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Post by Bex on Feb 4, 2005 13:31:24 GMT
Hi there,
just starting out! with regards to the licence thing, does anyone know, are these all EU regulations? (ie can we take the thing to France once we have the correct licence?)
Bex
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Post by Jonathan Smith on Feb 4, 2005 13:53:22 GMT
Greetings, welcome.
Licence categories are a nightmare. It depends when you passed you car test and what size your vehicle is.
A pre 1997 D1 licence is not valid in Europe?
DVLA say you can't use a D licence you need a C licence.
If you hold a C or C1 and your vehicle is the correct weight you can drive in Europe on that licence.
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Post by SimonMaher on Apr 16, 2005 12:53:38 GMT
Hello all,
Brief Introduction. Im Simon Maher, from Dublin Ireland. Along with a couple of friends with a similar interest, we bought a 1975 Van Hool McArdle bodied Atlantean from Dublin Bus. Its in open top format, having been most recently used as a tree-lopper. In pretty poor condition, but we're working on it...slowly!
Cheers,
Simon
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Post by jimmy193 on Apr 16, 2005 13:23:48 GMT
Hi Simon, Welcome to the site. Sounds like you and your friends have a bit of a job on your hands, hope you enjoy it. Keep us up to date on the progress. Look forward to seeing some pics during the re-build. Regards, Jim
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Post by lucifire on Apr 19, 2005 10:00:05 GMT
hi, we are dave tusk ( www.tusktattoo.com) and lucifire ( www.lucifire.com. dave runs a tattoo shop and i am a fire and freakshow performer. we have just bought an ex-rock-n-roll-tourbus, volvo b10m turbo deisel for conversion into an art-project/luxury-motorhome. we're aiming high so we expect a lot of frustrating times ahead. the bus, the hedomobile, is at www.hedomobile.comwe have a lot of contacts throughout europe and are planning a working holiday as we do up the bus... tattooing, performing etc. our plan is for dave and i to leave in a couple months time in the hedomobile to do a small european tour this year. this is an initial tour, with most of the time spent findng out how it all works, doing up the bus, establishing contacts and developing the luci n dave roadshow. at present the coach has 18 bunks, 2 lounges, a kitchen and a toilet. it's all a bit grubby but it works. it's big, black, awesome and ours next year will be a more full blown tour capitalising on this year's experience. after that we may sell the bus and move into a nice bugalow in essex OR if we can afford to keep the bus on we will. but, now that you've seen the state of the hedomobile at present, here's a link to an amazing coach company called beat the street www.beatthestreet.com. THIS is the level we are aiming towards (but with our own personality). we have to have dreams
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Post by Jonathan Smith on Apr 19, 2005 13:44:18 GMT
Welcome to the site, I saw the B10 on ebay a few months back. Nice semi decker, masses of space and storage. Look forward to seeing progress reports Please feel free to add any venue dates to the forum diary, are you planning on going to any of the summer festivals?
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Post by jimmy193 on Apr 19, 2005 18:05:40 GMT
Hi Lucifire, Welcome to the site from me too. I saw the b10m on ebay too and thought "wonder if I could sell George and get that ??"...but haven't had enough trips out with him yet so didn't bid. Just as well as Freda would have killed me Hope you have loads of fun doing the hedomobile up and we wish you all the best and hope you realize your dreams with it. Maybe see you up here in Edinburgh doing the festival rounds then ?? Regards, Jim
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Post by Tim on May 9, 2005 12:44:16 GMT
Hi, I am currently thinking about selling up and self converting a coach (which I appear to be able to pick up an MOTed 20 year old one from about 5k). After selling, and purchasing the right coach, I plan to utilise B&Q carpark and their electricity to do the conversion, before which we'll lap the UK before saying sweet farewell to our friends, and sweet F&*k *ff to Tony Blair, the taxman and the British establishment, and travel the world for several years - with our three school age children. Hoping to find the ideal plot abroad, we'll reregister and move. Outside Europe I doubt you get the same 'traveller resentment' you get in the UK. But then again 95% of UK citizens are brainwashed. Comments and tips invited? Happy travelling! Tim. PS whilst in the UK why not use my fast 0845 dialup at www.freeinternetaccess-uk.co.uk and help my surfing funds. Thanks if you do.
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Post by jimmy193 on May 10, 2005 17:33:07 GMT
Hi Tim & welcome to the site. Good luck on your venture, I reckon on a couple of years before we are ready to take the plunge and become real full-timers in "George". We bought and converted last year and managed a couple of trips out before the cold weather and heavy work commitments kicked in. Now in the process of getting ready for this years outings and we can't wait. You didn't say whether you work for B&Q...or have you got one of those keys to open up a lamp-post on the car park and tap in to the power?? Look forward to seeing pics of your conversion as you progress. Regards Jim
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sean
New Member
Posts: 5
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Post by sean on May 12, 2005 3:10:33 GMT
Hi my names sean and i live in dorset. Have recently bought a leyland leopard that i am converting with much help from friends.Much more work and money than first thought.Gotta be done right as it is for permanent living.Send some pics if i can work out how to do it
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Post by Jonathan Smith on May 12, 2005 9:39:24 GMT
Hi Sean, Welcome, look forward to seeing some pictures
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Post by ianduncan on May 31, 2005 12:56:03 GMT
Hi, my name is Ian Duncan and I'm afraid I don't live in the UK... I live in Brisbane, Australia. Hope you forgive me...
