair few communities out there that do discriminate against the dead. It is reassuring to find that our mutual affection for the sporting autocycle would allow us to see beyond our mortality.

regards,
thump

[fireguzzi]

Wow, I just wanted to say hello. The Idea of communication with those "across the river" has always been intriguing and I couldn't pass up the chance to take part in the event, which is only made more interesting by the fact that you are the founders of a motorcycle company!

So hello Mr. Thump. Send my regards to Titus and Enoch. I look forward to your participation in this forum and the physical earth in general.

Trevor

[Erasmus Thump]

Very kind of you sir! And yes, we do produce sporting machines. I have passed your encouraging words to both Titus and Enoch. Titus wanted to know where Georgia is. I told him it is a region of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire, or possibly Russia. I hope I was accurate.
Beyond the veil or not, we still produce machines of distinction. The new model, the Phantom EG, still uses our patented "sneezer" fueling device. Though not as visceral as our earlier FH, or "Fanny Hammer" model, it is more powerful and offers better handling characteristics. And our updated "Bladraulic" front suspension system is still the envy of the industry. Have a look for yourself on our website.
And you might pass a message to Mrs. Ramsbottom as she was bit miffed not to be mentioned in your greeting. she has always enjoyed the attention of younger men.

regards,
Thump

[jstark47]

Titus wanted to know where Georgia is. I told him it is a region of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire, or possibly Russia. I hope I was accurate.

Not quite. Georgia is simply a primitive and undeveloped area found on the North American continent. The indigenous locals passionately assert "Georgia" is the location of the Lost City of Atlantis, which word they however have inexplicably corrupted to now be spelled "Atlanta"..........

[Erasmus Thump]

Well stone the crows Mr. Stark, I had no idea! You must feel truly blessed to live in such a Shangri-La. I wish we could say the same for our little burgh. Mind you, Titus has always spoken highly of his home village of Gobbler's Crotch...

Mr. Cruise, I am a little bewildered by your question. I have been looking through this community for some time and noticed that many people here talk with pride about the cycles they own or build. And there are many references to other websites contributed by many of the members here. Some of these people seem to be selling things and others not. I simply want to share our pride in the fine sporting machine we have created after a long sojourn. I suppose I could simply paste in vast quantities of text and images of the machine right here but I thought that would be much more interruptive and not in the pattern of previous behaviours by existing members. Was I incorrect in this assumption? If there is a better way in which I might share news of our accomplishment amongst a community of fellow enthusiasts I am all ears. Or are you politely trying to tell me that the content of my website is not relevant or of interest to this community?
As for spam, isn't that like the bully beef the doughboys brought over here during the great war? I am not sure of the relevance of war rations to your point...please be patient as I have been...away...for some time.

Thump

[Johnj]

This looks like it might be fun, but alas the mirth will fade away leaving the empty feeling yet again.