CafeTBird

We have a 2003 Mazda MPV, 85,000 miles, which we took in for a checkup at a local mechnic. He quoted us a price of $1200 for a tuneup, and added that the coils are starting to fail.

Seems a little excessive to me for a tuneup, and my experience has been that when coils fail, they fail completely.

Does this seem a little out of line to you? How expensive have you found your Mazda MPV to be?

I am building a custom, and need the correct look. Many of the Kawasaki (Nissin) brake master cylinders are correct, and the deals are great on eBay. Problem is, no one lists the outlet size. Can you tell me the size on this master cylinder? It is sometimes stamped on the body next to the outlet. Thanks!

I am in the market for a Garmin GPS for the bike - looking at the Zumo 550. I hear it is the dog's bollocks. I'd like to find the best price - currently see them selling for $580 USD online.

Anyone know of a good place for a deal on a Garmin 450 or 550? Is there a site for refurbished Garmin units?

Starting to do a lot more long distance touring - would like a little mapping help for the backroads.

I like the Garmin Zumo 550, but wondering if there is a cheaper option with all the best features. What type do you have? Do you like it, and if so, why?

We have some property in the NC Mountains on a mountain ridegtop. I want to plant some of the grass like that growing on the balds in the GSMNP and around Roan Mountain and Mt. Rogers. Anyone have an idea what kind of grass this is, and where to get it? Is it called flattened oatgrass?

We are building a new home, and trying to decide which higher-cost upgrades would be best:

1. Irrigation/sprinkler system (home is in Southeastern US)

2. Fully fenced back yard - (approx 1/2 acre yard)

3. Extra bathroom in bonus room - (house is already a 4 bdrm 3 bath)

Nintendo DS, Wii, Playstation or X-Box? My 6 year old son wants a video gaming machine, and I don't have a clue which to get.

I want a poster-size photograph image of James Dean Triumph T-110 motorcycle. I've looked all over the internet with no luck. I have a postcard with the image I am looking for. Any ideas?

I want a poster-size photograph image of James Dean Triumph T-110 motorcycle. I've looked all over the internet with no luck. I have a postcard with the image I am looking for. Any ideas?

Going to take my kids fishing in a pond that is stocked with small mouths... what works best, in you opinion? What have you had the most success with?

Tommorrow is Ride to Work Day (July 18th) for motorcyclists. Who is going to do it?

http://www.ridetowork.org/

How come statistics show that only 0.12% of the 4% of the population with registered motorcycles actually commute to work?

Make a difference, people, and park that cage already! Put the boot on it. Bikes are cheaper on fuel, easier to park, easier to manuever through traffic, more fun... what other excuse do you need?

Tommorrow is Ride to Work Day (July 18th). Who is going to do it?

http://www.ridetowork.org/

Yeah, yeah... I know... go ahead and tell me you are all those hard core and ride to work EVERY day, right??? Then how come statistics show that only 0.12% of the 4% of the population with registered motorcycles actually commute to work?

Make a difference, people, and park that cage already! Put the boot on it.....

This from the California Highway Patrol:

"In 2001 there were 3,517 fatal collisions in California. Motorcyclists were involved in 298 (just over 4%) of those collisions. The motorcyclists were at fault in 215 (72%) of the fatal collisions. In 2001 there were 201,478 injury collisions in California. Motorcyclists were involved in 8,014 (just under 4%) of those collisions. The motorcyclists were at fault in 4,266 (53%) of the collisions."

Team Oregon recently reported similar statistics - there, 88% of the accidents cited were the fault of the motorcyclist, and 60% of those were single vehicle accidents.

SO, why on here do I continue to see so many people blasting cages for causing all the problems, justifying their need for loud pipes, etc.??

The Hurt Report is an old saw from the 70's. Quit using it to blame others for your own problems already. We are our own worst enemy. People - it looks to me like we need to learn to be better riders.

Getting ready to do my first Iron Butt Saddle Sore 1000 ride, looking for something to decrease the "monkey butt" from a 1000 mile ride!

Everyone I have spoken to says they can't be made any better. Has anyone had any luck with modifications? The rear hydraulic set up off the 2005/2006 models costs major $$, even on eBay...