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davelarue
Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2005
Posts: 400
Location: Tacoma, WA / Norway
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 Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 2:01 pm Post subject: Just out of curiosity: How are BD like to drive compared to |
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Hi,
I'm wondering if i should get a BD at some stage. Just wondering how they are like to drive compared to post '54 splits? I'v heard that performance was improved on post '54 splits....is that true?
Thanks,
Dave |
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EverettB 
Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 69832
Location: Phoenix Metro
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davelarue
Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2005
Posts: 400
Location: Tacoma, WA / Norway
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| Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 5:04 pm Post subject: |
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| EverettB wrote: |
They drive worse. The front shock travel is much shorter, which may be 1 cause.
The performance is the same for all 36hp Buses as far as I know. |
Interesting. I heard there is also something to do with the 'windtunnel'? Im not sure what that is though....
Thanks,
Dave |
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campingbox
Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2000
Posts: 10199
Location: Petaluma, CA
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| Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 7:20 pm Post subject: |
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| The stock brakes aren't as good as the later busses, even if they are new and working perfectly. |
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krusher
Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2002
Posts: 7652
Location: europe
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| Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 1:20 am Post subject: |
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Well as this was the first of the buses there were many updates to the post barndoor bus
The Bd as everett said has short front shocks, lever arm rear shocks.
less leaves in the front beam (so harsher spring rate), unequal length track rods and no steering damper
16" wheels and tyres
Single cylinder leading show front brakes with smaller drums.
I however have driven my bus along winding country lanes (bus is all stock) and a friend who was following me in a modern van was strugling to keep up on some corners.
I have not driven a stock post barndoor at he same speeds along similar roads but I would not expect a great advance in handling and drive.
The barndoor has a slightly lower drag coefficient due to the lack of front peek
Are the people who are telling you they drive better driving stock buses, or custom suspension.
I have found pretty much every bus I drive drives a little differant. |
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davelarue
Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2005
Posts: 400
Location: Tacoma, WA / Norway
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| Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 5:47 am Post subject: |
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| krusher wrote: |
Well as this was the first of the buses there were many updates to the post barndoor bus
The Bd as everett said has short front shocks, lever arm rear shocks.
less leaves in the front beam (so harsher spring rate), unequal length track rods and no steering damper
16" wheels and tyres
Single cylinder leading show front brakes with smaller drums.
I however have driven my bus along winding country lanes (bus is all stock) and a friend who was following me in a modern van was strugling to keep up on some corners.
I have not driven a stock post barndoor at he same speeds along similar roads but I would not expect a great advance in handling and drive.
The barndoor has a slightly lower drag coefficient due to the lack of front peek
Are the people who are telling you they drive better driving stock buses, or custom suspension.
I have found pretty much every bus I drive drives a little differant. |
All i'v heard is about the improvements in its wind tunnel.
What about modified bus suspension? Can you get similar driving capabilities as modern bus?
About the drag coefficient: What about bay window busses? They don't have a front peek (cap)?
Thanks. |
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krusher
Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2002
Posts: 7652
Location: europe
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| Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 10:29 am Post subject: |
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All 3 are bricks in wind tunnel terms so I think the differances are minimal in real world driving
You can change the suspension of a barndoor all you like same as any other bus, the possibilitys are endless.
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davelarue
Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2005
Posts: 400
Location: Tacoma, WA / Norway
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| Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 2:23 pm Post subject: |
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| krusher wrote: |
All 3 are bricks in wind tunnel terms so I think the differances are minimal in real world driving
You can change the suspension of a barndoor all you like same as any other bus, the possibilitys are endless.
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So in other words....barndoors are awsome.. |
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EverettB
Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 69832
Location: Phoenix Metro
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| Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 2:40 pm Post subject: |
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On the topic of rear shocks:
I drove my '55 Barndoor Kombi with regular rear shocks, no shocks, and finally the correct lever shocks. The regular rear shocks were attached the spring plates using hacked off mounts from Beetle torsion tubes. The Bus came like that, although one broke at one point and I made another.
I liked the way the lever shocks drove best, even though I would assume modern shocks are better overall.
I do not recommend no shocks as cornering was significantly affected.
My current '54 Truck has no rear shocks installed at all but I remember it being more noticeable in my '55 so there could have been other factors. My '54 has half the mileage for one thing.
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j.pickens
Samba Member
Joined: December 03, 2002
Posts: 9791
Location: Exit 7, New Jersey
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| Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 3:27 pm Post subject: |
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Well, the truck being much lower center of gravity might help the no-shocks handling.
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streetwagens
Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2005
Posts: 475
Location: Wales, GB
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| Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 7:52 am Post subject: |
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Sh!t but fun.... as long as you're not in a rush!!!
....does that make sense??  
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Stocknazi
Samba Member
Joined: June 18, 2004
Posts: 5150
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| Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:33 am Post subject: |
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who would be in a rush and drive any type of stock bus? if you are in a hurry and want smooth ride buy a Porsche.
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thebucket
Samba Stockbroker
Joined: April 06, 2004
Posts: 3734
Location: Houston Texas
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| Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 2:28 pm Post subject: Re: Just out of curiosity: How are BD like to drive compared |
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| davelarue wrote: |
Hi,
I'm wondering if i should get a BD at some stage. Just wondering how they are like to drive compared to post '54 splits? I'v heard that performance was improved on post '54 splits....is that true?
Thanks,
Dave |
I can't imagine someone would buy a BD based on how it drives
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Clark Kustoms
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