Big love to that notification squad!! And thanks so much to the kind folks who let me wander around their factory for a day 😂 Any car lovers? chime in in the comments below either way!! And make sure to check out the new Tokyo Lens Explore channel for Long-form content and livestreams!!
This exercise morning routine should be everywhere! It's such a genius idea! Also, who thought, that something like just a rim production process may be that interesting 😯
An interesting look at something, like you noted, we don't really think about a lot, even if we think about cars all the time. The shot of the press rising over the wheel and the flames at 3:38 was very cool. Thanks as always for providing us with an insight we might not get otherwise.
Looks like they put their absolute lightest on, that much less unsprung weight should be noticeable. Good to see all the checks, wheel failures don’t end well.
What you felt in regards to acceleration is, in fact, totally real - Lighter wheels have an effect on what's called "unsprung weight" - which is significant and decreases rolling resistance greatly. This is why you felt a much more linear acceleration. Not to mention those wheels are probably balanced to perfection.
It was a little "cheap" on BBS' end, because putting light rims on any car will improve most of the performance feedback to the average driver. Was actually a little surprised Norm was concerned, but I unsprung weight discussions are more of the Race-type tuning segment of the industry. Especially against stock wheels, the car would feel much more responsive.
@@timothyer2447 Depending on when it was shot and potential for snow (it was really cold this Winter in Japan), might have actually been the appropriate choice. Also, on cold roads, winter tires can have more grip, in some contexts.
@@falkoo4052 It doesn't look particularly cold, Norm is wearing a really thin shirt with his sleeves rolled up. Which makes this all the more a mystery
@@timothyer2447 Or it was their Press Demonstration "kit" and they hadn't switched the tires to Summer yet because they don't do it that often. Or they found the feel difference was higher with winters. It is odd, but can see several reasons for it.
Japanese factory worker: “we all try to put our pride and priority in marking a quality item”. Rest of the world: “eee, it’s fine, no one will notice anyway”. 🤣
This was fascinating! The average person never thinks about how the wheels on their car come into being. I love the fact that people that work in a factory will talk about how much they love the process and the beauty of the final product. 5:10 Norm is skeptical about whether or not he'll notice the difference in wheels, but he's "willing to give it a try"...in a BRAND NEW MINI CROSSOVER! Gee, what a hardship! ;-) Murikami-san has a point. Unsprung weight is a huge deal with handling. When cars switched over from heavy spoke wheels to lighter solid wheels in the 30's there was an immediate improvement in performance and handling. Yes, spoke wheels WERE heavier! I really enjoyed this video, but it was too short! When you're doing the videos, I want hours, not minutes. :-)
Company - "W'd like to work with you. It involves car w---" Norm - "Yes". Honestly, watching that slab of iron being pressed into shape really is satisfying. Thanks for another amazing video ^_^
Honestly, this isn't a topic I would have actively sought out myself, but I thought this video was intetesting! I almost got mad at you when you started driving with no seat belt so was happy for the pause for "safety". :)
This was a great way to show the process of such a highly respected wheel brand. This must have been a dream to film! Thanks for sharing this with us TL, this was awesome! From one Film/Car guy to another.
Super cool to see you getting behind the scenes with BBS! I deal with a lot of aftermarket manufacturing and car stuff and so I'm always fascinated seeing a new factory, especially one as important as BBS has been. The difference in feel: Weight loss and momentum. The engine doesn't have to spend as much energy getting the wheels spinning, so more of that energy goes into moving the car forward (improved acceleration). Meanwhile, less weight means less momentum, so it's easier for the wheels to change direction, which is directly tied to improved steering as they're such an integral part of it.
I always try to buy made-in-Japan products because of their dedication and perfection. Unfortunately, so many imitations from China and Korea, which are cheap but low quality.
I can visualize that call: "we want you to tour our car fac-" and you going "I'm in!" (I'm not a car girl - I don't even know how to drive - but I sent this video to my father (very much a car father, he owned a car shop back in the day) and he absolutely loved it.)
unfortunatelly had to file for insolvency. But hopefully in good new hands with KW Suspension as a new owner now. Two of the best brands in the car world.
