Just a quick note to mention how much I enjoy your magazine. As a Canadian reader, I really appreciate the fact that your prices are the same across the border.
I must say you also have a great deal of Canadian content as well, which brings me to Tony Cording's 1959 Royal Enfield. I first met Tony at the 1983 Calgary winter motorcycle show and we had corresponded about a 1982 Yamaha Vision that I was having problems with. The issue was resolved with a set of 1983-model carburetors. I have since had many BMWs and other Yamahas but my favorite ride is a 1983 Vision with Euro gears and Krauser bags. I have been across Canada from Ontario to British Columbia eight times on this bike and have had no issues. I guess I can thank Tony for his help way back in his regional manager’s time as I’ve enjoyed these bikes since. Great article and thanks again for the Canadian content.
— Ken Stuart/via email
Ken,
What a cool Vision! How wild that you sent this in just as our On the Radar column this issue features the 1982-1983 Yamaha Vision. — Ed.
Motorcycle Classics
is America's premier magazine for collectors and enthusiasts, dreamers and restorers, newcomers and life long motorheads who love the sound and the beauty of classic bikes. Every issue delivers exciting and evocative articles and photographs of the most brilliant, unusual and popular motorcycles ever made!
I road my first Vision in 1983 just out of high school. A friend had one that he wanted to sell and let me take it for a few days. I was sold. I would have bought it but was talked out of it by a mechanic who spotted a crack in the case. 9 years later, newly married, I saw one for sale in the back of a Ducati dealership. The owner didn't know much about it and I walked away with it for a very small fee. To call it temperamental would be kind, but when it was running it was a hoot. Two of my friend soon bought older visions as well. The 1983 carburetor fixes helped but the weak stator and oil seals that failed and ruined starter motors were always an issue. One of those friend took his out to a ranch and turned it into some sort of bastard form of a scrambler and did various other unspeakable thing it the poor thing before parking it in a barn for about 15 years. He eventually gave it to me where it has been given better housing but no real attention yet. I suspect it is too far gone to be returned to factory form, but I often stare at it and think about what I might do with that very handsome engine. The "Riders of Vision" website and forum still has active members and a wealth of technical wisdom, both recorded and living. For the serious there is even a set of three running bikes for sale from a member that is just aging out of being able to ride anymore.