Parts coach

OK, I >think< we got front brakes.  Rears, uh, no.  But I can get it home on the front ones. 
My toad supplier called, leaving town, got to get the toad NOW.  So I did.  This afternoon, got a battery in it and spun it - fired up nicely.  BRakes are marginal, but there's no magic in VW brakes atall.  Little thing only has 134K on it - for a Jetta Diesel, barely broken in.  Next week it will get a new timing belt, cos I have no idea when the ione on it was put on.  Alls I need now is a set of vinyl letters to put STONE TOAD on the back of it.
 
I stopped off to see Ted Petty and get him to agree to help drive the parts coach home tomorrow afternoon.  And had a look at his Avion - nice coach, that.  The Avion insides are a lot better materials than the GMC. 
 
--johnny

From: Johnny Bridges
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Parts coach
To: gmclist
Date: Friday, September 2, 2011, 3:04 PM

This afternoon, we go for brakes.  I noticed the other day when I did a cursory look at the master cylinder, one reservoir is pristine clean and the fluid looks good, the other is scurvy.  And the BRAKE light is lit.  And the pedal hits the floor.  PO 'saw a leak back there somewhere"./  We will try for some front brakes.. if I can get them to work, I can get it home.  It's parked nose down, gravit bleed is a viable option... particularly since I don;t have a pressure bleeder.

--johnny

--
"Sometimes I wonder what tomorrow's gonna bring when I think about my dirty life and times" --Warren Zevon
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> My toad supplier called, leaving town, got to get the toad NOW.  So I did.  This afternoon, got a battery in it and spun it - fired up nicely.  BRakes are marginal, but there's no magic in VW brakes atall.  Little thing only has 134K on it - for a Jetta Diesel, barely broken in.  Next week it will get a new timing belt, cos I have no idea when the ione on it was put on.  Alls I need now is a set of vinyl letters to put STONE TOAD on the back of it.
>  


Johnny - I tow a 2004 TDI Jetta on a dolly. We only have 89K on ours - only new car I've owned in my 63 yrs. Are you planning on towing 4 down or on a dolly? I've not been willing to spring for the baseplate but I do have a Blue Ox towbar. Good luck with the Jetta.
--
Stick (I used to be skinny) Miller
'78 Royale - For Sale
Americus, Georgia

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/sh...y.php?cat=5551
 
Johnny,

As far as the better materials on an Avion goes the cabinet frames are made a bit better but the doors are just Birch veneered
particle board. The lighter color gives the interior a brighter look. They are a lot lighter in weight and that's good too.

Avion was clever though, they cut the edges of the cabinet doors on and angle so you can't see the particle board!

Everybody remarks about the curved shower wall, however, IMHO the best feature is the pull out table that's in the top of the
dresser between the rear beds.

See page 2 of the brochure below:

http://www.bdub.net/publications/Avion2/avion-int-261.htm

The ski storage door in the side is kinda silly considering the GREAT traction you get with a GMC! Yes I know, last time I mentioned
that I got told that someone did it; they're braver than I am! Cutting the top of the section in the aisle and hinging it does make
for a nice spot to store stuff. I learned that one from John Richardson.

That ski storage area creates a platform that you have to get used too. Unlike other GMC's you step down from the cockpit on to the
platform and then three feet later there's another step down. You can see the end of the platform in front of the love seat in the
picture on page three of the above brochure.

That second step down sent Tom Hampton flying when we were working on Double Trouble at his shop. It was a dark day outside and
despite his large garage door being open there wasn't much light in the coach. He wound up in a heap on the floor just at the
entrance door! Fortunately nothing was broken and the only thing hurt was his pride!

Oh yeah, Helen likes the love seat but I reckon it is bloody useless!

Regards,
Rob M.

-----Original Message-----
From: Johnny Bridges

I stopped off to see Ted Petty and get him to agree to help drive the parts coach home tomorrow afternoon.  And had a look at his
Avion - nice coach, that.  The Avion insides are a lot better materials than the GMC. 
 
--johnny
 
Avions Rule
Sorry for those out there that do not have one but you know....mabe someday.
Johnny found out about the step up it caught him by suprise. He didnt fall though its a Avion thing. The new shoes (tires) makes the nugget look better too. I call it the nugget because its Gold on top and it cost me a fortune to bribe the wife to let me get it.
Ted
--
75 Avion-----

75 cosworth Vega Toad
 
Ted,

I agree those of us that have the good fortune to own an Avion must be humble and gracious to the poor unfortunates that don't. ;-)
VBG and so on!

Regards,
Rob M.

-----Original Message-----
From: Ted Petty

Avions Rule
Sorry for those out there that do not have one but you know....mabe someday.
Johnny found out about the step up it caught him by suprise. He didnt fall though its a Avion thing. The new shoes (tires) makes the
nugget look better too. I call it the nugget because its Gold on top and it cost me a fortune to bribe the wife to let me get it.
Ted
 
> I agree those of us that have the good fortune to own an Avion must be humble and gracious to the poor unfortunates that don't. ;)
> VBG and so on!


For anyone wanting to join the "Avion Club" I know where there is a 26 foot (Oregon) and a "rare" 23 foot (North Carolina). As far as I know, neither is a "rolling coach.... from the pictures, I know the 23 is pretty much a basket case. I haven't seen pictures but I suspect the 26 is also.

... and by now the owners might have had reality set in about the value of their respective coaches!

Please note: I am NOT a member of the Avion Club. (BFG)
--
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#1)'73 26' exPainted D. -- (#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
http://m000035.blogspot.com
 
Mike,

Being a former member of the Avion club, and now looking for a 23' GMC, I
would be interested in learning more about the 23' Avion.

