Hi, my name is Dave and I've been living a lie. I'm not really a "busnut".
In reviewing past threads it seems that a busnut is typically someone who is really into various buses and probably from some time back in their life. It also seems that they know a fair amount about the various makes and models and also engines etc. It seems a number even know quite a bit on trucking and those vehicles as well.
Truth be told, I knew absolutely nothing when I bought my bus and really had little interest, it was never on my radar. I bought my bus and it was a means to an end so to speak, a mode of transport that I liked over the S&S alternatives. I still know very little of the various makes and models though I've learned quite a bit. I know little of the various engines and transmissions and have yet to crack a valve cover on one though I did change my fluids etc. That being said, my interest has grown and now I know a little about some buses and even a little commercial history. I have to admit though that I'm just not a fanatic on buses and probably never will be though I do really enjoy my bus and many others here. I have noticed though that my head seems to turn automatically as if by radar whenever I see a conversion running down the road and even some in service coaches. I ride them and I think to myself what I'd to to it if I had a new Prevo with a nice powerful engine, 102" and maybe even 45'. I guess I'm happy with my 8 though.
There, I'm exposed. Banish me or scoff but I said it and I'm out of the closet. Let's have a parade!!
-Dave
FREEDOM!!!!!! ;D
Welcome Dave, LOL aren't we all just a little like Dave.
That was by far, the best post describing a bussnut as i have ever seen! Thank you!
Hey, the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.
For me, I think its the handcrafted nature that attracts me to things like airplanes and buses and cars like Ferrari, etc.. Yet a school bus is more or less hand crafted and I dont really spin in my chair when I see one. There was this kool '57 Chev School Bus conversion I was real excited over once though.....
I actually think I resisted joining a Bus forum for a long time simply because of the term "nut" attached to it. I didnt want to admit I was a "nut", nor even so much as mention to anyone I knew that I had joined a forum with the term "nut" associated with it. Showing any excitement over Buses makes their eyes roll enough without saying "nut" too. Ask yourself, does anyone in a car forum consider themselves car nuts? No no no, they are " Auto enthusiasts". Exotic car folk are a step up, referring to themselves as "Aficionados". Airplane and Train people are "Buffs". Violin people are "Collectors" (like those squeaky things are fine art or something).
I don't know what you call people who are into tea cups, but if you want to see someone spin their head around just bring a tea cup person into an antique store or flea market. You better leave your wallet home too, or they will empty it. Thats a whole different level of nuts, and we have three china cabinets worth to prove it. "Oh look, theres a 1957 Royal Albert Blue Rose demi cup, honey, we're missing that one". I suppose that Ive found half of them on my own means coming clean myself, eh? ::)
Like many who come out of the closet, you weren't born a busnut. However, after stumbling around aimlessly trying to find yourself, you experimented with bussing. You now know what you were missing in life and will never conceal it again. I am so proud of you to take that BIG step.
Mike
Quote from: Paladin on November 11, 2011, 08:52:05 PM
I know little of the various engines and transmissions and have yet to crack a valve cover on one though I did change my fluids etc.
-Dave
Dave: You should really consider changing the fluids on your bus as well, not just YOUR fluids.
;D
Great post, by the way.
that was an "allright" post. But i don't remember you posting any real embarassing questions like i did, like "I thought i'd test the new pump by jogging the engine with the key off and it started anyway and wouldn't shut off! why did that happen?" I could almost feel some of the more knowledgable folks like Tom C and Luvrbus slapping their foreheads wondering who would sell a fine vehicle to such a novice. :-[ :-[ ;D ;D
You, at least, had the opportunity to present your converting to busnutism in an honorable way, while i illustrated my ignorance to all. and not just the first time, i've done it often with some questions. i had a whole crowd at Jack's in Fl watching me install a block heater, rolling on the ground laughing. ::)
You sound just like quite a few of us, i think. You just knew how to lurk and learn better. ;D ;D ;D
Tom, is THAT what everyone was laughing at? I could have sworn I heard different!! :)
Quote from: Ace on November 12, 2011, 07:24:44 AM
Tom, is THAT what everyone was laughing at? I could have sworn I heard different!! :)
;D
(snip) For me, I think its the handcrafted nature that attracts me to things like airplanes and buses and cars like Ferrari, etc..
Think of us as the type of people that want to build their own Kit Car .... On a Grand scale, then add plumbing ;D
Brice
A bus is like a cacoon with plumbing ;D
Looking forward to being like the OP. Just need to find my bus first...
However, these boards have been great for my learning curve..
Quote from: babell2 on November 12, 2011, 09:34:50 AM
Think of us as the type of people that want to build their own Kit Car .... On a Grand scale, then add plumbing ;D
Brice
That is kind of the jist of it I think. A true land yacht. We even have galleys, and stations, and below decks. All we need is an anchor.
OKay, I've been thinking. Maybe I could be an honorary busnut by virtue of the labor I've put into my bus and the medical bills it cost me.
I've gotten to know the interior of my bus VERY well as I've worked on it. I know every inch of it from the floor supports to the ceiling.
As for the medical costs, I sliced my arm in 2008 while working in the bus which a few here know about and hopefully only a few :-[ and that surgery cost me $10,000 with no insurance.
After that, even though my back was already suffering, the bus work pretty much threw me over the edge and so this past May I had a back fusion which was ~$200,000 and counting though fortunately the insurance paid for most.
Still, I was out today working again......
Maybe that earns me a slot as an honorary busnut?
20 or 30 years when you look back on it reality will hit you in the face man this bus thing is not all it was supposed to be, a few words of wisdom Do Not Keep Records of the money spent lol
good luck
Quote from: Paladin on November 12, 2011, 05:41:11 PM
Still, I was out today working again......
Maybe that earns me a slot as an honorary busnut?
When we all sit around the General Store someday playin checkers, and everyone starts askin what everyone did, and we say we built a Greyhound Bus into an RV and drove it around a piece, the other old farts are going to look at us and think were nuts. When you say you did it without ever knowing anything about a Bus, boy, I wanna see their faces.
I admit that I too am not a busnut like some of the guys here. I don't look at a 1970s/80s GM or Eagle with nostalgia like a lot of the guys here. I look at most of them and think why do people like the looks better than a modern coach?
I bought my bus with the purpose of turning into an RV. I would have bought a motorhome if it suited my needs. My bus looks like crap right now, but it would look like new with a coat of paint. I think the average non-busnut wouldn't hardly be able to tell my bus from the latest MCIs if it had good paint on it.
Mike, you aren't alone at all. My greatest asset to our bus is my willingness to rely on the expertise of others. ;D At first I knew nothing, but now after nearly a year, I am proud to say that I have increased my knowledge to "almost nothing".
I think the most important thing for people like us is to make sure we don't inadvertently harm our buses in our ignorance. The good news is that knowledge and ability can be increased.
Marc
Quote from: Paladin on November 12, 2011, 05:41:11 PM(snip) Maybe that earns me a slot as an honorary busnut?
HONORARY???? It looks to me like you're a Bus Nut First Class already!
Personally I think he's just a nut for even thinking he's not a busnut!
;D BK ;D