I'd love to see more factory tours like this in Japan. I know China does a ton of manufacturing for them just like they do for America, so it brings me a lot of joy seeing industries still continue even in a country that is more focused on culture due to their lack of natural resources and it is always a joy to see their attention to details.
I know how he feels about making things like that! I’ve been at the factory for a while. Not big parts like wheels though. It was really fun making things which you might buy and use and it becomes a part of your life. . Some of you might use it somewhere right now… That was really fun to watch😊Thanks🙌
Not deeply involved/interested in all things car, but love seeing how things are made and enjoy quality performance when driving. I can hear my '02 WRX begging for a set. Thanks for this dive into the factory and Japanese craftsmanship.
I'm not a car person at all, but those rims were beautiful!!! Thank you for taking us around, I'm glad you had a great time and a memorable experience. I'm serious, your channels make me want to live a fuller, better, more adventurous life!!! ^_^ Thank you Norm!!
Nice video, always good to see how things are made and the pride that people have in their work which allows them to pay attention to detail which keeps the quality up. I remember on one of my visits to Japan visiting a Mazda factory near Hiroshima where we could see how cars were being made via the production line. That was very interesting.
@@TokyoLens both Mazda and Toyota have museums and tours (in Hiroshima and Nagoya respectively), although both are closed currently. I dropped links in the Patreon discord.
I have almost no interest in cars or car parts, but the way you capture the people, the company and your own admiration and enjoyment is nothing short of amazing.
ngl, this video caught me by surprise lol. You usually document the nature side of Japan, so seeing you document JDM car stuff got me exited 😂 who knows, maybe "Work Wheels" next? I mean, they in japan 😂
It's good you were able to feel the difference even with mild granny driving (from what you showed). From the way Murakami-san was speaking, it really seemed like he was expecting you to really test the limits and drive like a bat out of hell. Especially considering it's a mini cooper they put you in, which is fairly well known for good balance and even their drifting capabilities. Light weight rims can make a huge difference in performance due to Newton's first law. So reducing the weight not only reduces the overall weight of the vehicle, but also reduces the rotational mass of the wheel, making it easier to rotate or slow down/stop. The forging process doesn't play a role in this nearly as much as the difference between steel and aluminum materials, but the forging process allows for greater strength, which in turn allows for further reduction of material (and thus weight) while keeping the same strength as a more bulkier and heavier cast part. Cast parts have an advantage of being simpler and easier to get more complex shapes, but if going for efficiency and performance: Cast is typically the way to go. There is one caveat to the swap in materials though in that rally racing typically needs the higher durability of steel or other stronger material rims due to the intense terrain and abuse they're put through that typical road driving/racing rarely experiences. A while back I replaced the drive shaft in my '83 Toyota Celica. The stock setup is a two piece drive shaft with non-replacable u-joints and a center bearing that has the tendency to wear out after 30 or so years. Replacing it with a single piece shaft not only reduced the weight/rotational mass even despite it still being steel rather than aluminum or carbon fiber, but it also increased the efficiency from removing the center bearing and two additional sets of u-joints. Plus the u-joints are now serviceable/replaceable. It had a big effect on how the vehicle performed probably similar to what you experienced with the wheels. Plus it reduced driving vibrations. The granny driving comment is only meant as a mild tease. Not actually serious because safe driving is important, too. :P
Yasss... so many of the Japan vlogger folks I like on YT are not car people... most of the actual car channels in Japan made by non-born and raised Japanese people are annoying as hell other than Alexi. So im so glad to see a well made vid about a part of Japanese car culture.
I work for a Japan (Over seas however) based company and was able to tour some factories when in Japan (Pre COVID) and the factories are refreshing to visit. The overall workforce mentality, and cleanliness of the factories is great. So your observations are spot on. Also, your videos are great to watch. Thanks.
Always love these kind of tours and visits. Some things you know from what you seen or experienced here wever people live (for me Sweden) and then seeing the same thing but in a typical Japanese way is so much fun. Idea that popped up in my tiny brain, since you Norm used to be a big drifting nerd (probably still are) wouldn't it be awesome to see the whole transformation from a normal car in to a kick ass drifter monster. Get some well known or expert place to give you the whole tour and also to follow a specific ride. I know it would take a longer while to shoot like this but it could make for some fun stuff.
