FL to OR to Buy a Bus

[DeMac]

I frequently peruse a few local and national marketplaces for retired buses. A few weeks ago, a new specimen appeared in my queries (Marylhurst, OR). I immediately contacted the owner to learn more information regarding the bus's provenance. Runs & drives. The IHC V392E gas engine was transplanted in the 80s, from a larger Schoolmaster. The wider spit rear is from a Greyhound. The same owners have operated it for over 40 years.


1976 Thomas Mighty Mite

After several texts, telephone conversations and photos, I sent the owner a $500 deposit (non-refundable) to hold the bus for a few weeks. By the following morning, I had already secured an airline seat and reserved car in Portland. I forwarded my travel itinerary to the owner, immediately after booking. I want him to know I'm a motivated buyer and now have an invested interest.



From there, I used Skoolie-dot-net's Advanced-Search feature to find old posts & owners of IHC V392 gas engines and Schoolmaster or Loadstar buses. I contacted them all & recieved a tremendous response.

There are several 'Givers' in this community. I received replies from members who had seemed long-gone, including a helpful reply from Lorna Schinske, she even provided a link! Thank you, to all who responded. Especially, Christopher (cadillackid) & Elliot Naess. Both have repeatedly offered thier strength & wisdom. Feels like we're all holding hands.

I'm in Portland, now.
(to be continued.....)

[Elliot Naess]

[-TC-]

Your journey is one that will change you. Traveling solo across the US is not going to be easy in the lil bus. But with determination and will power, I for see a life long journey you will never forget. Take pictures, and keep all the memories you can. Safe travels.

[DeMac]

Originally Posted by Elliot Naess

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That's me in the middle, the dumb one.

The voice of reason. Thank you for everything, my friend.

[Timeline]

Great little bus!

Enjoy the ride home.

[DeMac]

Originally Posted by -TC-

Your journey is one that will change you. Traveling solo across the US is not going to be easy in the lil bus. But with determination and will power, I for see a life long journey you will never forget. Take pictures, and keep all the memories you can. Safe travels.

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Thank you, TC for all of your help thus far and in the weeks to come.

TC is my bestie, remote travel agent and stand-in, caring for my livestock, flocks & babies on the farm.

[cadillackid]

this is awesome!!!! yes this will be an epic trip!! I did it in my 1978 Superior.. your trip is even more epic.. to this day I have really fond memories of that trip 6 years ago.. going after a Bus id dreamed of owning since I rode its sister-bus to school every day brand new..


yes take pictures... get hold of me if you have any questions or god forbid need help.. I do have the resources to get on an airplane with as many tools as the airline allows and fly some place...



here is some inspiration.. a couple pics from my portland to ohio trip in 2018 (1978 Superior Loadstar 392 for those that dont know i have that bus)..








-Christopher

[DeMac]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

this is awesome!!!! yes this will be an epic trip!! I did it in my 1978 Superior.. your trip is even more epic.. to this day I have really fond memories of that trip 6 years ago.. going after a Bus id dreamed of owning since I rode its sister-bus to school every day brand new..


yes take pictures... get hold of me if you have any questions or god forbid need help.. I do have the resources to get on an airplane with as many tools as the airline allows and fly some place...


-Christopher

------------------

Thank you, Christopher.

I wouldnt have taken the trip, had it not been for our truely inspirational talks. You probably have this positive effect on folks often. Signs that you might be an angel & not even know it.

[DeMac]

Originally Posted by DeMac

(....recap, continued)

After several texts, telephone conversations and photos, I sent the owner a $500 deposit (non-refundable) to hold the bus for a few weeks. By the following morning, I had already secured an airline seat and reserved car in Portland. I forwarded my travel itinerary to the owner, immediately after booking. I want him to know I'm a motivated buyer and now have an invested interest.

I'm in Portland, now.
(to be continued.....)

-----------



While I waited on the travel day to arrive, I continued to do research on the bus's mechanical systems. I joined Binder-Planet, posted there. Another knowledgeable, helpful bbs community. I scheduled hotel reservations and way points for the bus ride home.

