| Author | Message | ||
| Patrick Fitzmorris (Theperson10)
Registered Member Username: Theperson10 Post Number: 1 Registered: 7-2008 Posted From: 71.106.113.151 Rating: N/A |
Hi all! I am hoping to eventually buy a Neoplan AN340/3 or AN345/3 (the Metroliner) I figure since Neopart is still around it should be pretty easy to keep it in good repair, and I like the way it looks. (oh, and i actually don't want to convert it, so I want it to still have the seats. However, I wouldn't mind having one that was converted as well....) So, I am asking here if anyone knows where I might be able to get one now or in the future, and if anyone has advice on this coach Also, I have an unrelated question. In one of the articles posted on this BBS, it is stated that coaches do not have a frame the way a car does. However, I have seen the inside of the luggage compartment of several touring coaches, and there was always a pair of large frame rails running the length of the compartment. How is that unlike the framing of a truck or car? | ||
| David Lower (Dave_l)
Registered Member Username: Dave_l Post Number: 19 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 69.196.141.118  Rating: N/A |
Those rails are in the case of MCI's are not frame rails like a car or truck, Although they do tie together the front and rear sub frames they are tunnels for runing wires, air lines, hvac ducts, cables, shifter rods or cables, They run front to back at the top center of the bays and are covered in tin. | ||
| Patrick Fitzmorris (Theperson10)
Registered Member Username: Theperson10 Post Number: 2 Registered: 7-2008 Posted From: 71.106.113.151 Rating: N/A |
interesting. Can somebody give this man a ceegar? :p now, I know that the standard car framing (now being phased out in favor of unibody) is not the only way to go, and I understand that the method of construction used in coaches works, so now what i want to know is how it works. Is it similar to unibody construction? (also, I'd like to know more about neoplans, but that has kinda taken a backseat in my mind....) (Message edited by theperson10 on July 21, 2008) | ||
| David Lower (Dave_l)
Registered Member Username: Dave_l Post Number: 20 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 69.196.141.118 Rating: N/A |
Go to Wikipedia free online and type in there search " Monoqocue ". It will give you a good idea how it works. Dave L OOOPS!! :-).But it is good to see I am not the only one with Busitis. (Message edited by dave l on July 21, 2008) (Message edited by dave l on July 21, 2008) | ||
| joe padberg (Joemc7ab)
Registered Member Username: Joemc7ab Post Number: 279 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 66.38.159.33 Rating: N/A |
Dave means "Monocoque" About 1.2 million references on google Joe. | ||
| John and Barb Tesser (Bigrigger)
Registered Member Username: Bigrigger Post Number: 90 Registered: 9-2007 Posted From: 24.197.246.104  Rating: N/A |
The way I understand it, a bus is very much like a "uni-body" car in that instead of having large heavy frame rails that support the body, the integrity of the body is its own support. This is why its essential that when removing windows,etc, the body of the bus be supported to prevent sagging. Maybe that's too simple of explanation, but I think it answers the question. | ||
| Douglas Wotring (Tekebird)
Registered Member Username: Tekebird Post Number: 373 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 71.59.75.212 Rating: N/A |
I would urge you away from neoplans. 1. Neopart will only be around as long as Neoplan Transit coaches are in service ( purely a profit venture for neoplan. 2. They are rust prone. generally quite visible. Although major componets will be available as they were and are used in other applications, you will start having cross reference issues and Neoplan Specific parts will become harder to get and eventually impossible to get (new) bright side.......if you can't get over the neoplan...they are and will be cheap. Why do you want one seated? Purpose of your construction? Just curious? | ||
| Patrick Fitzmorris (Theperson10)
Registered Member Username: Theperson10 Post Number: 3 Registered: 7-2008 Posted From: 71.106.89.213 Rating: N/A |
I have this idea of using the coach as a private coach, for family events, possibly church events, boy scout events, and the like (this is why i think I want the 45 foot, as my family (on my father's side, first cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, siblings, and parents) comprises some 47 people) While this may be an insane idea, i like it (also, I and the members of a particular forum/BBS are beginning long term planning for a convention of some kind, and I thought a bus would be good for picking up a large number of people at the airport and taking them all to a particular place) The reason i want a Neoplan is because I like the way they look, and I figured that with Neoplan USA out of business, they would either be very cheap, or very expensive,and if they turned out to be cheap, so much the better Oh, and I was recently inspired by Sean Welsh's Neoplan Spaceliner "Odyssey" I want one just like it, and i don't care if it's seated or not. (if it is, I'm not sure if I'd convert it. Maybe use it as a private coach for a few years and then convert it  ) Also, there are many, many Neoplans in daily service here in Los angeles county, both Transliners and Metroliners, and I have seen no signs of rusting on any of them. Perhaps that's partly a result of the area they are used in? | ||
| Jim Shepherd (Rv_safetyman)
Registered Member Username: Rv_safetyman Post Number: 265 Registered: 1-2004 Posted From: 72.171.0.140 Rating: N/A |