Thank you for this great vid! :-) I ran a set of Rays Engineering Volk Racing ce28n on my Euro Civic Type R for 5 years, and while I dont have the car anymore I still have the wheels. Shaved of 32 KG of unsprung weight, and felt epic :-)
One that would be interesting to see, but unsure if they would allow a tour like this is Miroku. Making things for a long time, but not really that well known as a Japanese product and company. Mostly because 99.9% their product is sold out of Japan under an American name. I do like my Japanese products though. Zojirushi's pressure and induction rice cooker, Hario V60, and Balmuda toaster oven (though I'm still not quite convinced that one was worth the money spent for the end result). Edit: I just realized Yamaha. That is totally up your alley to try and see Japanese made Yamaha products being made. So many things too, you ever been to the Tokyo Yamaha HQ store?
Cool video! BBS is definitely one of the best wheel manufacturers out there. Though I'd like to point out that "rims" are just one of three components that make up a wheel. Unfortunately "rims" have been rendered a synecdoche in recent years due to...ironically various parts of car culture is my guess. I suppose it just sounds cooler to say than "wheels". Also, I can't say this test is very scientific, because not only are the wheels lighter (less unsprung weight), the TIRE manufacturer is also different, which is probably the most dramatic ride-feel change you can make in a car! It went from Pirelli All-season P7 Cinturato tires to Michelin something-or-others. Maybe they more early traction / better-suited operating temperature compound than the Pirelli P7's, also contributing to the "lightness" in acceleration. Just a thought!
Woah didn't know BBS had a factory in Japan lol. Work Wheels next maybe? That would be sick! Anyway great vid Norm! Wasn't expecting to see you upload about BBS but really thanks again now we finally know how this legendary wheel brand makes their wheels in Japan.
Well, I work in a factory building Truck Power Shift in Japan, it is a repetitive and tired job. And that Factory looks clean, where I work is dirty and smelly
I worked in a Japanese factory in Hungary once, for about a year and a half, a different part of the automotive industry. Seeing a Japanese factory in Japan, the similarities due to the same culture are very interesting. I do remember the Japanese doing a minute or two exercise at the start, even if we didn't do them. And then you got into a Mini, for which I built the backrest of the front seats for another year and a half in the UK. 😂 We called the one you were sitting in "UKL punch black", UKL is the car's current platform, it's a black sport seat, with small holes ("punch") on the top part for ventilation and style. I'll be damned.
i know lot of roadheads would like this video to see how the rims they gonna buy is made as a mechanic makes me cry when i see after market rims/lugnut, its jus more work and hassel on my part
Hey Norm this is great to watch. I am currently writing my master thesis on the Japanese manufacturing systems based on Toyota. What Americans would call LEAN. It's interesting to watch your video on the company and see how they have all the terms applied there like Muri, Muda and Mura. You also see how they use Kanban and the five S's. One perspective I want to see one day, though I know this was based on an invitation, is the downside to the Japanese Manufacturing System. It has been criticized for relying too much on Tatemae and that often leads to less creativity and enthusiasm from the employees. Non the less, a great video and great camera work! Have a nice day :)
Despite not knowing much about cars, I really enjoyed this! And now at least I know a little bit more. :) Documentary style 'how things are made' tv shows are always pretty interesting and this episode didn't disappoint! 🌸
basically to me...changing rims changes pick-up- if the we are using lighter wheels, even a 0.5kg per rim makes a very huge difference. Road feel, which transmits to handling,if the width ,stiffness and size of rim changed. The rest are type of tires...
Man I've wanted to ship and slap BBS wheels on my Rav4 for a few years now. What an awesome experience to be able to be in that space. Japanese products are definitely built different!
I didn't know BBS had a factory there! Send black meshies for my Volvo! :) (Also the 'resistance' you are talking about is called 'Unsprung weight' hich in the case of rims means less moment of inertia to turn the rims. Lightness is good that way.)
