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Re: Bedford Bus

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2012 12:14 pm
by Dusty
Now that's dedication ... 1300kms round trip just to view the bus.

Congratulations on your new purchase, I hope you have a lot of fun with it :)

Re: Bedford Bus

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2012 3:39 pm
by stuartcnz
Dusty wrote:Now that's dedication ... 1300kms round trip just to view the bus.
Anyone, who wants a housebus/truck, who is afraid of a little travel, should probably be looking for a different kind of house. :D

Re: Bedford Bus

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 12:34 am
by stuartcnz
Here are some photo's I took of the bus, when having a look at it yesterday. I have arranged transport for it and expect to have it at my place in around two weeks time.

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It's definitely rough around the edges. However, it is useable as liveable accommodation as is. So the interior can be redone as and how time and money dictate.

To get it in a road ready and legal state the vacum booster needs attention and reinstallation along with the master cyclinder. The starter motor also needs attention. The cracked window, behind the fridge either needs fixing or removing, I will be removing that window and covering the hole. The platform on the back likely needs to be removed. The indicator lenses may need replacing due to fading. Plus anything else the testing station may find. I haven't checked any of the lights, so may be in for some surprises there.

Also needs the drivers seat bolted back in, and I need to find a passenger seat and install that too.

Re: Bedford Bus

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 12:50 am
by stuartcnz
Stealth Camper wrote:
But what about that steering wheel thing....being on the wrong side and everything...??
The steering wheel is on the right side of the bus, it just doesn't make sense to have it on the wrong side. :D

Re: Bedford Bus

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 3:22 am
by Headache
LOL. I have to admit that it was a bit confusing to see the steering wheel there. I'll definitely be looking forward to your build.

On that platform, what about shortening it rather than taking if off completely? One thing I enjoy about the Tortoise is the plants he puts on the back. You could shorten it and still have room for plants and your bike!

Re: Bedford Bus

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 8:14 am
by Dusty
Thats terriffic Stuart, nice to see the pics and compare the differences to my VAS, you can see where the different body builders have kept to the theme , but done their own bit in the details.

Check the post I did on my VAS http://www.nomadicista.org/viewtopic.ph ... 3&start=90 the whole front , side windows, roof ends, lights, are different yet it still looks like a loaf of bread :)

I have a spare brake vaccuum booster you can have if its needed.
Regards

Re: Bedford Bus

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 8:58 pm
by Dennis The Bus Dweller
Thats great Stuart 8)

Re: Bedford Bus

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 9:51 pm
by stuartcnz
Dusty wrote: I have a spare brake vaccuum booster you can have if its needed.
Regards
I may take you up on that Dusty. The existing one is sitting in a cardboard box inside the bus, so I will have a look at it when the bus arrives to see what condition it is in.

My bus definitely has less headroom than yours does, but I agree that the theme is much the same, it's always easy to spot a beddy.
Headache wrote: On that platform, what about shortening it rather than taking if off completely? One thing I enjoy about the Tortoise is the plants he puts on the back. You could shorten it and still have room for plants and your bike!
I also like the idea of a platform/storage locker, like TFT's on the back. This one however, obscures the registration plate and is also just welded on to the back of the bumper. I think it will be easier to just cut it off, and at some stage do a new one from scratch.

Re: Bedford Bus

Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 5:46 pm
by stuartcnz
It has arrived!

A little over an hour ago the truck arrived and we spent about half an hour doing things that people who don't have heavy transport experience shouldn't attempt. But the end result was that even though the bus wouldn't start, we safely managed to put it exactly where I wanted.

It's getting dark out, now, so no photo's before tomorrow.

Re: Bedford Bus

Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 6:37 pm
by Dusty
Very cool .

It's great to hear it has arrived safely.

I guess the placement of the bus was helped by the handbrake still working LOL :) :)

Re: Bedford Bus

Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 9:36 pm
by The Flying Tortoise
Fantastic Stuart!
Congratulations on your new bus and of course having the ability to choose a Beddy!
I look forward to seeing your build progress...
All the best.
Keith

Re: Bedford Bus

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 1:46 pm
by stuartcnz
It is raining very hard here today, but I did manage a little video of the interior.



This will be a major project over time. The first goal I want to achieve is to get the bus running and road legal. At least it can then be used for camping in relative comfort, as is.

The bus feels roomy inside and has a basic layout that seems to work well for the space, but in the end everything will need to be rebuilt from scratch.

Re: Bedford Bus

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 9:26 pm
by Lostranger
Love the lawn chair motif. Congratulations again, Stuart. Fun from the start, yet plenty to keep you busy.

Jim in North Carolina

Re: Bedford Bus

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 9:42 pm
by Dusty
Excellent Stuart , thanks for the walk thru.

Bargain buy of the year I think. :)

Re: Bedford Bus

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 11:36 pm
by somewhereinusa
Great looking bus, sometimes I wish I had gone the "already done" route. I'm getting antzy to go somewhere.