Topic: Is Vic World a SOHC4 member? If not, he should be. Motorcyclist Retro Magazine

[MRieck]

+1 to that on all counts. It lost its way a bit when young Simon grew up, took th welly boot off his head and became editor but it's back on the tracks again now. John Robinson - a true genius if ever there was one. Mr Franklin is writing for Ride or T.W.O. magazine now I think....Pwalo of the Fens lives on!!!

Do you remember Gus Scott and Ronnie Smith? Sadly also RIP now. I have the Moriwaki VTR that Trevor tested in PB and Gus later rode in British Superbikes. Yes a true pillar of the biking world that mag was...

Ronnie Smith....I just edited my post and you answered my ?. Brilliant guys all in the same place at once. The best reading, and most hilarious, ever. Ronnie...RIP too. As I edited....the best Goldwing wheelie ever! Gus Scott.....scooped off the streets. A plumber in life or something. Wildman on a bike.

[lordmoonpie]

He he - Ronnie was such a top bloke. Forgot about that Goldwing wheelie it was wild!

I was once having a pee in a bar in the Isle of Man (well in the toliet actually) - wet race day so pubs are the next best thing to road racing. I was stood there minding my own business when this tiny little bloke with a blond spikey hair do staggers in, crashes into me and says "Fookin' ell, that's worse 'andling than me fookin' Fireblade".....yup, it was Ronnie 

[Raul CB750K1]

Vic World is making his living out of Sandcasts CB750. The more exclusive they are, the more business he would have.

I don't know his technical background. Maybe he doesn't have much. Or maybe he does. Maybe he just had the foresight to foresee CB750's would be coveted and invested in parts. Or maybe it was just luck.

If he was an active member of the forum it would be great. But the forum is also great without him. I understand that he rather spend his time browsing the web looking for elusive sandcast parts than sharing free advice with people he would never met.


Vic World has never done anything for me. Conversely, I have never done anything for him. Or that's what I think, maybe he lurks over here and haver learned something from my posts. But being him older than me and having I learned a lot from this forum, that theory is highly unlikely.


The equivalent to "performance bikes" in Spain had swiftly changed to "Streetfighter scene", and they promote high power bikes, reckless stunt driving, and young chicks on the bikes imitating the "Easyriders". Lots of carbon, NOS, custom paint, but almost all of it is just bolt-ons. Not my cup of tea -some chicks are -;D-

[cleveland]

What has he done for me?  Set the bar rather high and has given me work to admire.  I don't hang out with Benjie, but you better believe I respect the work he does.  Same goes for Vic.

"Not being to hard to assemble a bike" I have to disagree!  It's not like the guy is taking all NOS and making a bike.  He restores bikes, and yes he uses NOS where available.  Hell, who could blame the guy?  I would, and do at times.  If you read the article you will see the guy goes to great lengths to achieve the level of detail the he does.  Besides if it is that easy, why don't we all have bikes on display in Japan?

As for self promoting, all successful sales people are.  A lot of guys bash Carpy for being an "arrogant self promoting...." but he's still here doing his thing.  A lot of that is due to hard work, but don't overlook the self promoting advertising.  Every commercial you see is "look how great our company/product is."  It's marketing in it's rawest form.   

I have been corresponding with Vic since I read the article.  I even invited him over, but after reading the "Vic bashing" he didn't really show any interest in dropping by.  Here is a quote from his last email.

"Well, again, thanks very much for passing this along. Actually, I Did
read the posts on the forum, and there are of course several guys there
who seem to appreciate all the work that it takes, but unfortunately, as
well, it seems that there are a couple of uninformed (jealous?) guys on
there saying negative things about someone they don't even know!

To be truthful, I have (many) dozens of times since the first
Motorcyclist article came out, answered enthusiasts questions (to the
best of my ability!) regarding restorations, where to get parts,
etc...And there was no expectation on my part whatsoever for something
in return for the "advice". I simply did it out of wanting to help out
my fellow motorcyclist. So, when I read some of those posts, I honestly
am a bit saddened that (some) people need to stoop to that level."