To think that there is workers so INVESTED in something as simple as wheels, and not only that, their wheels are *different* in a way you can´t simply say why. It's a magnificient feeling. This is why I subconsciously pick BBS wheels everytime I play need for speed (even if they are just cosmetic there, they still make me feel faster and obviously cooler 😂)
Norm, you are the Veritasium of Japanese TH-cam Content. And I mean this as a compliment, please take it as such. I view Veritasium as one of the best science content creators, and I view your work as some of the very best Japanese content on TH-cam.
Such a cool video about something I truly knew next to nothing about. Average people like me never really think much about how things are made, especially things so ubiquitous as wheels, but a whole lot of effort actually goes into making them that we had no idea about.
The BBS rims are slick~ I was also surprised to see you had forgotten your seatbelt the first time round. That's interesting to know rims have such a huge impact on acceleration.
I'm so glad you filmed this video as I used to work in such an environment many years in Japan. Due to confidential production recipe, it's not easy to get permission for filming inside factory but you beautifully filmed the typical Japanese mid-small factory. Personally one of the beauties in Japanese manufacturing is cleanliness. As you can see at 3:21, there is no rubbish on the floor, tidied up around machines and beautifully put wheels on the pallet. I love this organizing! By the way, I'm wondering what motivates them to keep this level of cleanliness. I don't think they are just asked to do by their boss.
The wheels being lighter give them less inertia which makes them easier to start spinning, easier to stop spinning and gives them 'faster' suspension response after a bump as the suspension isn't having to move such a heavy wheel. In all, getting wheels like BBS or any other performance brand will in general make the car feel more responsive in most aspects, but also bbs isn't just about feel it's about look for so many car people. This is also why buying replica wheels is never a good idea, they don't give you this level of quality and safety that real performance wheel brands do offer.
This was very intriguing in a good way. Seeing how the wheels and rims are made and how they use a process to where there’s less chance of defects and such, that’s pretty cool. Also, to see how everyone from factory floor to office gets together in the morning for the exercises was interesting
Did not expect this but am certainly glad you got the chance to share your experience of this. I have friends who worked in the automotive industry here but not this area of it so was quite interesting to see.
Damn~!! Lucky bugger~!! I would love to be able to be there! I love BBS rims~~ apart from Enkei & Volks, BBS are like one of my faves~~ nice work getting in there and showing us around!! Love their passion for their work and craft. Thanks a bunch~!! Keep it up~!!
Big love to that notification squad!! And thanks so much to the kind folks who let me wander around their factory for a day 😂
Any car lovers? chime in in the comments below either way!!
And make sure to check out the new Tokyo Lens Explore channel for Long-form content and livestreams!!
What an interesting job! The rims were seriously nice!
You should do more factory tour videos. Love this one!
Married to a car lover so I know a bit by default. Hubby’s first love is his R100 😉
Maybe the acceleration, feels like the car is electric?
Man those BBS LM's are so nice!
This exercise morning routine should be everywhere! It's such a genius idea! Also, who thought, that something like just a rim production process may be that interesting 😯
An interesting look at something, like you noted, we don't really think about a lot, even if we think about cars all the time. The shot of the press rising over the wheel and the flames at 3:38 was very cool. Thanks as always for providing us with an insight we might not get otherwise.
Looking forward to more. Tokyo Lens is now gonna have it's documentary series. Hahaha. Awesome
Looks like they put their absolute lightest on, that much less unsprung weight should be noticeable. Good to see all the checks, wheel failures don’t end well.
Lol I’d say like 50% of the factory was just checks lol
@@TokyoLens did they mention how many tonnes the forging presses where? #engineeringgeek
seems each one was different!
@@TokyoLens I looked it up, the fancy new one is 12000 ton
What you felt in regards to acceleration is, in fact, totally real - Lighter wheels have an effect on what's called "unsprung weight" - which is significant and decreases rolling resistance greatly. This is why you felt a much more linear acceleration. Not to mention those wheels are probably balanced to perfection.
It was a little "cheap" on BBS' end, because putting light rims on any car will improve most of the performance feedback to the average driver. Was actually a little surprised Norm was concerned, but I unsprung weight discussions are more of the Race-type tuning segment of the industry. Especially against stock wheels, the car would feel much more responsive.
