A New Terraplane Owner from Arizona

desertrefugee

Grasshopper
Joined
Oct 13, 2016
Messages
11
Reaction score
4
Points
3
image.jpeg

image.jpeg

I absolutely could not pass this up. Deep down, I have always wanted to run a hack and admire many of the rigs out on the road. But, they are pretty uncommon (not counting the ubiquitous Ural). A design that has always caught my eye is the old Vetter Terraplane. I didn't realize it, but less than a thousand of them were ever produced! Anyway, I happened across a decent example here in Phoenix, owned by an octogenarian ready to let it go. He'd had it for years, but it unfortunately got kicked out of the garage relegated to his side yard. Luckily, it was covered on a Phoenix north-facing side of the building. Rough around the edges, but it should clean up nice. The paint is oxidized, but I believe will shine up decently. There are a few farkles that I am not keen on (lights and riveted birds), so I have work to do that will leave the holes behind meaning I could end up with new paint.

I have already ordered a replacement windscreen since the one on there now is badly cracked. The seat needs to be recovered and although the paint is oxidized it will cleanup and shine nicely until I decide what I'm gonna do with it.

It is hanging off a titled '78 GL1000, but the bike has early 1000 shelter and motor. I got the bike started - it had been sitting untouched for "a couple of years" he said. Could be 10 as far as I know, but it did run...sort of. Compression was between 110 and 130 on all four. Very encouraging. For now, the known "need" list is, belts, battery, carb freshening, left side cover. Three new tires are already installed and an extra carb rack was included. Did I mention the original tonneau cover is in perfect shape?

I am pretty stoked to have one of these in my possession. I bought it to hang off of my café 78 Goldwing, but I may end up keeping this rig intact after some serious spit and polish.
 
That's nice! Now all you need is a Windjammer on that GL1000. Hooking that Terraplane up to a Cafe Bike would look odd.
 
Thanks. I've actually seen a few photos of them on cafe tugs. If any sidecar can pull off that look, it's the Terraplane.

I don't think it would look this odd:

OddRig.jpg
 
Last edited:
You
That's nice! Now all you need is a Windjammer on that GL1000. Hooking that Terraplane up to a Cafe Bike would look odd.

There are a few that think early Goldwings were meant to be, and should remain naked. There is even a forum for people that have that affliction. Desertrefugee is a member there also.
 
You


There are a few that think early Goldwings were meant to be, and should remain naked. There is even a forum for people that have that affliction. Desertrefugee is a member there also.
Yes; all the GL1000's came naked. At first Buyers would ask Dealers to install Windjammers, Bags, and the Trunk before they took them home. Dealers soon realized almost everyone wanted a Fully Dressed Goldwing so they started dressing them up and displaying them on the sales floor ready to go. Almost everyone thought they came from the factory that way. Early GL1100's came naked as well. Later Honda purchased Touring gear from the company that had purchased Vetter's Fairing Business and Wixom. Before the end of production of GL1100's Honda started selling the GL1100's with their Honda-Line Fairings and Luggage. Starting with the GL1200 every one of them came fully loaded. No more naked Goldwings from the factory to this very day.
 
Not really. 84 was the last year that a Goldwing was offered as a naked and it was the only year it was offered as a 1200. This one is number 2923 and I bought it with 7100 miles on it. Now it has 18000 but I need to rebuild the motor all because of a blown head gasket.

Oops! I forgot the picture...

171-1394410616-bb8cd324d3e4994f665c6b8e7c56221a.jpg
 
Last edited:
Thanks. I've actually seen a few photos of them on cafe tugs. If any sidecar can pull off that look, it's the Terraplane.

I don't think it would look this odd:

View attachment 2302
That thing must be horrible to drive tugging that Terraplane. There are several BMW's running around town with sidecars that are fitted with leading link front suspensions specially designed for that job.

274286256_REssT-S.jpg
 
I'm a little late to the party, but welcome to VOG! That's a good looking rig you have and can't wait to see what you do with it!
 
I'm a little late to the party, but welcome to VOG! That's a good looking rig you have and can't wait to see what you do with it!

Thanks to all. I've spent some time on the rig - mostly evenings - but still have ways to go. The car polished up nicely and paint can wait. I'm still sorting the Goldwing. Timing belts and carburetors. Let me tell you, pulling that right timing cover was no picnic.

I've pulled the windscreen off the car and have the replacement. I just don't have the hardware I need yet - and there's a little cleanup to be done before the installation.

Getting there. It'll at least be rideable soon, and the fine tuning can come later. This thing has seen a lot of love. It's just been a while! lol
IMG_4389.JPG
IMG_4403.JPG
 
Oh, nice.
Normally, I regard sidecars as the work of the devil, but I'd make an exception for a Terraplane. Just as well they never made them for my side of the road, else I'd start looking for one.
 
Oh, nice.
Normally, I regard sidecars as the work of the devil, but I'd make an exception for a Terraplane. Just as well they never made them for my side of the road, else I'd start looking for one.
That was me, by the way - I forgot my login so had to open a new a/c as a temp measure. Back to normal service, now. :)
 
Back
Top