Thanks,

Guy in Sacramento

-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces
[mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Mike Miller
Sent: Saturday, September 03, 2011 8:27 PM
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Parts coach

> I agree those of us that have the good fortune to own an Avion must be
humble and gracious to the poor unfortunates that don't. ;)
> VBG and so on!

For anyone wanting to join the "Avion Club" I know where there is a 26 foot
(Oregon) and a "rare" 23 foot (North Carolina). As far as I know, neither
is a "rolling coach.... from the pictures, I know the 23 is pretty much a
basket case. I haven't seen pictures but I suspect the 26 is also.

... and by now the owners might have had reality set in about the value of
their respective coaches!

Please note: I am NOT a member of the Avion Club. (BFG)
--
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#1)'73 26' exPainted D. -- (#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23'
Birchaven Side Bath
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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Mike,

You poor soul! ;-)

Regards,
Rob M.

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Miller

Please note: I am NOT a member of the Avion Club. (BFG)
--
Mike
 
> Being a former member of the Avion club, and now looking for a 23' GMC, I
> would be interested in learning more about the 23' Avion.


The contact information is in "Photo Details." Please let me know if the coach has been sold... or is no longer available.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=5604

Richard Sowers drove 100 miles, one way, to take these pictures for me: https://picasaweb.google.com/116133311780080773161/Avion23?feat=email

Note: While it DOES have 1978 Birchaven stripes and decals, it IS a 1975 23 foot Avion.
--
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#1)'73 26' exPainted D. -- (#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
http://m000035.blogspot.com
 
I'll give them a call tomorrow and let you know the current status.

Wow, an Avion exterior with a Birchaven exterior. Sounds like a good story!

Guy

To compel a man to subsidize with
his taxes the propagation of ideas which he
disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.
Thomas Jefferson

-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces
[mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Mike Miller
Sent: Saturday, September 03, 2011 8:54 PM
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Parts coach

> Being a former member of the Avion club, and now looking for a 23' GMC, I
> would be interested in learning more about the 23' Avion.

The contact information is in "Photo Details." Please let me know if the
coach has been sold... or is no longer available.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=5604

Richard Sowers drove 100 miles, one way, to take these pictures for me:
https://picasaweb.google.com/116133311780080773161/Avion23?feat=email

Note: While it DOES have 1978 Birchaven stripes and decals, it IS a 1975 23
foot Avion.
--
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#1)'73 26' exPainted D. -- (#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23'
Birchaven Side Bath
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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It will tow four down to save weight.  It's a manual trans, towing shouldn't bother it at all.  I was partial to the Type I turbodiesel Jettas, I wore two of them out.  The only problem with the Type II is about 300 pounds and the rarity of turbo engines in them.  I like the TDI engine, it benefits greatly from electronic management and extra displacement.  And, not being a Ricardo head design, it's somewhat more efficient.  But, as infrequently as this one will see service, slow and steady isn't going to be a problem.  I can think of about four shows a year where it needs to come along - when there are RV spots at the show site, I don't need it.  The 17th - 18th of this month in Chattanooga being an example.  Purina Farms next May I need it to travel to several motels during the show.  Starkville in Feb I may need it.  When I take Mama to the beach it will come in handy.
 
--johnny

From: Stick Miller
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Parts coach
To: gmclist
Date: Saturday, September 3, 2011, 9:09 PM

> My toad supplier called, leaving town, got to get the toad NOW.  So I did.  This afternoon, got a battery in it and spun it - fired up nicely.  BRakes are marginal, but there's no magic in VW brakes atall.  Little thing only has 134K on it - for a Jetta Diesel, barely broken in.  Next week it will get a new timing belt, cos I have no idea when the ione on it was put on.  Alls I need now is a set of vinyl letters to put STONE TOAD on the back of it.
>  

Johnny - I tow a 2004 TDI Jetta on a dolly. We only have 89K on ours - only new car I've owned in my 63 yrs. Are you planning on towing 4 down or on a dolly? I've not been willing to spring for the baseplate but I do have a Blue Ox towbar. Good luck with the Jetta.
--
Stick (I used to be skinny) Miller
'78 Royale - For Sale
Americus, Georgia

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/sh...y.php?cat=5551

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Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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So, yesterday mirning early, I woke up my bud the sky diver. "TYou wanna go get another one?" "I can't go as far as Florida this weekend""Not to worry, this one is in Gainesville, might take us an hour and a half tops."

So we went over and checked it over to the degree possible, and fired it up and headed home. Other than the SPIT-SPIT-SPIT from the bad gasket on the right bank, ran like a top. Shifts smoothly. Stops on maybe 28 dollars, and doesn't give any change at all. So, I topped out at maybe 35mph twice. Drove it through downtown Gainesville and home on back roads without incident. Final drive sings a bit under load. noises from the underneath seem to be at least steady. So - god forbid - I'm toyig with redoing it over the next coupleoif years. I'll stuff a battery in the back and see if the Onan runs. If it runs and makes power, I'll prolly go for it. It has one new air bag in the parts bin, I need one more. And a proportioning valve. and brake lines. And ceteras.

Anyone wants to buy it anywhere along the liner, price is set, and escalates as things are added. Currently runs, barely stops, everything I've tried works. New starter with forever warranty. New master cylinder with same. $2500.

--johnny

--
"Sometimes I wonder what tomorrow's gonna bring when I think about my dirty life and times" --Warren Zevon
 
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