The guy has a point.  Who wants to join a forum about bikes you enjoy working on, just argue with people you don't know. 

[750K2]

don't know the man but admire his work and his treasure trove of parts!    that said, it's just normal for people to develope different interests within the same hobby.  i've been involved with scuba diving for a number of years ranging from intro beach divers to world class explorers and while they really do tend to run in different circles they all share the love of the sport..just like here.  can't blame mr. world for having different interests.  one GREAT thing i've found about this site is the general lack of cat-spitting, name-calling, panties-in-a-knot posting that seems to infect other forums and tends to drive off participation.

[Ricky_Racer]

Okay, my Vic World story.. First off, let me say that I do envy Vic World.  He's young, attractive, well-off, lives in San Francisco and has, over a period of many focused years, constructed an absolutely breathtaking kit CR750. 

On the other hand, I don't care any more about restored Sandcasts than I do about coin-collecting.  My interest in "vintage" has to do with investigating the work of innovators like Rickman, Seeley, Rau, Egli, Eckert, JapAuto, etc., instead of "design by committee" bikes irrespective of any somewhat limited production numbers.

A couple years ago, in scrounging to feed my Vintage Aftermarket Parts Addiction, I ran across a modded CB750 with a hand-stamped engine number beginning CR750 000... I contacted Vic World and Mark McGrew.  Both returned my calls.  I'll never know whether it was to "help a fellow motorcyclist" or because my call might lead to their finding some rare parts. Irrespective, by telephone and email both gentlemen were helpful in my determining what parts were useful and which were not on this bike.  As it turned out, the owner was unrealistic (crazy?) in his $$$ expectations and the deal didn't make, but I did have a chance to interact with Vic and he was appropriately generous with his time.

Interestingly enough, it turned out that the NOS fiberglass on my Read-Titan CR750 Daytona was originally found in a warehouse by Vic, sold to a friend in Iowa who built the bike, who then sold the bike to me. Small world. So, although I've never met Vic, he has in a couple ways helped me.  It'd be great to visit with him some day, even if only to drool on his blue CR750.  I still plan to find a CR750 rear brake in a box of junk parts some day... Yeah, right!     

And yeah, Vic, it'd be nice if you dropped in here and participated occasionally. You have a lot to offer this rag-tag group.  RR

[lordmoonpie]

"Not being to hard to assemble a bike" I have to disagree!  It's not like the guy is taking all NOS and making a bike.  He restores bikes, and yes he uses NOS where available. 

I have been corresponding with Vic since I read the article.  I even invited him over, but after reading the "Vic bashing" he didn't really show any interest in dropping by.  Here is a quote from his last email.

"Well, again, thanks very much for passing this along. Actually, I Did
read the posts on the forum, and there are of course several guys there
who seem to appreciate all the work that it takes, but unfortunately, as
well, it seems that there are a couple of uninformed (jealous?) guys on
there saying negative things about someone they don't even know!

To be truthful, I have (many) dozens of times since the first
Motorcyclist article came out, answered enthusiasts questions (to the
best of my ability!) regarding restorations, where to get parts,
etc...And there was no expectation on my part whatsoever for something
in return for the "advice". I simply did it out of wanting to help out
my fellow motorcyclist. So, when I read some of those posts, I honestly
am a bit saddened that (some) people need to stoop to that level."

The guy has a point.  Who wants to join a forum about bike you enjoy working on, just argue with people you don't know. 

Very interesting response - where's the Vic bashing on this forum? I must have missed that thread. Vic does build bikes completely from his vast stash of NOS - there was an article published here in 2006 showing how to build a sandcast from NOS in a weekend. I've seen restoration comments from him in print but never any detail. There's more useful information in the Kortekaas web pages than any article I've read regarding Vic. Oh yes his builds are supremely impressive, but where's the content to help you and me do the same? He has an undoubted advantage in having those NOS reserves available and his convictionin storing/collecting them has to be admired but come on - building a CB750 from NOS parts is no difficult thing once you know one end of an engine from another.

