15th November 2009
Today with the help of FotEK's Tony Hammond I tackled 7681's ball joints. We decided to try packing them out with shims to see if this would improve the situation and lesson the movement and I'm glad to say it worked! There is now no movement of the track rod which has also improved the steering too- which on any VR is vague to say the least. Tony has also started making up new shackles for the springs and these will be fitted in the new year. This afternoon 7681 was moved to her winter storage location and parked up. She will shortly be joined by 7980 which should the free up the workshop space for DMS550 which can then move in for some long term bodywork.
2nd November 2009
7681 passed her MOT last month but has minor faults on her ball joints, prop shaft and springs. With help from the guys at
Friends of the East Kent the prop shaft has been done, and the springs are getting there. The track rod ends/ball joints are going to take a bit longer as I have to wait for the parts to come.
Carl Ireland has been a huge help and is highly recommended for all things Bristol VR. 7681 will now be stored off road until the parts come (which may be after Christmas). She's not due to go back on the road until May 2010. Over this winter period I'm hoping to tidy her up a bit, maybe replace the incorrect front upstairs windows and tidy the inside a little too. Also I plan to get some adverts made up for her inside and out.
9th September 2009
Following a conversation with Bernard Sealy, who is now the proud new owner of ex East Kent TFN980T(7980), a Bristol VR with very rare WILLOWBROOK bodywork, I am now helping him with the continued preservation of her. She's a bit tired from standing outside for a few months and also has received some nearside panel damage from a badly placed post at her home yard. Today Carl Underwood and myself took 7681 over to where 7980 lives and brought her back to Sandwich garage for work to start on her and to get her ready for an MOT. 7980 is now the ONLY Willowbrook bodied VR left with its roof on. Visit
Rob Sly's website for more information about the East Kent VR's.
CLICK HERE or on the image for more pictures.
30th August 2009.
24th August 2009
7681 will be at the FotEK Fowlmead Running Day on 31st August and hopefully in service too as she was at Herne Bay. She has been performing really well this year and I am looking to book her in soon for her usual mid October MOT. There are a few minor things to do first such as a small air leak but this shouldn't cause too much of a problem. Over the winter period she will again be laid up and given a much needed service (oil and filters change and a general lube) and maybe gain those opening front windows at last as well as some adverts. Her ECW body is solid as a rock, in fact having worked with MCW, Alexander, Optare bodies and owning a Park Royal bodied bus, I must saw ECW bodies are the best of the best. If your really unlucky the wooden inserts that the panels screw in to rot and that's it. Another ECW East Kent bus I was looking at recently which is missing several windows still seems solid, but more about that later, indeed there may be at least two more ECW buses joining my fleet withing the next 12 months!
28th June 2009
Just got back from the Preston Steam Rally after spending the whole weekend camped out 7681. Good fun. This is a fantastic event and would be nice to see more buses there next year- so if you own one and are reading this- bring it along. It's a fantastic day out or weekend with more of a feel of a village fete as everyone is really friendly.
CLICK HERE for pictures of this event.
28th May 2009
Well as you have probably read in the photo gallery, 7681 is all legal on the road again for this season. Back on the 24th we visited Manston's Spitfire Flypast
CLICK HERE for the pictures, and today I've let her have a run around her old stomping ground of Thanet. All the way around the island she was attracting admiring looks which was rather nice. Here's a picture of her heading back to Sandwich. Click on the picture for more pictures from the run out today.
April / May 2009
I'm intending to tax 7681 in May. Shame she doesn't get the free historic road tax as it would save £104 per year. Not a lot I know but it could be money spent elsewhere. Also this year I'm going to treat her to breakdown insurance, following a couple of breakdowns with FotEK's buses. If you have a preserved bus it's well worth the £80 as a tow from even a short distance away can be several hundred quid. It's also that time of year when I look at what events and show we will be attending. Hopefully the Preston Steam Fair near Wingham/Canterbury will be one. This is a 2 day event and I'm hoping to stay for both days, sleeping overnight on 7681. Who needs a caravan when you have a Bristol VR. I'm also hoping to attend Herne Bay Bus Rally and the FotEK running day. I will post more on these and issue dates soon.
February / March 2009
I'm hoping to continue with 7681's bodywork during the next few months as the roof still needs finishing off and the off side 'tween decks. However this is depending on work progressing on DMS550.
Winter 2008/9 SKL681X winter hibernation
As is normal practice for my vehicles 7681 was layed up over this winter period with just checks carried out every so often to make sure she was ok. She had new batteries bought for her just before the MOT last year and it is still a novelty to be able to start her on the button and not via a jump pack! Well worth the £150 they cost.
22nd October 2008 SKL681X passes MOT
On 22nd October 7681 passed her annual test at Hersden Test Centre near Canterbury in Kent. This is good news as it means she will be out and about again this year at various local shows. Also check out the gallery where you'll find pictures of 7681 coming back from test.