Newby starting to search

dirtbill · 03-21-2017, 10:38 PM

I have been lurking here a while, have a couple of friends who've done the school bus conversions and I think I have the bug now too.

My plan is to have a rear engined bus and cut a door in between the engine compartment and the wheel well large enough to install a modified wheelchair lift that I intend to use to put my motorcycles into a small garage, then with a bulkhead forward convert the remainder of the bus into living quarters.

So I think my preference would be an int/ AmTran pusher with a DT466 and 2000 series allison or better. But there are a variety of busses that I am certain would do.

I am in Ontario Canada and there are very few flat nose busses up here so I need your help. I need to know from someone who owns one how much space there is between the back of the wheel well bump and the front of the engine compartment and if its enough for my intended purpose.

I am open to suggestions too, there are some great build threads on this site that I have wasted a tremendous amount of time reading over the past couple of months. So I know there is plenty of knowledge here to tap.

Thanks in advance.

brokedown · 03-22-2017, 03:19 PM

If you want the lift, the path of least resistance is surely to get a bus that already has one. They aren't particularly rare.

Robin97396 · 03-22-2017, 04:45 PM

There are some bold fabricators on this site, but I've never heard of anyone installing a lift in a bus that didn't originally have one.

dirtbill · 03-23-2017, 08:22 AM

I agree a pre installed lift would save lots of aggravation but when the lifts are already in the back its a front engined bus, was really hoping to have a RE, I don't imagine that cutting a whole, building a frame and door and installing a lift is nearly as difficult as raising the roof in terms of fabricating?

Before I abandon the idea I was trying to determine if it would even work, ie. is there physically enough room between the wheel well and the engine compartment to build what i am thinking, if not I won't wast a lot of time trying to figure out how to do it.

thanks

superdave · 03-23-2017, 08:37 AM

try and get a bus from nc sc or tenn. lots of rust buckets up there

dirtbill · 03-23-2017, 08:43 AM

You bet, stuff up here is full of rot in only a few years, southern busses are the way to go, Florida, Georgia and anywhere out of the rust belt where they use lots for salt in the winter.

EastCoastCB · 03-23-2017, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirtbill

You bet, stuff up here is full of rot in only a few years, southern busses are the way to go, Florida, Georgia and anywhere out of the rust belt where they use lots for salt in the winter.

I live in FL and go way out of my way to buy anywhere but here or GA. Our schools are poor, they buy crappy buses then beat them to hell.

dirtbill · 03-23-2017, 09:05 AM

Thats interesting, I noticed a lot that seemed to have sat and been scavenged in some places, but I also noticed that in Arizona buses that seemed to be utterly destroyed.

Where is the best place to look, there have been a few interesting college sport team buses that seemed good deals.

Thanks

100MPG · 03-25-2017, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirtbill

I have been lurking here a while, have a couple of friends who've done the school bus conversions and I think I have the bug now too.

My plan is to have a rear engined bus and cut a door in between the engine compartment and the wheel well large enough to install a modified wheelchair lift that I intend to use to put my motorcycles into a small garage, then with a bulkhead forward convert the remainder of the bus into living quarters.

That is my exact thought! Cut out a door to fit a Honda Goldwing into the rear garage, but that is not an easy task. I might need to get a smaller motorcycle...

Robin97396 · 03-25-2017, 12:28 PM

Yeah? Another bike that won't fit!. I was wanting to put my ST1100 in my garage in the rear of the bus. At 640 pounds that bike is not easy to ride up a ramp and I'd have to remove the windshield to get it through my emergency door anyway. Loading and unloading sounds like an accident waiting to happen.

I eventually settled on the idea of getting a much lighter dual sport bike that could load and unload easily, while still providing some trail riding and can legally run the public roads. It's also a good backup plan so I don't have to walk 20 or 30 miles out of the boonies if I ever get stuck.

brokedown · 03-25-2017, 12:35 PM

I sold my vstrom when we moved into the bus, looking to get a klr250 or similar to carry on the back... But I keep getting distracted by the Grom and z125...

Robin97396 · 03-25-2017, 02:05 PM

I wanted the KLR 650 for the longest time, but then I learned my legs weren't really long enough for those tall bikes. I'm been looking at the TC200 as a light weight dual sport bike that would load and unload without any straining of muscles.

dirtbill · 03-25-2017, 03:54 PM

Well I am hoping to get my FLHTP in along with one of my dirt-dual sport bikes for extended trips to warm places.

So the dirt bikes weigh less than 300 lbs but the HD with the bags off is still 760lbs, most lifts are rated for 800lbs so I will have to fabricate a brace once its lifted up so 200lb me can get the bike in the bus.

I know, I know you guys are all saying a trailer would be easier! I might have to go that way if I can't figure all this out.

Robin97396 · 03-25-2017, 04:25 PM

It's to easy for a nice bike to get covered with road grime on a trailer. I'm for keeping mine in my proposed garage in the back which also protects it from people messing with it.

I also have the wheelchair lift, but I'm wishing I had a lift gate on the back. Six of one and a half dozen of the other. The back door is shorter than the wheelchair door.

brokedown · 03-25-2017, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robin97396

I wanted the KLR 650 for the longest time, but then I learned my legs weren't really long enough for those tall bikes. I'm been looking at the TC200 as a light weight dual sport bike that would load and unload without any straining of muscles.

The trick with tall bikes is to throw out the idea than you need both feet on the ground when you stop. Just slide your rear over to the side and like magic you can reach the ground on that side.

The klr650 is bigger than I would want but it's a great bike. It was definitely in the running when I bought my vstrom.

I'm planning to use one of the receiver hitch mounted bike carriers so I have a weight and size limit.

Robin97396 · 03-25-2017, 06:13 PM

I can't think of anything better than being able to go to a new place in a little house, then explore on a bike.

I'm selling my big bike. Scaling down. Got to if I really want to hit the road in my maxivan.

dirtbill · 03-25-2017, 07:05 PM

I'm think the bus is much more durable than a motorhome and the idea of a garage and having it set up the way I want is better. The other issue is that if you don't use them all the time they tend to develop issues at least on gas trucks, my buddy left his bus here last fall, it sat for three months he came on a freezing cold day at Christmas we fired it up and he drove to Florida not a worry in the world. that's a tough rig.

brokedown · 03-25-2017, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirtbill

I'm think the bus is much more durable than a motorhome and the idea of a garage and having it set up the way I want is better. The other issue is that if you don't use them all the time they tend to develop issues at least on gas trucks, my buddy left his bus here last fall, it sat for three months he came on a freezing cold day at Christmas we fired it up and he drove to Florida not a worry in the world. that's a tough rig.

Motorhomes generally aren't all metal and rated for rollover. Many buses are based on medium duty platforms, much stronger and more reliable than your typical truck or van platform. Motorhomes vary but most the ones I saw were made of plastic and running Ford truck engines.

Robin97396 · 03-25-2017, 08:28 PM

Yeah, a bus doesn't turn into kindling when it rolls.

EastCoastCB · 03-25-2017, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brokedown

The trick with tall bikes is to throw out the idea than you need both feet on the ground when you stop. Just slide your rear over to the side and like magic you can reach the ground on that side.

The klr650 is bigger than I would want but it's a great bike. It was definitely in the running when I bought my vstrom.

I'm planning to use one of the receiver hitch mounted bike carriers so I have a weight and size limit.

Try out shauns klr250 next time you're over.
One of the most under rated dual sports out there. Plenty of power and easy to handle. Way lighter and less top heavy than the 650.

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