I notice several people have problems with motors dying and/or not putting out full power. Besides the choke issue, there are 2 others I've noticed. On a used Troy Bilt mini tiller I bought (2 stroke Tecumseh), I could start it, but it wouldn't rev adequately or keep running (I got it really cheap). Pulled the tiny hose off the tank, and not a drop of gas came out. Ran a wire up the barb, and still nothing. Cracked the fill cap a bit, and gas shot out. A plugged air vent on the cap--that's one reason they won't keep going. But that didn't solve it. Still wouldn't rev. Then I remembered that in the manuals for every engine I've used ever used (big old Tecumsehs and Briggs 4 strokes, little 2 strokes, etc.) they always say to screw the main jet down to seat it (gently), then back out 1 and one-half turns. You're then supposed to turn it back in (with the engine running) until it runs rough, then back out til it's rough, then go to half way between--that's the sweet spot. But try to do that with a tiny engine buzzing and hopping around. So I just left it at 1 1/2 turns out, and it runs like a champ. I know this won't solve everybody's problem, but it's cheap and quick and easy to do. I do agree with the people who prefer 4 strokes, and they've somehow figured how to make them work even with trimmers, which obviously aren't level much of the time. I wonder how they do that?

If you take care of it, it will last a few years. The Cadet 1170 actually has a whole lot in common with its fellow MTD products, Yard Man, Bolens, and Troy Bilt. As a matter of fact, it's nearly identical to the Troy Bilt Super Bronco LT. Sadly, the only thing it has in common with a Cub Cadet is the paint. I was duped into buying an 1170 a couple years ago by my very old widowed great aunt, under the guise that I was buying a Cub Cadet. This tractor is not a Cub Cadet, it's an MTD Cadet, sold by Cub Cadet dealerships as an entry level lawn mower, but not to the standards of a Cub Cadet. That omission of the "Cub" on the hood was not accidental. After picking up the tractor I was initially overjoyed to be the proud owner of a premium lawn tractor, but the more I used it, the more I realized it was no modern marvel. The transmission is automatic, but not hydrostatic. It uses a set of cones which vary the size of a pully to make the wheels spin faster. It's low maintenance, but also very low durability. Do not pull any ground engaging implements, not even an aerator with this tractor or you will ruin it! You can't quickly reverse directions like with a hydrostatic, so make sure you come to a complete stop before shifting into reverse, then take your time. The transaxle will not stand up to quick fore-aft movements. You're right, it does have a cast iron axle, but don't fool yourself into thinking there is anything "tough" about this mower. After a season of mowing and doing other yard chores, I realized the needs I had in refurbishing a lawn (pulling a plug aerator, cartloads of sand...) would destroy this machine, so I sold it and bought a garden tractor. On the plus side, you did get a very good deal. I bought mine from my aunt in like-new condition for the "family price" of $1,000 with 50-60 hours. At the end of the season I sold it "better than new" for the same price with another 20-30 hours (I added tail lights). Of course I didn't point out to the buyer that it wasn't a Cub Cadet, nor did I ever refer to the "Cadet" as a "Cub Cadet." But I have a hunch he believed he was buying a Cub Cadet, just like I did, just like you did. The Troy-bilt version sells for $1299, so you basically got it for half price, a quarter of the way through its service life. I believe the retail price of the tractor a few years ago was $1799, which was a bit of a rip-off for what you got. It can't even be compared to the Cub Cadet 1045 selling for the same price 5-7 years later, with a hydrostatic transmission, 46" deck with 4 anti-scalp wheels, 20hp Kohler... As long as you meticulously maintain this machine, don't wash it after use (use a leaf blower), and do nothing but cut grass, you should get a couple hundred hours out of it. I don't fault my aunt for selling me the tractor (unseen) under false pretenses. She actually thought it was a Cub Cadet. And so will your neighbors!

A little bit of beige may not be bad. Yellow reflects on itself and gets more intense. Whatever you think your final choice is, be sure to paint ALL of your old cabinets with it before you order. I love the fact that it's so hard to pick colors but the world conspires to make it even harder. The Aura fan deck is impossible to use if you want to see two colors next to each other, and you can't hang it vertically on a wall (all colors are darker that way). The paint store will always present you with an "issue" or "problem" that prevents you from getting the samples you need, and they make it too expensive anyway. Chips will either fall of the wall because you used painters tape, or rip off the paint because you didn't. It is making me insane and I would happily hire someone to do this just to avoid the insanity. My neighbors' kids and their friends have been setting off little snapper firecrackers all day. I keep hoping.

Tomuch2chus and Flwrs_n_co, thanks for the info about real bikers. That's great! I wonder if it's specific to the culture or if it's from being present in the moment and aware of what's going on around them? (Probably both.) Nice to know this is real and that the writers weren't just wishing. I've gotten pretty good at issuing orders that sound like suggestions, but that whole noticing and acting upon it thing is just so sexy! (Some of you may disagree, and others of you have gems who do exactly this, but when men ask me for advice about how to get on the good side of their women, I tell them they should do some of her chores (e.g., clean the bathroom) to her standards.)