5H PCD100 – KYUSHA SHOES

Meiju Saucer

Q Osborne — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 15:03:35 +0000

The Saucer was the first wheel marketed by Kyoto based Meiju Racing team, and it carried the name of their star driver Keiji Matsumoto, who was 1979 Japan F2 Champion and known across the country. The wheel was a simple solid dish design. Speed Star looked after the manufacturing. As is usually the case, the great appeal of the Saucer, is the details. In this case association with a once great race team and driver. Text on the flat centre cover reads, "Produced by Motor Sports Meiju Racing Driver Keiji Matsumoto. More Elegant and Swift... Saucer."

Work Emitz II

Q Osborne — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 14:05:27 +0000

Possibly Work's first forged wheel. The Emitz II was a slight evolution of the original Emitz, but still greatly different from the fine spoked Emitz that is well-known today.

Work Emitz (original)

Q Osborne — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 03:57:14 +0000

What is now, possibly the coolest fine spoke wheel ever, the Work Emitz was born this humble dish. The focus of the Emitz now might be style, but in 1984, the original plan was for a low drag wheel to improve performance through aerodynamics. Like the present day Emitz however, sizes are big. 16" was gigantic for the time. Colours available were white and grey.

Challenge Défi Mesh 757

Q Osborne — Sun, 12 Mar 2017 17:23:36 +0000

"Introducing the new mesh, a spirited computer vision design - La Mode Défi Mesh 757." Though they share the same roots, the Défi Mesh 757 is overshadowed by the Défi Fin whose aero trickery and exclusive style make for an ultra sought after wheel. With unique finishing options (two-tone black and black-polished centres) and Speed Stars beautiful electron locking centre caps, the Défi Mesh is still a high-end wheel. It is much more rare than the Défi Fin, but also hides well amongst many other mesh wheels.

Challenge Défi

Q Osborne — Sun, 12 Mar 2017 14:44:05 +0000

Designed by Challenge Co. Ltd., and built by Speed Star, the Défi Fin is an extravagant asymmetrical aero wheel. With 20 fins designed to mimic the aerodynamic effects of a jib sail, the Défi claims extreme brake cooling effect, pulling air outwards from under the car. "Challenge Racing Division features the experimental Racing Silhouette, presents the progressive aero dynamic Défi." Cataloged diameters are 14 through 16 inch, with the wider 15 inch versions getting fully reverse mounted shells. Sixteen was not available until post 1990. Fourteen inch was available in FF specific sizing only. Available colours were white, silver and pink chrome with a flat moon cap standard, and Speed Star's beautiful electron locking centre cap a premium option in variable colours. Combine aerodynamic performance with a clean crisp look, and the high-end features of a Speed Star wheel at the time and the result is one of the more sought after wheels of the eighties and nineties. Even well-worn sets can fetch close to 300,000円 in marketplaces.

Washi Forza

Q Osborne — Sat, 04 Mar 2017 04:01:18 +0000

”陰と陽” yin and yang. Contrary but connected forces in the form of a wheel. It's likely fitting for nineties wheel design. The manufacture is well established metal production company Washi Aluminum and the first company to produced forged aluminum wheels. The Forza however, seems to be of cast construction. Only one size existed, but black and white colours were available.

Speed Star F.5

Q Osborne — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 17:43:00 +0000

Probably the most common of the F series, but often mistaken for the Star Five. That's not something to be shocked about. The F.5 is to the Star Five, what the F.3 is to the Mk.3. The two wheels are extremely similar, with centre disks that appear to be identical except for the number of holes drilled in their perimeters for assembly bolts. The F.5 will use 8 bolts (14 inch) or 12 bolts (15 inch), where as the Star Five was only available in 14 inch diameters with 6 assembly bolts. Using slightly different Speed Star MK type shells, the Star Five was also available in sizes that the F.5 was not. Like the rest of the F series line up, available colours were silver, gold, orange, red and black.

Rays Engineering Super Volk

Q Osborne — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 03:40:42 +0000

Another example of Rays Engineering dominating the technical side of wheel building. The Super Volk may not have a look that appeals to all, but it was the first wheel, and one of very few to use a monocoque construction (I.E. hollow castings). It combined that with an asymmetrical aero design which pulled air outwards past the brakes when the car was in forward motion. Rays dubbed it, "Super Progressive Monocoque Aero Wheel". The wheel was cast with hollow spokes, improving strength and stiffness without a weight penalty. This was something you paid for in 円 though. MSRP for the wheel was greater than most other wheels: cast, modular forged or other. The wheel launched in 1984, but was altered slightly in 1985. Early wheels can be identified by:

Standard Rays Engineering hub pad with cut outs in between bolt holes
Blank centre cap
Available silver colour
Recesses/cut outs in the back of the four spokes
Conventional valve stem mounting on the rim section.

In 1985 the design was slightly revised, and the revision was carried through the remainder of production (1988?). Later wheels have...

Texted center cap, reading "Super Progressive Monocoque Aero Wheel - Super Volk - Rays Engineering - Artisan Spirit."
Centrally located valve stem, filling the tire through the hollow spoke.
Champagne Gold colour
Unique for Rays wheels, flat hub pad
Flat back faced spokes with texts reading, "Rays Engineering Artisan Spirit," "Aero Wheel," "Super Progressive," "Monocoque Super Volk."

All years of the wheel were available in Rays Ceramic White colour. With asymmetrical, aero design, and a monocoque casting, the wheel was a big hit, and various other brands with connections to Rays Engineering latched on to the design and re-branded it for their purposes. Arban Speed, Zion, K4 Stuff for example all sold the wheel with their names on it. Today the wheel is becoming increasingly rare and sought after. Even though it's appearance may be less than fashionable in the eyes of some, the design is without doubt, unique and innovative, winning Rays multiple awards at time of release.

Sebring Tradition & Innovation

Q Osborne — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 21:38:44 +0000

Produced by Rays Engineering for Euro/Japan Lubricants, the Sebring Tradition & Innovation in an ultra unique wheel that much like the Rays Super Volk, uses hollow castings. Turbine spoke blades are hollow, tracing from the wheel centre to the outer edge of the rim flange. With the tire at least partially obstructing the outer vent holes, this seems like a curious design. Unlike the Super Volk, the hollow spokes do not allow the valve stem to be placed in the wheel centre. The Tradition & Innovation uses a 90 degree valve stem more conventionally located on the back half of the shell section. With three different centre cap designs available, to alter the appearance of the wheel, intrigue is high. While some Sebring designs were re-branded Volk wheels, the Tradition & Innovation appears to be unique to the Sebring brand. Available colours are champagne gold and ceramic white.

Albino Racing

Q Osborne — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 03:41:46 +0000

An example of a simple dish design done well, and it's all in the details.

The Albino Racing (also commonly called Albino Racing Saucer) is a sought after wheel that is becoming increasingly rare. Debuting in 1984, colours were white with orange recalling or silver with nice two-tone black and red lettering reading Albino Racing in large letters centred on fine print that reads:

"This wheel invites you to the atmosphere of racing competition. Our life is just race. Start your engine. Aero Saucer ALBINO RACING supports braking system of the optimum temperature to secure maximum capacity."

The centre caps were especially unique, using a lightweight plastic MESH with fine holes drilled in them, and a text that reads, "The Fast Run-Running For Albino Racing - Weds Design Div."