Both of my front corner marker amber lenses are cracking and need to be replaced. Hoping to find some new ones. Mine have "Cats-Eye No. 87" on them.
I know that GM used the same or similar lights on a few different models, like some RTS buses and the 4106, but not all of them use interchangeable lenses.
Anyone know which other models use the same front corner marker lenses as the Buffalo buses? Knowing this will help my search chances.
Thanks.
Guy on Facebook showing having brand new ones.
Quote from: chessie4905 on June 12, 2019, 09:58:06 AM
Guy on Facebook showing having brand new ones.
Someone on BGM showed me that. He sent a note to the seller on my behalf - still no response.
I don't have FB, don't want FB, and even if I did network restrictions keep me from accessing it.
Would be nice to know what the full story is on these - I found a listing on eBay and contacted the guy. He's got Cats-Eye 87-L and 87-R aluminum housings listed, but they look like they are two different sizes which doesn't make sense.
Did you try Luke?
Quote from: chessie4905 on June 12, 2019, 03:43:22 PM
Did you try Luke?
He's always my first call. He only has the red/rear lenses, not the amber ones for the front.
They were used on so many models I'm hoping that there's a set out there. Just gotta find it.
http://busfixx.tripod.com/busservice/id8.html
Quote from: chessie4905 on June 12, 2019, 05:57:11 PM
http://busfixx.tripod.com/busservice/id8.html
Their phone number doesn't work. In the past I've tried calling them about other parts - they said they'd check but never got back to me. I'm guessing that they are having problems for some reason.
Quote from: richard5933 on June 12, 2019, 06:24:37 PM
Their phone number doesn't work. In the past I've tried calling them about other parts - they said they'd check but never got back to me. I'm guessing that they are having problems for some reason.
I had similar trouble with them a couple years ago. I requested prices on a bunch of stuff they had listed, but they never got back to me. Maybe they are out of it now. ???
Until I find replacement lenses, I'm wondering if anyone has tried doing things to reinforce old lenses?
What I'm thinking is using some type of clear & thin epoxy to coat the inside of the lens, hoping to seal any of the many fine cracks developing and to keep things from getting worse.
Thoughts?
When I had my 1957 MCI Courier 96, the front turn signal lenses were brittle and cracked from age and sand and gravel bombardment. I remember applying a 3M clear film over them. It worked well. You could not tell from a few feet away. Not ideal, but I never found replacement lenses.
JC
I wonder if the vintage auto peeps have a suitable product or procedure?
They are more stuck than we are for unobtanium plastic.
Only the most popular models get reproduction parts. The rest must be doing something successfully?
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
Jeff Willard reproduces glass lens in plastic for the 4501. An option if all else fails.
http://www.swscenics.com/Products/Marker-Lights (http://www.swscenics.com/Products/Marker-Lights)
Facebook is ok just don't post your life history there like some do,you use Google it's a lot worse than F/B for tracking your every move lol I Google nothing .As far as bus fix (bus service) somebody told me John the owner passed away last year,I have never been able to confirm if he did or not,John had a huge inventory of old bus parts when I was there
Quote from: luvrbus on June 13, 2019, 07:46:00 AM
Facebook is ok just don't post your life history there like some do,you use Google it's a lot worse than F/B for tracking your every move lol I Google nothing .As far as bus fix (bus service) somebody told me John the owner passed away last year,I have never been able to confirm if he did or not,John had a huge inventory of old bus parts when I was there
For me there are two reasons...
I have no desire to be on FB, and our network security rules prohibit it even if I did. I could get an external device to use FB, but like I said I don't want any part of it.
Quote from: richard5933 on June 13, 2019, 08:28:06 AM
For me there are two reasons...
I have no desire to be on FB, and our network security rules prohibit it even if I did. I could get an external device to use FB, but like I said I don't want any part of it.
That is your choice but there is a lot more better information on the F/B pages than on these board I can tell you
"Our network security rules"??? Are you posting from work?
Quote from: luvrbus on June 13, 2019, 07:46:00 AM
Facebook is ok just don't post your life history there like some do,you use Google it's a lot worse than F/B for tracking your every move lol I Google nothing .As far as bus fix (bus service) somebody told me John the owner passed away last year,I have never been able to confirm if he did or not,John had a huge inventory of old bus parts when I was there
There are multiple ways to reduce tracking by the big tech sites. Browsers have incognito mode that eliminates tracking cookies. Use another search engine than Google search. Do not log into Google account to reduce tracking. Numerous other strategies if you care.
Use Google to search how to not be tracked. lol
Quote from: chessie4905 on June 13, 2019, 08:52:47 AM
"Our network security rules"??? Are you posting from work?
Not sure how all this has anything to do with the thread or my finding the lenses for the marker lights.
I'm not really interested in getting into a lengthy conversation about the merits of FB, our network configuration, or of why I am or am not using FB.
I understand that not everyone will agree with the decision, but how about we get back to the topic at hand here, our buses and how to keep them running down the road as well as possible.
Quote from: richard5933 on June 13, 2019, 09:45:02 AM
Not sure how all this has anything to do with the thread or my finding the lenses for the marker lights.
