Friday 3rd September 2010

Prior to moving the bus to Woods Garage in Aylesham attempts were made to solve the problem of a spongy clutch.  A spongy clutch is no fun at all in such a heavy, manual beast.  A new master cylinder and pipe work was installed, but by the late afternoon the clutch was no better, in fact it was worse!  The fluid was frothy indicating stubborn air in the system and we will now have to find a slave cylinder to go with the new master.  Nevertheless the bus was driven carefully to Aylesham with the minimum of gear changes (i.e. slowly!).

Woods have been engaged to undertake the next major step to getting the bus in a fit state for service.  The photos show the rear of the underside.  The large rusty looking beam that sits on the chassis and spans the width of the bus bears the weight of the body.  It is rotten and will be removed and a new beam fabricated and installed.  Following this major surgery the whole chassis will be checked, cleaned and painted silver, a job that Woods have a good reputation for.  Hopefully this whole process will be well documented with photos so please check back for updates.