Bluebird Bus Conversion Project & Cross Country Trip

[LuckyHenriksen]

Can't go wrong with either Cat or Cummings. How much was initial cost and then you added $? Since you are not for hire and non passenger this is all on a Class A license under 13K GVWR correct?

I paid $2000 for it initially, right now I have approx. $4800 total invested, including the purchase price, the expensive fridge, toilet, stove, and building supplies. I still haven't added up the cost of the battery bank/solar/inverter/charger setup, or the cost of having some preventative maintenance done. I'm guessing I will have about $7K invested by the time we are ready to roll. It's been at a truck repair shop for the last few days having some things taken care of, hopefully I get it back by this weekend. Then we can finish up the interior and I can wire up the very simple electrical system.

You are correct, this is a not for hire vehicle titled as an RV. I do not have a CDL. I am legally allowed to operate it just like any other motorhome with my standard license

[LuckyHenriksen]

Looks like a blast. I second some1 else's comment on replacing that mid mounted diesel generator with a modern Honda generator. Would make powering all you shiz much easier.

You are absolutely right about the Honda genny being a nice addition, but I am working with a small budget, and I would rather spend the couple thousand on a dual sport motorcycle to haul along behind then the generator. I think my basic battery bank and inverter setup should give us plenty of power, all I need to run is the fridge, a few lights here and there, a small fan, and lots of chargers for phones and computers

[timmyr77]

this is the coolest thing ever!

[Vedubin01]

You are absolutely right about the Honda genny being a nice addition, but I am working with a small budget, and I would rather spend the couple thousand on a dual sport motorcycle to haul along behind then the generator. I think my basic battery bank and inverter setup should give us plenty of power, all I need to run is the fridge, a few lights here and there, a small fan, and lots of chargers for phones and computers

I have a friend with a really nice KTM 400 duel sport in Orlando for kinda on the cheap. Its the 2 stroke version but in great shape. I was going to pick it up myself as just something to ride, but you have to mix gas. If interested let me know, I think he was asking $1250 for it.

[LuckyHenriksen]

I have a friend with a really nice KTM 400 duel sport in Orlando for kinda on the cheap. Its the 2 stroke version but in great shape. I was going to pick it up myself as just something to ride, but you have to mix gas. If interested let me know, I think he was asking $1250 for it.

Man that's a great price, but im just not into 2 strokes. Still tempting though... Thanks for letting me know

[LuckyHenriksen]

Getting some more things done, our departure date is coming up fast! We are leaving on Saturday, the 31st

Got the front end torn down, getting a new water pump and some fresh belts



Also scrubbed the roof and installed a 100 watt solar panel to help keep the house batteries charged up







Lindsey working hard on getting curtains up





Plumbed the sink. Made a simple copper faucet and installed the foot pump underneath. Works pretty well surprisingly



And we painted our stripes metallic copper, adds a little retro flare and covers up the letters

[Sea Aych]

Wow! Really really like how the bus is turning out! Keep up the good work - you're set to have a pretty amazing trip!

[LuckyHenriksen]

Here is a rough outline of the first leg of our trip. Hopefully we are able to get to all these areas, these are places we have talked about visiting for a long time now. Also, if any of you guys are along our route we would love to meet up for a beer, especially if there is a brewery around

[freeride53]

OMFG awesomeness in this is off the charts. Be sure to take many MANY photos on your trip.

[rzerob]

This thing is awesome. I can't get enough. I do have a few more questions.

1. How do you lock this up? Does it have a standard lock setup? Or do you have something you came up with? Ex. chain and padlock?

2. Where is you r3vlimited window sticker? And where is your "My other car is an E30" window sticker?

The copper stripe looks good. To bad you couldn't paint the whole bus. She did a great job on the curtains.

Have fun on your trip. Be safe and keep this thread updated when you can.

[slammin.e28]

Change Roanoke Va to Staunton Va and thank me with a beer when you're in town.

...better yet make it Charlottesville and there are some AWESOME breweries here....google the Brew Ridge Trail.

[LuckyHenriksen]

OMFG awesomeness in this is off the charts. Be sure to take many MANY photos on your trip.

Thanks man don't worry There will be mucho pics

This thing is awesome. I can't get enough. I do have a few more questions.

1. How do you lock this up? Does it have a standard lock setup? Or do you have something you came up with? Ex. chain and padlock?

2. Where is you r3vlimited window sticker? And where is your "My other car is an E30" window sticker?

The copper stripe looks good. To bad you couldn't paint the whole bus. She did a great job on the curtains.

Have fun on your trip. Be safe and keep this thread updated when you can.

Thanks man! There is a factory lock on the front door, it's works well but will only keep the honest people out. I do need a r3v sticker, time to place another order I guess. I will definitely keep this thread updated

[LuckyHenriksen]

Change Roanoke Va to Staunton Va and thank me with a beer when you're in town.

...better yet make it Charlottesville and there are some AWESOME breweries here....google the Brew Ridge Trail.

Awesome man that sounds great, I just have Roanoke on the map because it was along the way, would rather stop in Charlottesville and explore the trail

[mrsleeve]

As a former MI resident, unless you have family there I would SKIP Detroit... Holland is nice as is most of the "big lakes" shore towns. It will add a day or more to your trip but Substitute Mackinac for detroit Then you can hit Travers city you will likely be a couple of weeks early for the cherry fest that is right after the 4th of july iirc. You can then run down the lake MI shore line and hit all the cool little towns and parks along the way, and you ought to get a kick out of sleeping bear dunes

[Ether-D]

It looks like you guys may be near the time of the Brodeo when you're in Asheville.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=319210

You should stop in. It's a damn good group of dudes and a bunch of fun roads to catch a ride on (Hint: Tail of the Dragon).