What's also interesting is that they put snow tires on... why? Would've thought they'd want to put PS4S on for maximum grip lol
@@timothyer2447 Depending on when it was shot and potential for snow (it was really cold this Winter in Japan), might have actually been the appropriate choice. Also, on cold roads, winter tires can have more grip, in some contexts.
@@falkoo4052 It doesn't look particularly cold, Norm is wearing a really thin shirt with his sleeves rolled up. Which makes this all the more a mystery
@@timothyer2447 Or it was their Press Demonstration "kit" and they hadn't switched the tires to Summer yet because they don't do it that often. Or they found the feel difference was higher with winters. It is odd, but can see several reasons for it.
Japanese factory worker: “we all try to put our pride and priority in marking a quality item”. Rest of the world: “eee, it’s fine, no one will notice anyway”. 🤣
it really does feel that way most of the time
@@thany3 that is true, their products are also high quality but the approach of Japanese workers is amazing.
Japan manufacturing... putting the "perfect" in perfection. Good to see.
This was fascinating! The average person never thinks about how the wheels on their car come into being.
I love the fact that people that work in a factory will talk about how much they love the process and the beauty of the final product.
5:10 Norm is skeptical about whether or not he'll notice the difference in wheels, but he's "willing to give it a try"...in a BRAND NEW MINI CROSSOVER! Gee, what a hardship! ;-)
Murikami-san has a point. Unsprung weight is a huge deal with handling.
When cars switched over from heavy spoke wheels to lighter solid wheels in the 30's there was an immediate improvement in performance and handling. Yes, spoke wheels WERE heavier!
I really enjoyed this video, but it was too short! When you're doing the videos, I want hours, not minutes. :-)
Lol living that life of hardships 😂
Company - "W'd like to work with you. It involves car w---"
Norm - "Yes".
Honestly, watching that slab of iron being pressed into shape really is satisfying. Thanks for another amazing video ^_^
Those presses were just so cool to watch!!!
@@TokyoLens I was curious on how many tons those presses output. I know they're pretty significant for objects that size.
This is slightly off topic, but I love Norm's all black ninja outfit.
Notification squad at the ready!
Mind if I go make a cup of coffee before sitting down and watching this?
👍🏼
Hi Notification Squad! 🙋♀️
Yeaaaahhh
Really want those BBS LMs one of my dream wheels right there.
Honestly, this isn't a topic I would have actively sought out myself, but I thought this video was intetesting!
I almost got mad at you when you started driving with no seat belt so was happy for the pause for "safety". :)
Hahaha I could feel it
That’s why I stopped and put the belt on 😂
This was a great way to show the process of such a highly respected wheel brand. This must have been a dream to film! Thanks for sharing this with us TL, this was awesome! From one Film/Car guy to another.
Thanks so much eh!! Super lucky they let me in haha
@@TokyoLens I can imagine considering how things are in the world right now, thanks again!
Not being biased, I think they put a lot of thought and care into the production of their products. Thanks Norm for the insight.
Super cool to see you getting behind the scenes with BBS! I deal with a lot of aftermarket manufacturing and car stuff and so I'm always fascinated seeing a new factory, especially one as important as BBS has been.
The difference in feel: Weight loss and momentum. The engine doesn't have to spend as much energy getting the wheels spinning, so more of that energy goes into moving the car forward (improved acceleration). Meanwhile, less weight means less momentum, so it's easier for the wheels to change direction, which is directly tied to improved steering as they're such an integral part of it.
I always try to buy made-in-Japan products because of their dedication and perfection. Unfortunately, so many imitations from China and Korea, which are cheap but low quality.
I can visualize that call: "we want you to tour our car fac-" and you going "I'm in!"
(I'm not a car girl - I don't even know how to drive - but I sent this video to my father (very much a car father, he owned a car shop back in the day) and he absolutely loved it.)
I love japan factory tours, the detail employees put is so cool.
Baumgartner, Brand, Schiltach, or short: BBS.
German brand in perfection.
unfortunatelly had to file for insolvency. But hopefully in good new hands with KW Suspension as a new owner now. Two of the best brands in the car world.
Man merkt sie legen Wert auf Qualität und lassen in Japan fertigen. 😆
Ja right, i was getting confused about the idea of BBS being a japanese Brand.
