c
New Member
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Post by c on Jan 25, 2007 18:17:18 GMT
hi marvelous to find this forum/website! Just at general inspiration gathering stage at moment. Im in Brighton area(East Susssex),and am looking into getting a double decker and converting for virtually full time living. Im a capenter and lived overseas for a number of years while the UK property boom soared ,and now i'm back,renting and find myself one of the multitude exploring the alternatives to house buying
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Post by merlinbus on Mar 29, 2007 15:32:04 GMT
Hi there. I feel the odd one out. I don`t own a bus or intend to convert one, but as a bus driver for the last 35 years, I have fond memories of some of the old buses I used to drive. Started on London Transport `72 at AL garage (Merton) and over the years I`ve worked at various bus and coach companies. Now work for Stagecoach. It`s good to see some of the old faithfulls escaping the breakers yard and conversions are as good as pristine restorations, for keeping them in circulation. I have to admit that modern vehicles leave me cold, even the brand new Enviro 400`s we`ve just received. Air conditioning and fingertip auto boxes aren`t a patch on a thumping AEC or Gardner 6LXB with a crash or pre-select box.
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Post by graemesanne on May 13, 2007 22:14:27 GMT
Hi I am Graeme bought a 1979 Bedford YLQ with a Plaxton Body from a Stock car racer ( I Drag Race and show a modified 1969 Ford Corsair V8) any way bought the bus because my missis does not do camping (no Hairdryer in a tent) sounded ok when tested no out of the ordinary noises but smoked a bit last owner said from lack of use; Got it home from Burton on trent to Stockport ok smoke getting better, took it up to a friend to use his pit and check out for MOT and it with no warning spat its diff out of the rear casing ( missis does not know I have her yet thinks I am looking for a tatty old transit motorhome or similar) Wow £250 + vat for recovery to base not happy: ttok diff out all 4 fingers from spider broken and ejected. major problem everybody shakes head when asked for Bedford spares: found nice guys (Walsh and Dearden ) in Darwin nr Blackburn they come up with diff cassette for £250 all rebuilt now and running MOT due Tomorrow but still putting out 3.18 to 3.5 on emmissions Ministry want 2.5 trying to adjust pump and screw throttle stop in will post more as conversion and tidy up comes along:: PS just finished steam cleaning servicing and washing taking it out from work back to hiding place my missis pulls up for fuel and Cigs sees bus and has a fit " you are having a laugh, don't believe you plus more. Good job just got new matress for the bunks, quite cosy really will be better when fixed the generator and TV will work. raining now maybe she will let me home now!!
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Post by graemesanne on May 13, 2007 22:24:04 GMT
hello my name is mick i live in a 1980 bedford pjk anyone out there know of useful sites for spares any info much appreciated Hi Mick Walsh and Dearden in Darwin Nr Blackburn have a massive yard of engines transmissions and rear axles helped me with a diff cassette try them very helpfull people ask for Alan
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Post by graemesanne on May 13, 2007 22:28:09 GMT
Thanks Jim, We have been looking at your website, George looks very good and on sets to inspire us further. I am used to driving weird and wonderful vehicles including long vehicles. I was brought up on a farm and have been in farming all my life, Now 39 i have driven allsorts from tractors and trailors to forage harvestors and combines. So a coach does not bother me too much, also my car and caravan total 38' 6 inches. what really bothers me is breaking down in a vehical of this size, Not sure which would be first, the bus or me.. Anyway can't wait to find our baby and get stuck in...... Thanks again... Neil Just done that Neil cost me £250 + VAt to be recovered 5 miles back to base ouch Adrian Flux does a breakdown/recovery policy for about £99.00 hope this helps Cheers Graeme
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Post by mike13401 on Jun 27, 2007 21:41:38 GMT
Hi My name is Mike and I live in Exeter Devon.Have just bought 1982 Leyland Tiger Duple coach to convert. Like a few of the members I have lived abroad for several years and even after selling my house there I stand no chance of buying anything here (not that I really want to). Have always wanted to live on double decker ( Im sure theres a TV prog there LOL). But as I want to travel in europe as well as live in UK aboard the coach seemed better option.Unfortunately I know nothing about coaches or buses so dont even know if the tiger is a good option.Perhaps you could advise.It was an Ebay purchase but its direct from the coach company and has 8 months Mot, so I guess it should be reasonable.Will do all interior work myself and need to crack on as insurance from Adrian Flux only gives me 6 months to complete the conversion (whats that all about?).Any help and advice would be appreciated. Wicked site. Mike
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calco
New Member
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Post by calco on Nov 2, 2007 15:45:20 GMT
hi im calco got a leyland swift coach trying to convert it myself , does anybody know anything about the new exhaust emission reg that will be coming out someone has told me i would need a special exhaust that would cost housands ?