I thought Sean might respond to this thread. His coach is indeed beautiful and very unique. However, he has had some very significant problems getting some items for his coach. As I recall his was not made in the US. When he tried to find aluminum wheels he had a heck of a time. He had a hard time finding an "A" arm for the suspension and apparently the parts for that coach are no longer available from the replacement arm on Neoplan. He has talked about the terribly expensive windshields. Jim | ||
| Patrick Fitzmorris (Theperson10)
Registered Member Username: Theperson10 Post Number: 4 Registered: 7-2008 Posted From: 71.106.89.213 Rating: N/A |
His Spaceliner was made in Germany, and Neoplan GmbH no longer manufactures them. They stopped making them in 2005, apparently. While there are quite a few of them in Europe, and probably parts are still available there, it seems like a bit of a hassle. It certainly is a beautiful coach, and I surely wouldn't mind having one, but for now, I am more confident and interested in the american made Neoplans. Specifically the Neoplan Metroliner AN340, AN340/3 and AN345/3 (of these, i am most interested in the AN345/3) And so, i come full circle back to the question I made at the beginning of this thread. Anyone have one of these? and of those who do, anyone that wants to sell it in the not so distant future? Any quirks/oddities I should know about? | ||
| Len Silva (Lsilva)
Registered Member Username: Lsilva Post Number: 156 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 71.99.25.49 Rating: N/A |
Just be sure you are aware of the legal requirements for a seated coach. Even if you are hauling family members for free, it will be treated like a commercial coach. | ||
| Jim Wilke (Jim Bob) (Pd41044039)
Registered Member Username: Pd41044039 Post Number: 289 Registered: 2-2001 Posted From: 71.236.40.26 Rating: N/A |
And, I believe, if it seats more than 15 you will need to have a class B CDL. | ||
| Mark R. Obtinario (Cowlitzcoach)
Registered Member Username: Cowlitzcoach Post Number: 198 Registered: 4-2001 Posted From: 68.27.255.192 Rating: N/A |
The insurance will kill you if you have seating for more than 15-pax. You can charter a motorcoach for several days for what your insurance will cost per year. If you have seating for less than 15-pax you can insure as an RV. As an RV you will not have to worry about CDL, USDOT, etc. Besides the rust, the other issue with Neoplan buses is their electrical systems are notorious for having gremlins. I demo'ed a Neoplan and gave it up as a bad idea when it left me dead in the road more than a couple of times due to an intermittent glitch in the ATEC. If you really are set on purchasing a Neoplan, Gordy Jansen of Jansen Tours in the Seattle area died recently. I would imagine his widow will be either selling the business or selling the buses. In either case, his fleet was almost exclusively Neoplan. He had them from almost new so he had worked out most of the bugs. He had at least two 45' coaches. Good luck. Mark O. Winlock, WA | ||
| George M. Todd (George_mc6)
Registered Member Username: George_mc6 Post Number: 502 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 207.231.75.253 Rating: N/A |
1. Read Len's, Jim's, and Mark's posts, and add a "tour bus" endorsement to the commercial license requirement for a seated coach. 2. When and if you get really serious, I know where one is. All I can see of it from the freeway is the left front corner, so I know it is a Neoplan double decker. I'm not qualified on Neoplan model numbers either, so all I know is its a 40 footer, and that his brother in law owns an MC6. Like many buses, it has been sitting there for several years. George | ||
| Jack Hart (Jackhartjr)
Registered Member Username: Jackhartjr Post Number: 33 Registered: 8-2007 Posted From: 205.188.117.73 Rating: N/A |
As to the question about the frome...think airplane...thats pretty much the way they are built! Jack | ||
| Sean Welsh (Sean)
Registered Member Username: Sean Post Number: 734 Registered: 1-2003 Posted From: 166.128.27.210  Rating: N/A |
Would love to weigh in here, but lack the time. We're working the Hurricane Dolly relief operation in Texas, and so far have had an 18-hour day (in 100+ heat) followed by two 12-hour days. Interestingly, there were perhaps 100 or more buses lined up here yesterday in case of evacuation. I did not see any Neoplans (or Bryce). -Sean http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com | ||
| Jack Campbell (Blue_goose)
Registered Member Username: Blue_goose Post Number: 94 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 71.100.201.35  Rating: N/A |
There is a 1999 that is just going up for sale here in Lakeland FL. It is at Centeral Florida Bus Repair and Sales. Series 60 and B500 trans, mid 400,000 miles. Looks good and looking for home. You can buy it for less than a lot of people have paid for a engine exchange. I have nothing to do with the bus just saw it come in yesterday when I was there. For more info call John Silvers at Centeral Florida Bus Repair. Jack | ||
| David Lower (Dave_l)
Registered Member Username: Dave_l Post Number: 26 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 206.248.163.233 Rating: N/A |
There is a web site rvmotorized.com that has a 1997 Neoplan spaceliner for sale listed at $110,000. Dave L (Message edited by dave l on July 26, 2008) | ||
| Patrick Fitzmorris (Theperson10)
Registered Member Username: Theperson10 Post Number: 6 Registered: 7-2008 Posted From: 71.106.89.213 Rating: N/A |
I actually planned on getting a class B CDL anyway, and have been considering starting a touring operation of my own. However, I don't really know what the overhead of such a business would be. Perhaps this notion is doomed to fail. If Gordon's company is in fact being liquidated, it would be a good opportunity to get some coaches in good shape for relatively little, but I'm not sure I want to capitalize on a man's death. the one in florida sounds interesting, especially because of the low price. I wonder.... And as for that '97 spaceliner... Wow. that is one fine coach. Now all I have to do is find some cash... |