I'm not really interested in getting into a lengthy conversation about the merits of FB, our network configuration, or of why I am or am not using FB.
I understand that not everyone will agree with the decision, but how about we get back to the topic at hand here, our buses and how to keep them running down the road as well as possible.
We do drift but you where told a guy on Face/Book Scott Williams ? has new ones he has a lot of GM parts
Quote from: luvrbus on June 13, 2019, 10:08:04 AM
We do drift but you where told a guy on Face/Book Scott Williams ? has new ones he has a lot of GM parts
The lead I got from the guy on BGM about the lenses on FB didn't pan out. Seems like the guy wants to keep the lenses for his bus.
There is a possibility that I've found two sets of lenses, but they are both for the same side of the bus. At least it's a start. If that works out I'm halfway there, and I might even have a duplicate to sell if anyone else needs. I'll know for sure later today hopefully if I've got them locked in.
Which side?
Quote from: chessie4905 on June 13, 2019, 12:07:59 PM
Which side?
If the ones I am trying to nail down work out, I'll be covered for the front-left and the rear-right.
I'll still need the front-right and left-rear.
Figured I might as well get a whole set - if two are failing the other two are not going to be far behind, and once moisture starts getting in there troubles will surely follow.
If it doesn't work out, I have a new upper left front.
Front right get eaten by tree branches, those are the tougher ones to locate.
Facebook is unmoderated and there's a lot of really stupid info on there amongst interesting bits.
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
Quote from: buswarrior on June 13, 2019, 02:13:12 PM
Front right get eaten by tree branches, those are the tougher ones to locate.
Facebook is unmoderated and there's a lot of really stupid info on there amongst interesting bits.
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
Same everywhere BW just like the boards put the waders on and wade through the BS
I still have a good (without a step ladder) on the upper right.Probably has the fine cracks that they get without climbing up.
Quote from: chessie4905 on June 13, 2019, 02:19:39 PM
I still have a good (without a step ladder) on the upper right.Probably has the fine cracks that they get without climbing up.
Is that one an 'extra' on a parts bus? If so, hold that thought for just a bit until I see what comes up in the coming weeks of searching.
Yes is on the parts coach. My conversion was Eagle capped by former owner and uses off the shelf clearance lamps.
Quote from: chessie4905 on June 13, 2019, 03:47:15 PM
Yes is on the parts coach. My conversion was Eagle capped by former owner and uses off the shelf clearance lamps.
I've exhausted my leads for now. I've secured NOS replacements for all but the amber front right corner. Initially I thought that I only had one lens with problems, but as I made my way around I realized that all four were going bad and letting moisture in.
So, I'm going to take you up on this so that I have something up there which has a hope of keeping things dry. I'll send a PM with my contact information.
Amazing how a lens can look so good but have so much damage behind the scenes. Glad I noticed all this before one just fell apart down the road.
Chessie4905 - Did you get the PM I sent?
Yes, let me see if I can sucessfully remove right side one and I can sell you both.
Quote from: chessie4905 on June 14, 2019, 04:32:13 PM
Yes, let me see if I can sucessfully remove right side one and I can sell you both.
Thanks. Since the front right is the last one I need that would be great. While you're pulling stuff, is the bezel on the front left still in good shape? A previous owner buggered mine up drilling holes in it to mount a temp sensor and a replacement would be a nice upgrade.
Ill see if it'll come off clean.
Quote from: chessie4905 on June 14, 2019, 06:19:29 PM
Ill see if it'll come off clean.
Any luck pulling the front-right lens and/or left front bezel? Hoping that the lens is still usable.
I'm waiting for some dry weather to attempt removal. May have to use a carbide burr to remove heads. Have done it before, it just takes some time.
Okay - makes sense. If your spring has been like ours I fully understand. Very wet and not particularly warm.
Guess I have been lucky, as so far I've been able to remove all of the lights using a #3 Phillips on the outer screws, sometimes with a wrench on the shaft of the screwdriver. The inner plates are easier.
Richard,Wonder if these could be duplicated on a 3D printer??
Quote from: bigred on June 20, 2019, 05:53:01 PM
Richard,Wonder if these could be duplicated on a 3D printer??
I've seen other lenses which were recreated with 3D printing, but to me the results were quite disappointing. The result is more opaque than translucent, and the finish would require quite a bit of polishing to look like an original.
I was going to post on this thread today actually, as I've been able to obtain some lenses for three of the four corners. The ones I found on eBay worked out. I do now have one extra right-rear and one extra front-left.
The front-right amber lens is the only one I'm still looking for. It's not the one I started out thinking I needed, but once I pulled them all it's the one that was the worst and leaking. Looked good on the outside but the inside is disintegrating and not watertight anymore. Chessie4905 has offered to check his parts bus to see what he's got, so maybe that will get me a little time to find a new one.
Chessie4905 - Got your PM about the lenses and stuff. Sounds good. I responded with my address. Please let me know your PayPal info via PM and I will send you the money today. Otherwise, I can send you a check.
Shipped this am priority mail.
Great. I'll be on the lookout for it.