Hi I am glad to find this forum. I hope that someone will be able to tell me the brand of this sidecar. I want buy it and switch it back and forth between my Ultra Classic and my sons Sportster. Thanks
It is a Vetter Terraplane. it is heavy enough for your Ultra.
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars
Thanks,
Is it too heavy for the sportster?
Many have been mounted on Sportys. Saw one today mounted on a 800cc BMW.
Lonnie
Thanks
Yes this is a vetter sidecar, we have all of the NOS vetter mounts however Vetter was long gone by the time your two bikes were made. The Vetter used an odd by todays standards 3 point mount. We can supply you with a 4 point bolt on conversion for the sidecar. We can also supply you with mounts for your two bikes however chances are as you will have to realign the sidecar every time you switch it that you will deciede to leave it on one of the two bikes. Either bike will handle the sidecar just fine. As long as the bikes are EVO generation or newer we not only have the bike specific mounts but we also should you make either bike into a full time sidecar bike we offer triple tree's to lower the steering effort and for the Ultra we offer reverse for the transmission.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
jay@dmcsidecars.com
jaydmc - 4/2/2012 11:11 AM
Yes this is a vetter sidecar, we have all of the NOS vetter mounts however Vetter was long gone by the time your two bikes were made. The Vetter used an odd by todays standards 3 point mount. We can supply you with a 4 point bolt on conversion for the sidecar. We can also supply you with mounts for your two bikes however chances are as you will have to realign the sidecar every time you switch it that you will deciede to leave it on one of the two bikes. Either bike will handle the sidecar just fine. As long as the bikes are EVO generation or newer we not only have the bike specific mounts but we also should you make either bike into a full time sidecar bike we offer triple tree's to lower the steering effort and for the Ultra we offer reverse for the transmission.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
jay@dmcsidecars.com
I just acquired my first rig, a 1980 Goldwing with Vetter Terraplane sidecar, so it appear I need to speak with you. The rig still has the three point mounts though it appears the original adjust on the move doo hickey has been replaced with a standard tube, threaded rod, heim joints and lock nuts. Is a 4 point conversion available for the GL1100i (Interstate)? Should I convert to a 4 point attachment? It is set up as a dedicated tug, 'Unit' leading link fornt suspension, 15" rear wheel with car tire so there will not be any back and forth. Does DMC have other parts for the Terraplane? I see Mr. Vetter indicates the company had been sold and that he had no involvement with the sidecar,as produced. I understand 'Bell' was the last owner of 'Vetter' but I haven't looked into whether production of the Terraplane extended into the 'Bell' onwership years.
The 3 point mount works really well on the GL1100, If it were me I would replace the upper rear strut with one closer to what Vetter did so that you can adjust it on the fly. These parts have not been around for a long time. We do not make this item so if you want one you will have to have one made.
The last company to own the rights in the USA to this sidecar was Studebaker manifacturing in Washington State. They sold the rights to a company in China that has never done any thing with it.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
jay@dmcsidecars.com
I have a new body joint edge moulding for the Terraplane. Also have a Terraplane brake assembly with bracket and pedal.
Lonnie
Jay, a big thank you for the information. I don't see much in the way of sidecars around here but I will look into whether there is a nearby cultist capable of creating an adjustment device similar to the original.
Lonnie, I would be interested in the edge molding. Contact me with a price and details if you are looking to part with it. There is no brake installed on the sidecar so if it is compatible that could be of interest also. I will try to see if it appears the brake assembly has been removed or what's up. Anyone know if all Terraplanes were originally equipped with brakes?
The brake that Vetter ran was a very poor design. It had a non floating rotor with a non floating calipar. If you want a brake you would be much better off fabricating up a different set up then running the OEM parts. We just scraped hundreds of these brake pedals. We only however had the pedal not the master. On the GL1100 we normaly tie the brake onto the front brake master.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
The Terraplane brake was an optional accessory. They came with or without brakes. The brake was independent of the bike's brake system.
Lonnie
I sent you a PM.
Thank you folks for the additional information on the brake system. I will add fabrication of a new system to the 'to do' list.
Lonnie - Replied to PM
