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RV’ing is one of the fastest growing pastimes in the United States. In 2008, many RV camping sites reported between a 25 and 30% increase in visitors over the previous year. This is due in part to a slowing economy and the rise in airfare and hotel accommodations.

Used recreational vehicle sales are hitting an all time high, as more and more people want to make an investment that will last for years to come.

If you’re in the market for just such an investment, you might be surprised where you can find a fantastic deal. Continue reading ‘Get a Used Recreational Vehicle Close by and Way Under Market Value’ »

In 1949, three motorcycles were shown riding 500 miles at an average speed of 92mph. This was the world’s introduction to the Triumph Thunderbird. From 1949 until 1966, Triumph produced the 649c.c. motorcycle which conquered the American market for the company. It was a useful long-distance touring motorcycle and that is how it was often outfitted. After the 1966 model, the next Thunderbird was the TR65 version – a small-bore version of the T-140 Bonneville. It lasted for three years. Finally, in 1990 John Bloor resurrected the marque and had its manufacturing plant relocated to Hinckley.

From that factory, the Thunderbird 900 was born in 1994. Just three years later, Triumph set loose on the world the Thunderbird Sport 900. The same 885c.c. engine powered both machines. However, the Sport engine was massaged to produce more power – 82hp and 56ft/lb versus 69hp and 52ft/lb in standard trim. To help with bringing all that power to a safe stop and better control, a second disc brake was added to the front wheel. Speaking of wheels, the Sport carried 17 inch hoops instead of the 18/16 front/rear on the standard model; plus, the wheels were significantly wider to provide mounting for more sport riding oriented tires. To hold the bike on the road, the suspension was upgraded as well – and it was fully adjustable, front and rear. Continue reading ‘Triumph Thunderbird Sport’ »

JL Audio produces some of the best car subwoofers on the market. The company, founded in 1975 by James Birch and Lucio Proni, began dominating the car audio industry starting in the late 1980′s, during one of the booming times for the field. Many recommend it as the place to go for high quality subwoofers because these have led the competition for years and will continue to do so. Here’s a brief overview of a few lines that it has released that demonstrate just how pioneering the company is.

The first popular products by them were the PowerWedges, which were the first enclosed speaker systems available at the time. PowerWedges are famous for being compact yet providing some of the newest technologies for the time. The 8W2 woofer was released to be used with the PowerWedges. Being successful as an 8-inch woofer, the 8W2 was also released in 10-inch and 12-inch versions, both just as successful. Continue reading ‘JL Audio Car Subwoofers – A Trusted Audio Brand’ »

All Terrain Vehicles (ATV’s) got there beginning in the mountainous regions of far northern Japan. Farmers were having hard times on the muddy mountain roads especially after the winter thaws and the beginning of spring. Some spots were just impossible to traverse with normal vehicles which kept parts of farm lands off limits. With the Japanese problem – solution mentality and a culture of mechanical solutions the first three wheeled ATV was brought into existence. These small workhorses were much cheaper than farming vehicles and turned out to be the perfect solution to the farmers problems.

But with the ingenuity of the Japanese it didn’t stop there, the manufacturers realized what a great product they had and decided to start marketing them to the entire world. In the early 1970′s the US had nothing even similar to an ATV, and when the first one was released from Honda it was a instant hit. Honda already had a reputation in the U.S. for providing quality motorcycles in fact Honda changed the way American’s looked at people who road motorcycles. Continue reading ‘ATV's Past and Present’ »

If you currently live in a major city and must travel into a more rural area, you may encounter non-digital gas pumps used since the 1970′s. If you are a younger driver, you may not be familiar with these older fuel pump’s, so here is a quick how to for you. It won’t really apply if you happen to come across one of the few full service gas stations left. Finding a gas station that is full service is getting much more difficult anymore. Of course, there is an advantage to self-service and that is that the gasoline is usually cheaper per gallon than the full service pumps. Often you will find completely digital pumps, but in rare situations you may came across older mechanical pumps. Often people aren’t really sure how to use them anymore, so we will cover it here.

It goes without saying to make sure you put out your cigarette or cigar before taking the pump off the hook. We do have to mention it however, because to this day it amazes me how few people understand that gasoline vapors can be extremely explosive. Continue reading ‘New Driver's How To – Using Older Style Non Digital Gas Pumps’ »