| Author |
Message |
John (192.9.25.11)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 15, 2001 - 7:16 pm: | |
I'm getting a little scared here... I'm starting to run out of the unanswered questions that stand between sanity and a full-fledged case of bus nut fever! I do have a few tough ones left, though:
1. Since I'm really NEW to this, with lots of interest and enthusiasm (but precious little evidence of the skills and experience needed to pull this off) I figure I need some local colleagues! How can I go about finding some folks REAL CLOSE who have experience in doing a conversion?
2. How do I figure out the local legalities about doing the conversion in my back yard? After a close call with the local sheriff and posse over a shed a couple of years ago (they wanted to see my plot plan BEFORE they'd tell me whether I could put the shed in - made it hard to remain anonymous while I figured out which side of the law I was going to be on after I installed the shed I'd already purchased ;-) I'm afraid to walk in and ask 'em "is it OK if I do this in my yard?"
3. How do I find a bus mechanic? Seems like this would be a good person to know... I like the advice I've seen elsewhere to pay a pro to inspect a bus before you buy it. Plus, a great guy to know in case of disaster! Goes without saying that a first-hand recommendation would be great, since that's the way I've found the auto mechanic who I've come to trust with my life!
4. (Maybe really dumb, but I haven't figured it out yet) How do I get rid of the seats when I strip a bus? I've had a heck of a time disposing of old "junk" (tires, washing machines, etc.) in my town. No place to just go dump a bunch of it for a fee around here. Come to think of it, how much other "junk" am I going to generate and need to dispose of?
5. Do I need a pickup truck? Seems like lots of heavy stuff is gonna need to be hauled around. Wondering whether that's gonna be critical?
6. What else haven't I thought of yet (in the "can I really pull this off" category)? I'm investigating the following: CDL req'mts for my state; travel and campground restrictions for bus conversions; will my marriage survive? will my neighbors hate me? how am I gonna relocate that shed to make room in the yard? can I really do the work? (I've ordered Galey's book to try to get as clear a picture as I can of the process so I can assess my skills, and determine how much help I'll need). What other questions should I be asking?
Thanks for all the advice!
John |
madbrit (216.67.211.82)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 15, 2001 - 7:33 pm: | |
Well John,
at least you are asking questions before jumping in with both feet!!!.... LOL.
1)It would help if you posted where you are and see if there is anyone nearby who will be a "bus-buddy".
2)What has a shed got to do with the Sheriff, it should be a Planning and Zoning issue. If you don't have any ordinances or estate rules (CC&Rs)against having a bus at home, you should be ok. If it is licensed and insured all the better, then no one can complain about an unlicensed vehicle.
3)Yellow pages, ask in truck stops, word of mouth, but try to find one who has a good reputation from a few different people.
4)Looks like you may be taking them for a ride to another town which has a dump. Failing that, find someone that wants cinema type seating. Also, see if the source that is selling you the bus will take them out for a fee. It really depends what condition and style they are.
5)You don't have a pick up truck already?????!!!!!
6)CDL requirements, check under CDL on this BB in the "Keyword Search" section, again you failed to state where you live.
With reference to your questions about your marriage and neighbors, ask Cleo......
If you find you have no skills at all, then you will need really deep pockets.
Good luck.
Peter. |
john (192.9.25.11)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 15, 2001 - 9:12 pm: | |
1. Well, I guess this *is* one place to ask where to find local "buddies". I'm in Contra Costa County, California. About 15 miles east of Oakland. So maybe I can find some readers of this BB in the area. But with all due thanks, I was also asking the more general question of how one finds local buddies... i.e., I assume that this is a common enough request that perhaps people have a way of identifying there location at one of the big rallies? Or are there local associations that people belong to?
2. Was kind of kidding about the "sherrif". It was the building inspector that I was talking to, who asked me where I lived before he was willing to answer my question... made me a little nervous. I have no homeowners association, so there are no homeowner CC&Rs. Is there typically some local ordinance covering this type of thing that I need to cover? Thanks for the good advice re: registering and insuring!