Vics 970 CR is inspirational no doubt about it (except the blue paint), in fact Vic and Mark McGrew are the inspiration behind my own CR750 build at the level of engineering I've applied. In the early days I spoke to them both frequently about where to get stuff and what to do. Mark helped me source parts and gave me tips so I had to find solutions but was going the right direction. Sure he made a buck out of me but we were both happy and my finished CR will be partially a credit to Mark. Vic never gave any help so I stuck with Mark. Am I jealous of Vic - hell no! I choose where I go in life, jealousy has no part of that.

I wonder how old the motorcyclist article is if he's given dozens of responses since then. Most of the guys on this forum, the old timers, give dozens of pieces of advice per day.

I've got nothing against Vic, he clearly is an astute guy and has made his money in all sorts of diverse areas. Personally I have different values to him and that's cool - I like to put back into things that I get something out of. Some people prefer to do otherwise.  

I remember an old Boss of mine at work. I used to learn the latest things and keep the knowledge to myself so that everyone came to me for the tough stuff and my career moved on. At one end of year assessment he commented on how well I had done and at the end of the session as I was about to leave he said, "Do you know, real power comes from passing the knowledge on...", smiled and closed the door. Now tell me he's wrong....

[MRieck]

"Not being to hard to assemble a bike" I have to disagree!  It's not like the guy is taking all NOS and making a bike.  He restores bikes, and yes he uses NOS where available. 

I have been corresponding with Vic since I read the article.  I even invited him over, but after reading the "Vic bashing" he didn't really show any interest in dropping by.  Here is a quote from his last email.

"Well, again, thanks very much for passing this along. Actually, I Did
read the posts on the forum, and there are of course several guys there
who seem to appreciate all the work that it takes, but unfortunately, as
well, it seems that there are a couple of uninformed (jealous?) guys on
there saying negative things about someone they don't even know!

To be truthful, I have (many) dozens of times since the first
Motorcyclist article came out, answered enthusiasts questions (to the
best of my ability!) regarding restorations, where to get parts,
etc...And there was no expectation on my part whatsoever for something
in return for the "advice". I simply did it out of wanting to help out
my fellow motorcyclist. So, when I read some of those posts, I honestly
am a bit saddened that (some) people need to stoop to that level."

The guy has a point.  Who wants to join a forum about bike you enjoy working on, just argue with people you don't know. 

 Oh yes his builds are supremely impressive, but where's the content to help you and me do the same? He has an undoubted advantage in having those NOS reserves available and his convictionin storing/collecting them has to be admired but come on - building a CB750 from NOS parts is not difficult

I've got nothing against Vic, he clearly is an astute guy and has made his money in all sorts of diverse areas. Personally I have different values to him and that's cool - I like to put back into things that I get something out of. Some people prefer to do otherwise.  

I remember an old Boss of mine at work. I used to learn the latest things and keep the knowledge to myself so that everyone came to me for the tough stuff and my career moved on. At one end of year assessment he commented on how well I had done and at the end of the session as I was about to leave he said, "Do you know, real power comes from passing the knowledge on...", smiled and closed the door. Now tell me he's wrong....

  Ditto on all points. I don't know the man and if a came across as "bashing" I apologize. I have taken a bare frame and pulled all the parts off 1 or 2 other bikes and completely assembled it to OEM specs. As LMP said....it isn't to difficult. They do it at the factory everyday.  It can be time consuming.

[cleveland]

Perhaps it was a misunderstanding.   

The article I read discussed stripping down the frame, fixing welds, painting, rebuilding breaks, master cylinders, etc.  Sounds like the same stuff a lot of guys here do, so I invited him over.  We can't really expect him to contribute if no one invites him to do so.

The whole point of starting this tread was to bring attention to both the magazine and the idea that Vic would be a nice addition to the forum.  Nothing more, nothing less.

[Raul CB750K1]

Yeah, I don't see the bashing anywhere, unless me not agreeing with RickyRacer in finding Vic attractive can be considered bashing.

