|
Post by chattanoogadd on Jan 24, 2011 23:29:38 GMT
Hey everyone,
My name is Rufus and I own company called Chattanooga Double Decker (Located in Chattanooga, TN USA). We will utilize our one and only bus (1960 Routemaster) to do historic tours and special events beginning this late May. The bus has had an international engine installed with an Allison transmission as well as having the top taken off. I'm looking forward to being part of the British Double Decker community and if you have any questions of me please feel free to ask.
Cheers
Rufus
PS Does anyone know where I could get some kingpins for my bus? Its either the no ring or 2 ring type.
|
|
|
Post by nathanv on Mar 5, 2011 21:45:13 GMT
Hi, my name is Nathan and I'm from Oxfordshire. I'm researching the fundamentals of converting a coach into a motorhome. During some internet searches I came across this interesting site.
I'm thinking along the lines of a 1990's Plaxton Paramount 3500, with Volvo B10M running gear. I'm assuming that the availability of spares for the running gear with be pretty good due to the popularity of the B10M chassis. Does anyone know where I could get hold of technical information regarding the chassis & body dimensions? My trawl through the web has been fruitless to say the least. Even working out what the engine type would by is a real issue in determining running & maintenance costs/availability - not helped I guess by the amount of swapping in/out that happens in a coach's lifetime. Bio-fuels would also be an option.
Regards the interior I am planning a contemporary bespoke design, as I'm very fortunate that I have a friend who is a furniture maker. Will require a complete strip-out and the addition of suitable insulation. I would like to be as self-contained as possible, so there seems to be a lot of work in determining water, waste, heating, electrics & cooking systems. I'm sure that there'll be a few trips to motorcaravan shows to help with the project direction.
On top of this I have to convince my girlfriend that it is a great idea to do this and to (eventually) basque in the freedom that it will offer when the motorhome is complete. I'm even giving up on my trackday car for this!! There are some other issues, such as storage/workshop space, all form part of the challenge! Fun times!?
|
|
|
Post by sharpsbus on Mar 12, 2011 22:21:03 GMT
Hello everyone! We are SharpsBus. Great to be here. We are all from Coulsdon, Surrey in UK. Currently seeking a DOUBLEDECKER BUS to convert into our family HOME. Can't wait to to start our journey. We are advertising our search at the mo for a reliable bus of any age. We are looking at Two totally different buses and one of which is the LEYLAND ATLANTEAN we may just be able to afford. However it requires a brandnew( secondhand) GEARBOX WANTED . High and low we look, the prices are as expected but need really do need one not far from us. Anyone know where we could buy a gearbox. For AN68, 1972.
Reply here or direct to sharpsbus@hotmail.co.uk
We love doubledeckers, if you have one for sell which would suit us even better then please let us know.
Arthur and Lisa
|
|
|
Post by michigan on Jun 25, 2011 0:03:08 GMT
Hi all, Just joined in. I'm Dave. I have a Dodge 50 series that I converted and drove down to Spain and lived in her for six months. In a flat in Cornwall now but thinking it's time to go back to the bus again and hightail it back to the sun it's too expensive here now
|
|
|
Post by busted on Dec 12, 2011 22:10:11 GMT
hi folks, emma here from lincs,mech engineer by trade, served my time on buses and trucks many moons ago, converted a 70ft wooden trawler and lived aboard for 3 years, back on dry land now but got itchy feet. my latest infatuation is to buy a coach and convert it for full time living. so looking for a coach ,the older the better. interesting site
|
|
|
Post by glennwood on Jan 4, 2012 7:04:11 GMT
Hi my wife and I live in glengarry tasmania australia We have just bought ourselves a 1975 leyland national bus converted to a motorhome was on the net trying to find a workshop manual for the bus and came across this site and thought we would sign up and say hi to all you bus owners etc ;D cheers Glenn&Helen
|
|
|
Post by happydays601 on Jan 19, 2012 11:05:15 GMT
Hi, I have a 1986 Leylander Olympian, we want to convert the downstairs into a kitchen area (stainless steel) and seating upstairs. Cannot find anyone who is not trying to rip my wallet apart. Can anyone help and if it's you who can call me at work on 01285868111 Les. Please no funny calls as it is a military base that can check on any number. Thanks
|
|
amy
New Member
Posts: 2
|
Post by amy on Nov 4, 2012 21:34:52 GMT
Hello Hello! looking forward to meeting some like minded people to share the dream.. .Im from Oxfordshire but always moving around mainly Brighton and Cornwall. Always wanted to live alternatively . I may be buying a part converted bus but have lots of questions on how to go about any advice would be awesome
|
|
|
Post by larrykehoe on Oct 22, 2014 22:02:52 GMT
hi guys, larry here, just bought a very reasonable (mechanically)leyland swift 37 seater bus. 1991 on an irish plate, the floor needs some attention and some other small tidying up but i`m sure i`ll find the info on here, theres very little otherwise online so i really hope i find it here hahahaha...
plans are to turn it into a 6 berth and bring the kids touring, my dad kind of builds campers as a passtime, he`s retired so he loves it, and hes a genius with electrics, i`ll do the spanner pulling and i`ve got some carpenter mates from work that are pretty tasty so i`m sorted for frameing and the general building, but...
got no actual experience of building or liveing or driveing for that matter in a camper, so be prepared for lots of silly newbie questions on all aspects of converting..
|
|
|
Post by mishmash on Jun 23, 2015 10:13:17 GMT
Hello, Im Mishmash and I am converting a Bristol VR double decker with a semi automatic gardener engine. The loose plan at the moment is to convert downstairs into a motor home and keep the upstairs as a roof top garden and maybe work it at fairs etc as a thingytail bar/massage area. We have had a canopy made to cover the open area which can be rolled up at the sides or removed in sections. A big project but much fun!