Deutsche Wertarbeit hergestellt in Japan. 😁
I am gonna write my college assignment on japanese work style and business model.This will help a lot!!!
Aww glad to hear it!
People are probably not gonna like the part where many Japanese employees are overworked and are not paid for overtime lol
@@quackinator1609 Facts are facts! That "service overtime" is an insult to the unions who fought so hard for the 9-5 work day in Japan.
I'd love to see more factory tours like this in Japan. I know China does a ton of manufacturing for them just like they do for America, so it brings me a lot of joy seeing industries still continue even in a country that is more focused on culture due to their lack of natural resources and it is always a joy to see their attention to details.
Yeheyyy!!! Another exciting content UwU
Yayyyy 😊
I know how he feels about making things like that!
I’ve been at the factory for a while. Not big parts like wheels though. It was really fun making things which you might buy and use and it becomes a part of your life. . Some of you might use it somewhere right now…
That was really fun to watch😊Thanks🙌
Not deeply involved/interested in all things car, but love seeing how things are made and enjoy quality performance when driving. I can hear my '02 WRX begging for a set. Thanks for this dive into the factory and Japanese craftsmanship.
I'm not a car person at all, but those rims were beautiful!!! Thank you for taking us around, I'm glad you had a great time and a memorable experience. I'm serious, your channels make me want to live a fuller, better, more adventurous life!!! ^_^ Thank you Norm!!
not just any factory...it's bloody bbs holy crap
😊
Great video and I love the way that the Japanese are always so proud of what they make!🇯🇵💯✔👍
Great Video!! More japanese Factories!
Normal people when see this : japan make quality product
Car guys when see this : sheeeesh this heaven
Hahaha spot on~
Norm that was wheely good! Now to get some BBS wheels..
😂 wheely good really got me lol
Nice video, always good to see how things are made and the pride that people have in their work which allows them to pay attention to detail which keeps the quality up.
I remember on one of my visits to Japan visiting a Mazda factory near Hiroshima where we could see how cars were being made via the production line. That was very interesting.
Oh wow that’s really cool!!
I actually can’t believe it in all the time in Japan this is my first time setting foot in a factory lol
@@TokyoLens both Mazda and Toyota have museums and tours (in Hiroshima and Nagoya respectively), although both are closed currently. I dropped links in the Patreon discord.
Nismo also have a museum witch is great to go to.
Interesting the press machine was pretty cool
I have almost no interest in cars or car parts, but the way you capture the people, the company and your own admiration and enjoyment is nothing short of amazing.
Made in Japan 🇯🇵 100% baby
ngl, this video caught me by surprise lol. You usually document the nature side of Japan, so seeing you document JDM car stuff got me exited 😂
who knows, maybe "Work Wheels" next? I mean, they in japan 😂
It's good you were able to feel the difference even with mild granny driving (from what you showed). From the way Murakami-san was speaking, it really seemed like he was expecting you to really test the limits and drive like a bat out of hell. Especially considering it's a mini cooper they put you in, which is fairly well known for good balance and even their drifting capabilities.
Light weight rims can make a huge difference in performance due to Newton's first law. So reducing the weight not only reduces the overall weight of the vehicle, but also reduces the rotational mass of the wheel, making it easier to rotate or slow down/stop. The forging process doesn't play a role in this nearly as much as the difference between steel and aluminum materials, but the forging process allows for greater strength, which in turn allows for further reduction of material (and thus weight) while keeping the same strength as a more bulkier and heavier cast part. Cast parts have an advantage of being simpler and easier to get more complex shapes, but if going for efficiency and performance: Cast is typically the way to go.
There is one caveat to the swap in materials though in that rally racing typically needs the higher durability of steel or other stronger material rims due to the intense terrain and abuse they're put through that typical road driving/racing rarely experiences.
A while back I replaced the drive shaft in my '83 Toyota Celica. The stock setup is a two piece drive shaft with non-replacable u-joints and a center bearing that has the tendency to wear out after 30 or so years. Replacing it with a single piece shaft not only reduced the weight/rotational mass even despite it still being steel rather than aluminum or carbon fiber, but it also increased the efficiency from removing the center bearing and two additional sets of u-joints. Plus the u-joints are now serviceable/replaceable. It had a big effect on how the vehicle performed probably similar to what you experienced with the wheels. Plus it reduced driving vibrations.