On the morning before my flight, I sent the owner my hotel information and asked for the street address in Marylhurst, where the bus is located.

Unfortunately, Noah the bus is not located in Marylhurt. The owner wasn't sure why the craigslist advertisement listed it in Marylhurst. It's actually much closer to the southern border. About 6 or 7 hours away.

I already booked the flight weeks ago, there are other airports much closer, but I failed to ask "Where is the bus located?" Stupid me, I frequently ask this question of sellers on this site.
Note the photo posted by Elliot above. I actually see that face in the mirror, now.

[PorchDog]

A year ago next week-- I bought a 1995 bus just south of Reno. I asked my wife if she wanted to go with me to get it-- and she immediately answered yes. (??!!!) We are not "spring chickens" 65 and 66 years old. We flew out and drove it back, had a few minor issues, AC compressor locked up, leaking oil pressure gauge under the dash, and after rigging up an air hose with AutoZone parts--to air up a slow leak in a tire-- wound up in a truck tire shop in Gallup, NM on Labor Day who finally got us fixed. No CDL's, and the bus was still a bus.

Driving old junk is an adventure! Getting back home to Alabama-- 2100 miles-- we felt a sense of accomplishment.

We had fun.

I wish we could do it again.

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by DeMac

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While I waited on the travel day to arrive, I continued to do research on the bus's mechanical systems. I joined Binder-Planet, posted there. Another knowledgeable, helpful bbs community. I scheduled hotel reservations and way points for the bus ride home.

On the morning before my flight, I sent the owner my hotel information and asked for the street address in Marylhurst, where the bus is located.

Unfortunately, Noah the bus is not located in Marylhurt. The owner wasn't sure why the craigslist advertisement listed it in Marylhurst. It's actually much closer to the southern border. About 6 or 7 hours away.

I already booked the flight weeks ago, there are other airports much closer, but I failed to ask "Where is the bus located?" Stupid me, I frequently ask this question of sellers on this site.
Note the photo posted by Elliot above. I actually see that face in the mirror, now.

if the owner was on a hotspot or a public internet system that may have been running from an IP address in maryhurt it will list it as that way.. cellular connections do it all the time..



I block complete subnets of foreign IP's from my web tools and had a customer contact me that they couldnt access their portal... turns out they were on a fly by night ISP that runs IP addresses through questionable foreign countries.. alas i didnt enable them and they cancelled the shady ISP..

[DeMac]

Thank G, I had already reserved a rental car. I figured I'd make it a one-way rental & drive the seven hours south. Drop it off at a local office, in southern Oregon. Lol, I'm so naive.

The flight went smooth. Red-eye, slept mostly. The rental agency didn't have any one-way south options & I'd already let the cat out of the bag regarding my one-way plans. They canceled my reservation & wouldn't rent to me unless I had a return flight out of the airport or an Oregon driver's license. Another rental agency suggested that leaving their car at a different location might be considered theft.
I've heard enough horror stories about that. I moved along to short flights, buses and trains.

Alaska Air had a seat for the later that same day, $711+fees. The flight from Orlando to Portland was $288+fees, I kept looking. No transit buses going my way, anytime soon, but TC did find a train ride for the following day (today). Meanwhile, I booked a room near the airport & took a free shuttle there. I ate a nice dinner & called an Uber to enjoy a desert from the dispensary.

So far, so good. I'm actually having a terrific time & I've met several nice travelers along the way.


Portland Union Station

For the 9 hour train ride, all of the coach seats were sold out so I booked a private sleeper room. Lunch & dinner are included. Good price to stretch out, I'm glad I did.



I had lunch in the dinning car as soon as I boarded, dinner is at 7:30. I arrive in Klamath Falls, late tonight for a 12 hour layover. I'll hop on a bus in the morning. The train station closes at 11PM, so I booked cheap hotel room nearby.

