Fixing The Brake Lines

So Rick figured out that the wheels locking up were because the brake lines were bad and needed replacing. Harper and I offered to help Rick fix them. What this really meant is Harper and I would drink beer and hand tools to Rick. Which then turned into drinking beer, grilling out, drinking beer and handing tools to Rick while drinking beer. After a couple of hours of using a grinder and a sawzall, Rick was able to successfully get them replaced. Harper, myself and H2 decided to see how the bus looked with us wearing helmets.

Here is a video of the grinder and sawzall to fix the brake lines.

Here is a link to the pictures from that day.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36517929@N05/sets/72157616433663568/

Todd

The First Day Working On The Short Bus

So now that we have the short bus we decided that we better start making use of our weekends. Little side note here, most of the team is not mechanically inclined. We did a little research earlier and discovered if the vehicle could seat more than 15 people we would need to get a CDL licence. That was not going to happen so we figured the next best thing would be to take seats out. Harper and Karl started removing the last 3 rows of seats. They came out but it did take a little negotiating with a hammer. Now it no longer seats 22, more like 11 uncomfortably. In the mean time I started to look at the lights. Thinking we need to have them going to get the short bus registered. I soon realized that they were not coming off so easy. Although, I was getting good at stripping the screw heads to the point of only a round screw driver working. Harper and Karl got the seats out and thought it would be good to hose down the inside and see if we could get the dirt, leaves, twigs and dog shit out. Finally before we wrapped up the night why not look at the horn. It's an important piece and we need to be able to attract more attention. Well the horn does work if you wire it directly to the battery to test. The wire, which I think was going to it, didn't seem to work. That was enough to call it a night.

Here is a link to a couple of pictures.

Todd

Team NADS Falls In Love With A Short Bus.

One week later we picked up our BABE Rally vehicle for 2009. We moved it to wash the windows before it hit the road and of course it wouldn't start again. We had to replace the "new" battery the guy put in, buy a windshield wiper and a headlight. Once we got the new battery in place it started right up and we tried to leave. Once again the front wheels locked up. We were able to bleed the brake lines to release enough pressure to get the wheels to turn. We were finally on our way home with our new purchase. We started down the road and blew the tire that lost the tread a week earlier. We pulled over to make sure there was no damage. All looked good so back on the road once again. A short while later Harper started to feel something vibrating. We pulled over a second time to find out what might be wrong. The guy must have taken the front tire off to work on it and never tightened the lug nuts. Good thing we brought a floor jack and some tools. We finally got back on the road and limped to The Barking Kudu to show off our new prized possession. Then next day when we tried to move it to Harper's house the tires were once again locked up. We were able to bleed the brake lines enough to get it moving again.

Here is the video of the first time the bus moved and all 6 tires turned.

Here is a link to pictures of us cleaning the bus up to bring it home.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36517929@N05/sets/72157616429998098/

Todd

Looking For A BABE Rally Vehicle

OK, we started this blog a little late so here is a quick catch up. In January we began looking for a BABE Rally vehicle. The rules state it cannot cost more than $500.00 when you purchase the vehicle. During the original search we began looking for a motor home, but there was also talk of trying to get an old ambulance or hearse. All of which would be fun. Then we found an old conversion van. It would be perfect for the 6 of us. It even had an electric bench seat in back that folded down. We figured the most hung over would get that. Unfortunately we couldn't get the price down to $500 even though it didn't run. Then we came across a miracle, a 1980 Blue Bird Short Bus. Perfect for 6 idiots! It was like gleaming sex in the window when we pulled up. It looked perfect, started, had dog shit inside, mold on the ceiling, the stop sign was inside and the front tires didn't turn. Although, the tires not turning didn't stop Harper from taking it for a test ride in the drive way. Yep, dragged it about 100 feet and back. When he first gave it gas the tread from one of the rear tires came off. Keep in mind the listing said it had "good tires". Who cares, we were like kids in Santa's workshop. We told the guy that the front wheels had to turn for us to buy it. Unfortunately, we forgot to take pictures with all the excitement.

Todd