The granny driving comment is only meant as a mild tease. Not actually serious because safe driving is important, too. :P
Really nice video! It’s beautiful to see how much love and attention they put in their work.
Yasss... so many of the Japan vlogger folks I like on YT are not car people... most of the actual car channels in Japan made by non-born and raised Japanese people are annoying as hell other than Alexi. So im so glad to see a well made vid about a part of Japanese car culture.
I work for a Japan (Over seas however) based company and was able to tour some factories when in Japan (Pre COVID) and the factories are refreshing to visit. The overall workforce mentality, and cleanliness of the factories is great. So your observations are spot on. Also, your videos are great to watch. Thanks.
I’ve been in a lot of Japanese factories. Always impressive.
Always love these kind of tours and visits. Some things you know from what you seen or experienced here wever people live (for me Sweden) and then seeing the same thing but in a typical Japanese way is so much fun.
Idea that popped up in my tiny brain, since you Norm used to be a big drifting nerd (probably still are) wouldn't it be awesome to see the whole transformation from a normal car in to a kick ass drifter monster. Get some well known or expert place to give you the whole tour and also to follow a specific ride. I know it would take a longer while to shoot like this but it could make for some fun stuff.
Thank you for this great vid! :-) I ran a set of Rays Engineering Volk Racing ce28n on my Euro Civic Type R for 5 years, and while I dont have the car anymore I still have the wheels. Shaved of 32 KG of unsprung weight, and felt epic :-)
Fun Fact: Yesterday I had my very first real driving lesson 😂 Spoiler Alert: I am still alive hahaha
(I literally know nothing about cars.... )
Always frightened when someone tells me that I will be able to tell the difference, so so afraid that I will fail to tell or even feel the opposite
I always love your videos on these behind the scenes/Craftsman topics
I’m usually not interested in car stuff...but I really enjoyed watching this documentary😆🔥🚙❤️
One that would be interesting to see, but unsure if they would allow a tour like this is Miroku. Making things for a long time, but not really that well known as a Japanese product and company. Mostly because 99.9% their product is sold out of Japan under an American name.
I do like my Japanese products though. Zojirushi's pressure and induction rice cooker, Hario V60, and Balmuda toaster oven (though I'm still not quite convinced that one was worth the money spent for the end result).
Edit: I just realized Yamaha. That is totally up your alley to try and see Japanese made Yamaha products being made. So many things too, you ever been to the Tokyo Yamaha HQ store?
Cool video! BBS is definitely one of the best wheel manufacturers out there.
Though I'd like to point out that "rims" are just one of three components that make up a wheel. Unfortunately "rims" have been rendered a synecdoche in recent years due to...ironically various parts of car culture is my guess. I suppose it just sounds cooler to say than "wheels".
Also, I can't say this test is very scientific, because not only are the wheels lighter (less unsprung weight), the TIRE manufacturer is also different, which is probably the most dramatic ride-feel change you can make in a car! It went from Pirelli All-season P7 Cinturato tires to Michelin something-or-others. Maybe they more early traction / better-suited operating temperature compound than the Pirelli P7's, also contributing to the "lightness" in acceleration. Just a thought!
Woah didn't know BBS had a factory in Japan lol. Work Wheels next maybe? That would be sick! Anyway great vid Norm! Wasn't expecting to see you upload about BBS but really thanks again now we finally know how this legendary wheel brand makes their wheels in Japan.
Don't forget, the BBS wheels LOOK nicer. Some people do aftermarket wheels just for the "looks".
Well, I work in a factory building Truck Power Shift in Japan, it is a repetitive and tired job. And that Factory looks clean, where I work is dirty and smelly
I worked in a Japanese factory in Hungary once, for about a year and a half, a different part of the automotive industry. Seeing a Japanese factory in Japan, the similarities due to the same culture are very interesting. I do remember the Japanese doing a minute or two exercise at the start, even if we didn't do them.
