Craig Vetter’s route into motorcycle design included persistently pitching his ideas to manufacturers. At Daytona in 1969, he sought an opportunity to redesign a manufacturer’s motorcycle; Don Brown of BSA later called him. That collaboration led to the machine known as the Triumph X-75 Hurricane. Vetter entered the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999.
Development of the Windjammer during the winter of 1970–71 began with a practical problem. Vetter already made several fairings for different motorcycles, making mould maintenance and dealer stock difficult to manage. He wanted one design that could serve a wider range of machines. The design brief therefore extended to manufacturing and retailing.
The 1981 Streamliner project focused on fuel economy while retaining comfort and luggage space. Foot controls moved forward beside the front wheel, while the streamlined body allowed taller gearing. Together, these different projects suggest a consistent approach: a motorcycle’s shape can address a rider’s everyday needs as well as create a distinctive appearance.