3. OK, good advice. I guess that's one of the things I would like to discuss with my "new local buddies" :-)
4. "Cinema type seating". Hmmm... where might I find people interested in such. Seriously, would a classfied ad likely draw any interest? I can picture a rather bizarre sort of yard sale...
5. Nope, no pickup truck. Yet. Am I fundamentally constitutionally flawed?
6. Live in CA. But I already covered this (with you, I think!) This was in the category of stuff I already have leads on (just to show you I'm not totally helpless ;-) But I was really asking "what else am I not thinking of" before jumping in?
THANKS! |
madbrit (216.67.211.82)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 15, 2001 - 9:43 pm: | |
There is a great guy just starting out refurbishing his GM bus who lives in Merced. His name is Kenny and he knows of a few other bus nuts in the area. His email is:
kenandjackie@earthlink.net
Tell him Peter sent you. He has asked many questions already and so can probably answer most of your initial ones.
I thought you were jesting about the Sheriff, I was just playing along.
As for parking the bus, if you have it registered as a motorhome I can't see why you should have any problem parking it at your home. In Lake Havasu City Az. the City got upset about all the motorhomes parked at residences, so they made an ordinance that all RVs had to go under a car port type structure. After a while, they gave up as the structures looked far worse than the sea of RVs.
Associations that come to mind are local Chapters of the FMCA and Good Sam.
Peter. |
FAST FRED (63.215.230.124)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 16, 2001 - 5:23 am: | |
Usually if you have legal plates and insurance, the locals cant do much about yout coach.
IF you live in a "restricted deed " community all bets are off.
BE kind , no one likes to live next to a junk yard , so some sort of visual screening {behind the house?} coulkd help.
Talk to the neighbors on either side ,and across the street, if they are not a hassle source it helps.
A small trailer is much lower , so easy to load junk on , and requires no insurance, unlike another vehicle.
Big enough to carry 4 X 8 ply is usually big enough.
Try to find a BUS mechanic, not a truck mechanic .
Get the vibes at local charter or transit co. when you ask for a complete checkout of what your going to buy.
FAST FRED |
John (192.9.25.11)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 16, 2001 - 11:48 am: | |
That helps & confirms my thoughts. Definitely plan to talk with the neighbors first, and do everything to minimize any unpleasantness. Have a somewhat screened back yard, due to fences and elevation, so should be able to eliminate any eyesores.
Like the suggestion of a trailer over a pickup - great idea!
Thanks for suggestions re: mechanic. Gather you're suggesting I contact a local charter or transit company and ask them for service? Or should I go there and try to meet a mechanic who will work on the side? What do people usually do?
Thanks,
John |
FAST FRED (63.215.225.241)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 17, 2001 - 5:44 am: | |
The best place to get the engine , and if its an allison tranny checked out is DD.
About $150 should get 30 min of Dynomometer time, which is the only way to have the coach checked at top rpm.
This should include setting the idle , and hi idle , and at least recording the top RPM so you can know where the gov is set.
I would go to the coach place next and for $200+ or so have the oil changed and undercarrage inspected and lubed and breaks adjusted.
Most places will let you walk under and have the wrench show you how to do the breaks , fast & simple.
By tossing a bit of service (easy cash} to the bus guys , you can check them out, as a question answering source , and perhaps for future service.
IF you purchase a good running coach ,{ and in this depressed market , there is NO reason to buy a junker}you wont need to have a wrench moonlight for you.
IF you want a 40 ft the MCI 9 's are still avilable from new Jersy for $8,000 ,, a very hard price to beat!!IF you need 40 ft.
FAST FRED |
Steve Fessenden (63.27.88.98)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 17, 2001 - 6:36 pm: | |
Remember that in many communities the bus has to be able to run and be moved to be in a yard, just like a car. You may want to plan so that you do not have a long down time with a not running bus. They can ticket non running vehicles in Polk County Florida, though they usually don't. If it is running the neighbors have no complaint though they probably don't want to hear it run early Sunday morning to prove it.
Steve Fessenden |
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