Am now back home again as I have guest arriving from ireland in a few days and I thought I'd better tidy up the spare room. Will probably take a week or so as at present I cannot even get fully into the room :).
Went down the coast to Melbourne stopping at Sussex Inlet, Bermagui, Eden, Lakes Entrance and Phillip Island over 7 days, just taking it easy.
Then spent 5 days at my Daughters place just catching up and building a rabbit hutch for Grandaughter. Came back via Echuca then over to Bright then Beechworth, on to Wagga Wagga as I'd never been there, then Gundagui (Dissapointing to see how run down the Dog on the Tuckerbox area has become. I hope the Local Council does something soon, as promised.) then Goulburn and home
I still havn't got the motorbike rack built for the back of the bus so will most likely do that before Christmas.
Sorry. no photos on this trip as I was too lazy to bother, I'll do better next time.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Back from Alice
Arrived back home on Sunday 11th. October with 7000km more on the odometer. The bus performed well with just a couple of "minor" problems. 80Km south of Alice Springs the hose on the high pressure side of the vacuum pump split causing a fine spray of engine oil to coat the side of the bus completely down one side. By the time I noticed there was only about 2 litres of oil left in the sump.
Arrived in Alice in style on the back of a tow truck. Two days later all fixed, new hose, new oil, new oil filter, new fan belt and most importantly a new alternator adjustment bolt, the cause of the problem in the first place, as this had fallen off and the resultant vibration had caused the hose to split (The vacuum pump is on the back of the alternator). Two weeks later and I'm still dealing with cleaning up oil.
A great time was had at the Trikefest. Met some really nice people and saw some great trikes.
On Saturday almost all the trikes went out to Hermannsberg and Glen Helen an awsome sight to see ~ 80 trikes in convoy. Thanks Johann and Paul for the lifts.
Sunday morning saw everyone gathered at the Council grounds at the end of Todd Mall where we attracted lots of people come to look at and admire the trikes.
Came home via Tennant Creek , Mt.Isa, Longreach, Bourke and Narrabri.
About 100Km west of Longreach I split a heater hose, so it was out and under the bus to replace it, I had spare hose so only lost a couple of hours whilst I waited for things to cool down and did the work.
Just another perfect swimming hole in the McDonnal ranges.
Two new tyres on the steer axel today and a wheel alignment and I am leaving for Melbourne in a couple of days. Will probably go via the coast road.
Arrived in Alice in style on the back of a tow truck. Two days later all fixed, new hose, new oil, new oil filter, new fan belt and most importantly a new alternator adjustment bolt, the cause of the problem in the first place, as this had fallen off and the resultant vibration had caused the hose to split (The vacuum pump is on the back of the alternator). Two weeks later and I'm still dealing with cleaning up oil.
On Saturday almost all the trikes went out to Hermannsberg and Glen Helen an awsome sight to see ~ 80 trikes in convoy. Thanks Johann and Paul for the lifts.
Sunday morning saw everyone gathered at the Council grounds at the end of Todd Mall where we attracted lots of people come to look at and admire the trikes.
Came home via Tennant Creek , Mt.Isa, Longreach, Bourke and Narrabri.
About 100Km west of Longreach I split a heater hose, so it was out and under the bus to replace it, I had spare hose so only lost a couple of hours whilst I waited for things to cool down and did the work.
Just another perfect swimming hole in the McDonnal ranges.
Two new tyres on the steer axel today and a wheel alignment and I am leaving for Melbourne in a couple of days. Will probably go via the coast road.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Work Continues
Has it been over a month since I picked up the vehicle? In that time I have moved the batteries from the back bumper into a compartment behind the boot lid, ripped out the dinette which was too cramped and made a couch in is place with a swing-away table which takes up no more room than the original. The inside has been refreshed with a coat or two of paint.
I have fitted an 80w solar panel and charge controller plus a Zantrex smart charger and a 400w inverter. The carpet has been replaced by cliplock flooring and I have added some LED lighting strips above the stove and sink. The radio cassette player has been upgraded to a car Radio/DVD player and the video from this now feeds the TV. I hope to have the new curtains back from the seamstress today. and I have a couple of LED downlights to install in the near future. Photos of all this to come shortly (soon, as the insurance people require some).
The real test of all this will come starting Friday, as that's when I leave for Alice Springs. I will be there for the "Aussie Trikefest" over the 2nd. 3rd. and 4th. of October when there will be Trikes from all over Australia there.
More to come.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
OK it looks like I've found the bus
A Nissan Civillian. Seems to be mechanically sound with most of the features I was looking for.
The batteries and spare wheel will be moved to make room for my motorbike and then
I intend to add solar and change house lighting to LED. Air-Cond. may come later.
Looks like I'll be busy for a little while. I'll post more as I go on with the work.
A Nissan Civillian. Seems to be mechanically sound with most of the features I was looking for.
The batteries and spare wheel will be moved to make room for my motorbike and then
I intend to add solar and change house lighting to LED. Air-Cond. may come later.
Looks like I'll be busy for a little while. I'll post more as I go on with the work.
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