In the spring of 1984, Susan had her motorcycle license and had tired of touring on the 1975 Yamaha RD 350 B or sitting on the back of a Yamaha Venture. So we traded the Venture in on a matched pair of black and gold Yamaha XZ550K2 Visions. We got some soft luggage and toured and rode all over New England. Yamaha only made them in 1982 & 1983. They were ahead of their time. Fore and aft water-cooled V twin, shaft drive with rear monoshock, air forks, all in all a great bike.
We saw them raced in a Battle of the Twins race at Loudon that year beating some 750's. But apparently they didn't sell sell even after the full fairing (with adjustable heat vents) that was added in 1983.
Katherin was born in 1988 and Susan stopped riding. I bought a 1973 Norton Commando in pieces. (That's another story.) We sold Susan's Vision.
In 1990, Grace was born and the Norton could be used (barely) so we sold the other Vision. Children are much more expensive than motorcycles.
The Vision became one that got away. (Along with a 1965 BMW R50 - but that's another story.)
Until 2003 then, there was the 1975 Yamaha RD 350 B and in a state of continuous improvement, the 1973 Norton 850 Commando. I was the only rider although Katherin and Grace were occasional passengers.
In 2003, we moved from New Hampshire to San Jose and took along a not running 1974 Honda CB550K0. Got that going. Kat got her motorcycle license and Grace got hers. We added a 1986 Honda CMX450 with a low seat for the girls - and then they moved away. Sold the Honda 550. Mostly rode the Norton. And spent 3 or 4 weeks in New England every summer with no motorcycle. And every now and then looked on Craig's list for the one that got away.
