New member with terraplane

[helithumper]

Hey guys , new member here from canada

ive always wanted a sidecar and finally decided to get one. I got a well maintained terraplane and will soon be attaching it to a Suzuki bandit 1200.
I know I'm going to have a bunch of questions about setup but thank you for letting me join this wonderful group.

 

[Kynan C.]

Welcome to the forum! There are a few Terraplane enthusiasts on here. Use the search feature and you will find what ya need, if you dont find what you are looking for, please ask.

Click here for the Terraplane area

 

[TexasBulldogger]

Welcome to the site from Pennsylvania. I had started a log of serial numbers last year. Died out after I accounted for only a handful of s/n. Compiled a spreadsheet of all pictures I could find online.

What’s your number? How much do you know about the design? Ridden a hack before?

Couple of shops here in the states can help with conventional fixed mounting. Doubt you’ll find original Vetter brackets for your tug, but are easily fabricated.

Let’s see pics of sidecar brackets you have.

Check out USCA. Lots of sidecar nuts willing to help. National rally in Maine this June.

Regards, Rick J

 

[TexasBulldogger]

Here’s mine ‘83 Interstate. TP is #493. 7 years with me on two wheels and now another 5 with the car. Identical to rig I had new in ‘82 down in Texas.

 

[helithumper]

Hey Rick, I have s/n# 363 and have all the original mounting brackets, Just not sure how in going to mount it to a Suzuki bandit using the original hardware.
When it comes to sidecars I'm a complete newbie, I have a couple of friends who have one but nobody has a terraplane.
My first plan of action is to build a subframe for the bike and then figure out the best way to mount the sidecar. Either stick with a 3 point attachment or go to a 4 point. Any advice would be helpful.

Nice rig, the terraplane looks so nice mounted to a gl

Dave

 

[TexasBulldogger]

Howdy Dave

Less than 1,000 units made in early ’80s. You’re missing the instruction decal. Great for when you forget how to turn at 70 mph!

Won’t be any help with structure mounting on bike side. Vetter’s primary client was larger early ’80s touring bikes. Mine current TP came on a naked ’82 Wing. It was very plug and play except for sourcing new hardware from half dozen different vendors.

How’s your turnbuckle? Threads turn easy? Took mine back off last year and went to town on the threads with wire wheel and then light coating of never seize. It’s the best feature of 3 points vs fixed 4/5. Cross winds and crowns on road pushes rig off center. Dial-in lean on the fly.

I don’t see a brake pedal in your pics. My original had working separate car brake. Could operate all brakes like tractor. Sidecar only would make right hand turns a breeze. Rebuilt this current one after a year without. Have issue with brake riding up around the disc. Raising the car and throwing the bike to left. Not sure what is different or maybe 40 years ago it was acting up and I don’t remember. Did have a 25 year gap of riding. I’ve since removed pedal for more foot room on floorboard.

What part of the GWN are you from? Just retired from industrial glove sales with a Canadian mfg outside Toronto.

 

[helithumper]

Hey Rick

The turnbuckle works super smooth, how often are you really adjusting the lean angle while riding? All my buddy's sidecars are fixed so I have no experience with adjusting on the fly.
I guess I'll build a subframe for the bike and try to use the 3 point attachments.
I'm from Montreal so not to far from Toronto.

 

[TexasBulldogger]

Not doing the long distance Texas rides anymore. Endless hours on interstate with cross winds. Could dial in a neutral ride. Roads around Philly suburbs are short and not straight. So conditions change every 1/4 mile. It only takes a single grab sometimes two to adjust. I wouldn’t ride without.