|
|
|
Post by splitshift on Dec 23, 2015 0:28:46 GMT
hello, newbie here ! live in central Scotland and drive wagons for a living, modern scanias etc, auto boxes et all ! Totally fed up with life at mo, VERY SERIOSLY thinking of selling the house and buying a bus to convert, just go where the road takes me !During the late 80s , was involved with stock car racing , a very rich gent turned up with a brand new van hool race transporter, all Italian job , car in the back etc. I loved it, and looking now at some e bay prices, well , you can imagine ! Thing is, just how good , or bad, would a £2500/£3000 coach be ? I don't know much about psv/coach specifics, but what sort of things go wrong, apart from boxes and engines, etc? Ive noticed some talking about lockers and their vulnerability , also doors , but as I actually LIKE welding this shouldn't be a problem !Oh and assuming mpg would be about the 9/10 mpg mark ? If its a T8 would it run on home made fuel ? Assuming both scani and Volvo in plentifull supply in breakers ? Also, if its got air con , then that will be in the entire cabin ? old tiger cubs and dominants of old,had air con in the overheads and heaters in the walls, floor areas, ??Also, licences, I am an old git and have D1 entitlement, so, does that mean I can drive it with 16 seats ? Hope to totally remove and leave only 4,5,6 seats, bunks etc with one good "bedroom" in the rear.Is the best way to aquire a caravan and remove all kitcheny parts or fit home stuff ? Obviously , I have full artic licence but assume if its a motor home, then car licence would suffice anyway ? Totally at embryonic stages here and looking for very basic help ! Reason thinking of van hool as they would be easy for parts across Europe ? Ps , as this a british bus site, my father was coach trimmer in Glasgow road all his life and my grandfather was tinsmith foreman in brown street , where he lived ! ( Scottish people should know where they are/were !) saw alexanders very first dominant, think it was a ford getting photographed, pdi and plates fitted in the street ! Anyway, sorry if all stupid questions but am just starting ! Scott
|
|
|
Post by paulwijdenes on May 16, 2018 17:51:32 GMT
Hi, our name is Paul and Patricia Wijdenes. we are Dutchies living near Amsterdam. our grown up son lives near Bristol. We want to live in a bus on a campsite near Amsterdam when we are there. We keep a place in England. We found a simple campsite near Amsterdam and decided that since we ve been talking about this for years we need to start doing it. The prices of housing is high and we just simply do not want to live like this no more. We want a simpler lifestyle.
Dutch law (read EU law) seems to be very strict converting a doubledecker bus or busses in general into a motorhome. The bus will be registered and owned by our in Bristol living Son. The bus will then be english licenced iand insured. Sometimes i struggle with understanding the exact meaning of for me difficult words when reading about MOT and vehicule tax etc.
Is there a option to have an oldtimer doubledecker bus (it s just the most beatifull vehicule ever for us, just looking at them makes my day) and not have every two years a MOT ? The car must ofcourse be safe but firstly its going to be a home. I understand that certain cars of old age do not need a MOT? Every two years Amsterdam to England viia Calais is a thing and consuming free Days.
Are there also old english buses that run on petrol? diesels are more and more banned from city centres in Holland. An option to make it run on gas is than a possibility. This is clean and gets us everywhere and overhere way cheaper. I do not think there are but if anyone knows an answer it will be here.
|
|
jdoutoftheblue
New Member
A bloke who owns a 1975 Daimler Double Decker Bus with a view to convert it into a coffee shop.
Posts: 1
|
Post by jdoutoftheblue on May 25, 2020 3:40:21 GMT
Hi there folks.
JD here in Perth Western Australia. I have bought an old 1975 Daimler Fleetliner Double Decker Bus and I am stripping it out in order to convert it to a coffee bus. This bus was brought to WA some 30 odd years ago and was used as a charter bus for Scott's Bus Charter back then, and I drove it for his company for about 2 1/2 years or so. It's gone through a couple of refits and changes since then, including a couple of different people attempting unsuccessfully to convert it into a mobile home. I bought it about three years ago and have only just brought it home from where it has been stored and am just a little excited now at the prospect of converting it with a small team.
The Gardiner Diesel motor is great and purrs like a kitten, and it's still licensed and drivable, but the interior condition is pretty grotty, mind you, with the refurbishment, that's not an issue.
My biggest concerns will be the electrics and the condition of the driver's area with some of the instrument panel not working or looking very old. The project is going to be slow and methodical and I'll be chipping away at things as I can, but I am relishing the prospect of bringing this old girl back to looking shiny and welcoming.
Any advice, ideas, contacts, thoughts, and referrals would be most welcome.
While I see that this site is a forum for all sorts of ideas and stories, I welcome any contact about any subject, not just my own project, as I am always happy to discuss ideas and journeys.
if you want to see anything about me or the bus, my Facebook page is under John Donoghue JD
Regards. John Donoghue (JD)
|
|
|
Post by Bex2023 on Jun 13, 2023 0:55:40 GMT
I have my D licence in the uk . Now i want a bus to convert into 9 seats inc the drivers seat. I need the sleeping quarters .. full kitchen and cupboards ect. Shower units ect to live in. I do not have cat C
My experience is driving minibuses and took the next step to get D category.
How do i get my bus to stay in the D licence category. I also have CPC
i have never done insurance for a bus. Its not like insuring a car.
What do i need to do to buy my first bus.? Get it taxed , mot, and on the road?
|
|