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Post by mikehypercube on Aug 13, 2008 16:06:14 GMT
Hi there, my name's Mike Bennett. I bought a Leyland Atlantean off eBay some time ago, to convert into a motor home. This was in Aberdeen. After some months I got it through its MOT and everything, and hired an HGV driver to drive it south, to Maidenhead. I am slowly proceeding with the conversion into a motorhome, and intend to re-ergister and MOT it as such as soon as I can get the sink and porta-potti in place, so I can move it somewhere more liveable.
It sat for a few months and I had to slowly recharge the batteries over a period of weeks, but it now starts first time every time I start it.
Unfortunately the transmission appears to not be working, despite having got me south over 2 days in a freezing January. I will post the obvious questions in the relevant topic, but that's me so far.
Mike Bennett
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Post by frencheric69 on Oct 12, 2008 9:28:56 GMT
Hi Everyone.. my name is Steve and I live near Plymouth.. I'm biting the bullet and doing it..Going to buy a double decker and convert to live on.. I used to own an AEC Regent that I used to teach PSV on, and always wanted to convert but as usual never quite got round to.. Now the time is right. I'm thinking of going slightly more modern, Atlantean maybe.. I have acquired the use of land to park on whilst I do the conversion, which was the hardest part of the project I'm guessing. I'm going to try and do this properly 1st time, so that I'm not having to modify too many systems later. I want a few creature comforts so to this end I require hot/ cold water. 240v/12v electricity and heating. I have in mind a calorifier for the water, generator and solar for the electricity and wood stove/ eberspacher for the heating..I have quite a good idea about the layout I wish to have that must include a kitchen/ eating area, shower/ toilet area, lounge, 1 single bedroom plus 1 double bedroom.. The only problem I see at the moment is the single glaze windows. I have read through the site already and I think its great, was giving up hope of finding one for "doubles". Obviously I would welcome any suggestions on any aspect of this project and will hopefully be posting regular updates
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Post by albiondave on Oct 21, 2008 11:31:48 GMT
I'm an exiled uk Traveller , having been obliged to flee to europe in ' 94 when things got to be too much in england ... and have no regrets (apart from the problems of finding spares ..) I'm not a bus owner , living in a converted 1966 Albion Chieftain furniture lorry that had served as a showmans fairground shooting gallery for 20 years . But know lots about bus's & vehicle conversion in general & the problems involved in travelling around in them , and am connected with various groups in france who track ex-uk deckers in europe . I've also set up various websites , one with all sorts of rigs from my time in europe , the other showing a few thousand of other folks homes in all shapes n sizes , for which I'm also interested in recieving other folks photos ?? , and a 3rd on multiply showing the ex-uk deckers encountered in europe . www.travellerdave.co.ukwww.travellerhomes.co.uktravellerdave.multiply.comSo if anyone needs advice , or is looking for a wider audience to sell a bus let me know ?? Dave
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Post by orangebus on Dec 2, 2008 16:27:25 GMT
hi everybody i am a new member Orangebus I have a Bedford YMT Plaxton supreme 4 which has been my home for 20 m0nths. I am willing 2 help or adivse anyone doing a conversion as this is my passion. I live in suffolk,anybody nearby doing a conversion?
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Post by rakesh on Jan 4, 2009 10:41:14 GMT
Hello everybody i just pass bus driving test i want to known according british law how many hours i can drive and how long breaks a day and how many hours a weak ? thanks
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Post by Jonathan Smith on Jan 4, 2009 14:19:32 GMT
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q0j0p
New Member
DAF Optare Delta (Owner)
Posts: 2
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Post by q0j0p on Jun 28, 2009 11:19:12 GMT
Hi.... I've just started the conversion of a DAF Optare Delta (Ex British Airways shuttle bus). 16 ton. 11 Litre motor... 12m(L) x 2.5m(W) x 3m(H).
I'm attempting to do a plush conversion, but i only have DIY skills... God help me. Any advice is always welcome, plus would be willing to travel to see like conversions of Delta's. I'm looking at full insulation, bedroom, bunks, lounge, dining, 12v/24v/240v systems, LED lighting, Solar, Generator and Wind backup's.
I've got 10 x Ex-industry Deep Cycle Yuasa 100ah Batts to play with and I'm planning to intrigrate APC UPS 24v/12v power sypply units. I'm keeping the windows whole with dark tint but panelling the interior to reduce the heat loss to reduce window size as required.
Trying to make it good so that i can liveaboard and eventually take it to Europe, buy a cheap property and maybe site it there while i do up an old ruin. Then who knows....
Ideas anyone....
Darren
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Post by bristolvrt on Jun 28, 2009 21:52:07 GMT
hi there a month ago i bought a bristol vrt 1980 on ebay with gearbox trouble no mot no tax ect with the help of a mate in lincs the cracked gearbox was tig welded it passed its mot with only brakes needing adjusting, serviced the gardner and then took it 1.400 mls to spain on the ultimate road trip what a buzz 11 people 1 dog and cliff on the cd player she out side my house now being converted to a mobile bar diner thanks to mark for making it happen cheers mate
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