I really don't see the point for this discussion. He is a guy who lives from building sandcasts, and he is free to join the forum or not. In some way, everybody here are in the forum because we feel we take from it more than we put; otherwise we would be gone. I'm willing to bet that none of Vic World's sandcast buyers have been members of the forum. Simply because most of the members would understand in no time that with the price of a Sandcast they can have ten CB750's in running order. Otherwise, Vic World -or anybody in the business- would be around doing the promotion. World's bikes, Carpy's bikes, are targeted to the well-off guys with money to spend. Give them time and you will have them in Discovery Channel.


Building a complete bike with parts from the shelves is hard? Don't let the people at the Honda plant know that, or sure thing there will be no new bike for less than 15 grand. Sorry for the bashing Mr. World. Would you autograph my magazine?  

[lordmoonpie]

Yeah, I don't see the bashing anywhere, unless me not agreeing with RickyRacer in finding Vic attractive can be considered bashing.

LOL! A great CB750 builder he may be but (sorry Vic) if anyone thinks Vic's attractive they need to look at the picture in the attic...made me laugh!

[MRieck]

Yeah, I don't see the bashing anywhere, unless me not agreeing with RickyRacer in finding Vic attractive can be considered bashing.

LOL! A great CB750 builder he may be but (sorry Vic) if anyone thinks Vic's attractive they need to look at the picture in the attic...made me laugh!

I needed a laugh and I got one. Thanks Raul.

[MRieck]

Perhaps it was a misunderstanding.   

  We can't really expect him to contribute if no one invites him to do so.

You make a good point.

[754]

I am not seeing any reason for concern..

Less than 5 % of the forum contents is the sandcast models.



Besides that , you can share things on here you gained over decades of experience, and you may or may not get a good reception..

Take parts manufacturers, I only see 1 on here that posts often.. even offers us a good price on some stuff..

And what happens in return, people SNIVEL about previous prices, appearance of parts (that are internal & cant be seen ).

And so it goes, I can see why a lot of people that could help this forum... wont spend the time..

[Raul CB750K1]

If in order to have Vic World, Carpy's, Z1 enterprises -or anybody else- in the forum, we had to keep our opinions for ourselves, then what's the point of the forum? 99% of the forum members have no personal interest on the forum, besides the occasional sale of parts or services. If you have a serious business around old Hondas, you must be ready to accept that not everybody will find your parts or services good or cheap. If you are around and take the occasional bad opinion with "savoir faire", then you got my respect. If you rather stay away minding your own business, you have my respect too.

[DarkRider]

Hey cleveland think you could snag another copy of retro for me? If so i can pay you back on the 16th pm me with a total if you can.

[MRieck]

I am not seeing any reason for concern..

Less than 5 % of the forum contents is the sandcast models.



Besides that , you can share things on here you gained over decades of experience, and you may or may not get a good reception..

Take parts manufacturers, I only see 1 on here that posts often.. even offers us a good price on some stuff..

And what happens in return, people SNIVEL about previous prices, appearance of parts (that are internal & cant be seen ).

And so it goes, I can see why a lot of people that could help this forum... wont spend the time..

A lucid statement 754....good for you. Now....about those rods.....

[MRieck]

Hey cleveland think you could snag another copy of retro for me? If so i can pay you back on the 16th pm me with a total if you can.

I have one....do you want it?

[MRieck]

If in order to have Vic World, Carpy's, Z1 enterprises -or anybody else- in the forum, we had to keep our opinions for ourselves, then what's the point of the forum? 99% of the forum members have no personal interest on the forum, besides the occasional sale of parts or services. If you have a serious business around old Hondas, you must be ready to accept that not everybody will find your parts or services good or cheap. If you are around and take the occasional bad opinion with "savoir faire", then you got my respect. If you rather stay away minding your own business, you have my respect too.

Thanks Raul....that's the standard.

[DarkRider]

Hey cleveland think you could snag another copy of retro for me? If so i can pay you back on the 16th pm me with a total if you can.

I have one....do you want it?

Sure! pm me with what i would owe ya man

[kghost]

Guess we all have our issues.

Sandcase may be only 5% of the post count here...

At the same time only about 5% of the folks here pull motorcycles apart completely on a semi regular basis.