I've been thinking (obsessing) about converting a routemaster as a home for my family of 4 and cruising this rather large country of ours.
Great site and interestingly the first one I have found with any mention of converting double deckers!
If anyone has any comments (even along the lines of "don't be an idiot, a double decker is going to be a disaster") please feel free to let me know! And for the rest of you your sites are excellent and a great inspiration!
regards,
Ian
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Post by BruceH on May 31, 2005 14:29:33 GMT
__. Hi, Ian. I think your idea is a wonderful (I'm doing the same thing so it must be genius, right???) But I'd have a long think about a Routemaster. I considered a Routemaster but there are lots of drawbacks .. they're generally of lesser length, the front-engine is an older layout, the speed is restricted to about 40 MPH, the driver's location is blocked off, you have to deal with a replacement door for the step entrance, etc.
__. My choice was to buy a "modern" rear-engined bus. In the US, we're restricted to vehicles over 25 years old for import -- this is a stupid, self-defeating rule but we have to live with it. Buses drop to a "reasonable" price when they're 11 - 15 years old but there's lots of life in them then. I'd find a bus that's in good condition. The real issue here is mechanical reliability, spares availability and other "user friendly" aspects. You must have a good, solid to base to build into.
__. I don't know about Australia but in the US about 35 of our states have a 13'6" legal height and the other 15 have a 14' limit. The "normal" height for a double decker bus is 14' or 14'6" in the UK. Obviously, that's not workable here. But there are locations in the UK that require a lower height bus and it's possible to find late-model buses that are in the 13'6"/13'8" range. You should check Australian road regulations and see what your needs are. (Most "London" buses are high height and most Routemasters are "London" buses - this is another item that makes RM's less useable in other locations -- you'll need to find a bus made for the "regional" bus companies). You'll need to check for ceiling height in low-height buses. In my bus, the headroom is about 6'2" in the lower saloon and 5'11" in the upper saloon. Since I'm about 6'1", I don't have to worry about headroom in the lower saloon but the upper saloon is close -- no built-in cubboards or ceiling lights for me. On the other hand, I intend to be sitting or sleeping when in the upper level, so this height is less critical so I can get by with what I have. But it's something to check.
__. Most double deckers are geared for city use so you have the same speed restriction as you'll find on the RM's. In my case, internal gearbox drive gears are available to raise the cruise speed to a reasonable level but it's a 1500-2000 UKPound cost. It would be most helpful to find an inter-city bus that's geared for highway use if you intend to do long-distance touring.
__. A double-decker will be challenging. There are always overhanging tree limbs to deal with but I find that most are only leaves and twigs and can be driven through with no damage to the bus -- the problem is that lurking in the leaves may be a big, strong limb and damage to paintwork (at the least) or structural damage or broken windows (at the most) can result. But I find that keeping an eye is OK in most conditions. Also, the aspect of "legal height" means that large transport vehicles ("trucks" or "lorries") are built up to that height to maximize their volume for goods. That means that they drive along and keep overhanging tree branches broken off. With this in mind, you'll find that larger roads frequented by transport vehicles will likely have clearance for a double-decker -- it's the smaller side roads and residential streets that may be more difficult. But I've never found a problem that I couldn't get around.
__. Good luck with what you work out -- remember, there's no right and wrong; it's what's RIGHT FOR YOU. The issue is finding out what's right for you.
__. Also, don't forget that a double decker gives you a lot more floor space and with a family that may be a big advantage. Also, the aspect of having a separate level where family members can "move out from under each other's elbows" may make longer trips much more enjoyable.
__. Good luck and tell us how it goes for you.
Bruce Henderson, Wallace NC, USA (Daimler "Fleetline", Leyland O-680 engine, automatic gearbox, two-door)
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Post by Jonathan Smith on May 31, 2005 18:28:24 GMT
Hi
Ian and Bruce,
The Route masters are available with doors, the airport buses have doors at the front just behind the front wheel, many vehicles have been retrofitted with rear doors.
I have driven Routemasters on service, they are fantastic fun to drive I would highly recommend it.
Routemasters are currently available for between 5 and 10 thousand pounds sterling for a reasonable condition vehicle. Many have been re engined with cummins engines and fully automatic gear boxes. It would be possible to ship one to Australia onboard a container ship as they would fit on a 40 foot flat bed container. I used to be a navigator with P+O Nedlloyd containers who run a service from Tilbury London to most ports in Australia, those ships would easily accomodate a routemaster.
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Post by neilandco on Jun 14, 2005 13:04:38 GMT
Hi.. I am Neil... The owner of a Nissan Terrano and an ABI caravan, looking to upgrade to somthing bigger. ;D We are considering the purchase of a bus/coach but firstly with the restrictions of my driving license i am not sure what i can legally drive, My license says . stamp.....info code B C1 D1.............101 BE C1E...........107.............. 12000,kg D1E...........101,119........12000, kg Does any one know what it means and could you explain.. I think it means i can drive a fixed bodied vehicle with trailer not exceeding 12,000kg.. Please correct me if i am wrong.. Next question is, on that what size coach/bus can i drive. I have looked at various coaches and buses and they have maximum laden weight of 16,000 kg. Obviously this must include the passengers etc but i don't think i will have that many visitors so what is the unladen weight of the average coach/bus, double d.. , and is there any particular makes of chassis or body to avoid, I was looking at a Plaxton on a Volvo chassis, But it sold before i got there.. I am sorry for all the questions but i don't want to buy something i will later regret. Many thanks. Neil
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