[cadillackid]

awesome!!! superliner Roomette! I have travelled that way a few times and love it.. in my opinion worth the extra $$ over a coach seat.. I tended tp spend a lot of time i nthe lounge car as meeting people there is pretty easy.. dining too since I chose a shared dining option.. I love meeting new people along the way.. makes travelling so much more fun!!



one way rental cars are a crap shoot.. ive sometimes had good luck getting them and other times not... Hertz is the worst.. I refuse to rent from them.. one of my bus rescue acquisitions I had specifically rented a van as a one way so I could take an extra wheel, a bunch of tools and an AT545 (in case the dying one completely died).. i arrived at hertz and they said "this is your lucky day... we are out of vans but you can rent a mercedes from the presidents circle for less $$".... uhm "unless i can haul bus parts in that benz I really need the van".. their answer as simply "oh well"...

[Kentucky Dreaming]

Safe travels, friend.

Enjoy the adventure and continue to keep us posted along the way. You may not see us but you will have way more passengers with you in that cute little bus than its rated capacity.

[DeMac]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

awesome!!! superliner Roomette! I have travelled that way a few times and love it.. in my opinion worth the extra $$ over a coach seat.. I tended tp spend a lot of time i nthe lounge car as meeting people there is pretty easy.. dining too since I chose a shared dining option.. I love meeting new people along the way.. makes travelling so much more fun!!



one way rental cars are a crap shoot.. ive sometimes had good luck getting them and other times not... Hertz is the worst.. I refuse to rent from them.. one of my bus rescue acquisitions I had specifically rented a van as a one way so I could take an extra wheel, a bunch of tools and an AT545 (in case the dying one completely died).. i arrived at hertz and they said "this is your lucky day... we are out of vans but you can rent a mercedes from the presidents circle for less $$".... uhm "unless i can haul bus parts in that benz I really need the van".. their answer as simply "oh well"...

Originally Posted by Kentucky Dreaming

Safe travels, friend.

Enjoy the adventure and continue to keep us posted along the way. You may not see us but you will have way more passengers with you in that cute little bus than its rated capacity.

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The roomette was on the second floor. Awesome views. The staff was very courteous & friendly. More comparable to a cruise ship atmosphere. The opposite of airlines, which seem to have become cattle corrals.



I had dinner with two other vacationers, who were each traveling solo. Partied with another group later in the cafe' car. Good times!

I took an Uber to the motel, last night. It was only a half mile, so walked back to the train station this morning. Stopped at the smoke shop on the way. I'm on a short bus-ride now, chillaxin'. Only four other passengers, so far. I arrive at noon.



Thank you, Friends for your support!

[cadillackid]

yes!! the second floor!! best way to go!! you sound like you travel like me.. hanging out and meeting people wherever you go! this is the way to do it!!

[Kentucky Dreaming]

Danny, I have an eagle chat friend in Klamath Falls. Probably can't hook the 2 of you up together in time before you leave. He has some amazing fish ponds.

Safe travels, friend

[Kentucky Dreaming]

Here is the best train ride song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYjOMIki6qs

[DeMac]

I made it to the bus!

Noah starts when I add a bit of gas to the carb. Stays running if kept pouring. Checked power at the pump. I have 12.3v at the pump.


Disconnected the hose. No gas coming out. No vibrations or sound when power is applied. I removed the pump & went to NAPA to find a replacement.



Per Christopher, I'm looking for about 6psi at the carb. I may have a good 12v candidate,.8.4 psi, max. Same size inlet/outlet.

Installed new fuel pump. Same symptoms. I verified that I still have 12 volts at the pump.


Should I prime the pump first?

I believe the pump ought to be audible when I'm under the pump with my hands on it. Am I right right or might it be silent?

[DeMac]

Originally Posted by Kentucky Dreaming

Danny, I have an eagle chat friend in Klamath Falls. Probably can't hook the 2 of you up together in time before you leave. He has some amazing fish ponds.

Safe travels, friend

Thank you, Friend. Give the eagle my cell number.