And then you got into a Mini, for which I built the backrest of the front seats for another year and a half in the UK. 😂 We called the one you were sitting in "UKL punch black", UKL is the car's current platform, it's a black sport seat, with small holes ("punch") on the top part for ventilation and style. I'll be damned.
Interesting. Not really my thing, but I did perk up when you started talking about sushi. So... there's that. :D
i know lot of roadheads would like this video to see how the rims they gonna buy is made
as a mechanic makes me cry when i see after market rims/lugnut, its jus more work and hassel on my part
100% man
BBS rims yeh they were massive in the 90s!!!! 👍
BE BACK SOON!!!
Hey Norm this is great to watch. I am currently writing my master thesis on the Japanese manufacturing systems based on Toyota. What Americans would call LEAN. It's interesting to watch your video on the company and see how they have all the terms applied there like Muri, Muda and Mura. You also see how they use Kanban and the five S's. One perspective I want to see one day, though I know this was based on an invitation, is the downside to the Japanese Manufacturing System.
It has been criticized for relying too much on Tatemae and that often leads to less creativity and enthusiasm from the employees.
Non the less, a great video and great camera work! Have a nice day :)
Despite not knowing much about cars, I really enjoyed this! And now at least I know a little bit more. :) Documentary style 'how things are made' tv shows are always pretty interesting and this episode didn't disappoint! 🌸
You should check out the MKS pedals factory. They got old guys and grandmas still making bike pedals
I know absolutely nothing about cars. But this was fascinating to watch! The craftsmanship is incredible.
basically to me...changing rims changes pick-up- if the we are using lighter wheels, even a 0.5kg per rim makes a very huge difference. Road feel, which transmits to handling,if the width ,stiffness and size of rim changed. The rest are type of tires...
Man I've wanted to ship and slap BBS wheels on my Rav4 for a few years now. What an awesome experience to be able to be in that space. Japanese products are definitely built different!
100 yen sushi.. That's 90 cents American.. Would that be for a peice or a whole roll?
I didn't know BBS had a factory there! Send black meshies for my Volvo! :) (Also the 'resistance' you are talking about is called 'Unsprung weight' hich in the case of rims means less moment of inertia to turn the rims. Lightness is good that way.)
To think that there is workers so INVESTED in something as simple as wheels, and not only that, their wheels are *different* in a way you can´t simply say why. It's a magnificient feeling. This is why I subconsciously pick BBS wheels everytime I play need for speed (even if they are just cosmetic there, they still make me feel faster and obviously cooler 😂)
🎀
We actually need more day in the life of videos 🧐 if you're not still studying Japanese to English pilot books 🙃
Norm, you are the Veritasium of Japanese TH-cam Content. And I mean this as a compliment, please take it as such. I view Veritasium as one of the best science content creators, and I view your work as some of the very best Japanese content on TH-cam.
Such a cool video about something I truly knew next to nothing about. Average people like me never really think much about how things are made, especially things so ubiquitous as wheels, but a whole lot of effort actually goes into making them that we had no idea about.
The BBS rims are slick~ I was also surprised to see you had forgotten your seatbelt the first time round. That's interesting to know rims have such a huge impact on acceleration.
Bah, I missed the video drop, but had to lol at Norm comparing the wheel and trying to explain how difficult it was to explain.
1:45 That looks like the forged wheel for the new Lexus IS350.
Had I known this video was about the BBS factory I would have clicked much sooner
I'm so glad you filmed this video as I used to work in such an environment many years in Japan. Due to confidential production recipe, it's not easy to get permission for filming inside factory but you beautifully filmed the typical Japanese mid-small factory. Personally one of the beauties in Japanese manufacturing is cleanliness. As you can see at 3:21, there is no rubbish on the floor, tidied up around machines and beautifully put wheels on the pallet. I love this organizing! By the way, I'm wondering what motivates them to keep this level of cleanliness. I don't think they are just asked to do by their boss.
This why my last three cars are from Japan.
😉
YASS! As car enthusiast and big fan of yours this video got me excited. Would love to see you do more things with Albo again.
This was really interesting, I loved it seriously gives me a chance to understand different factors of life in japan.
Really glad you were able to enjoy that much
@@TokyoLens lol the pressure of trying to figure out the difference yeah that’s would be tough..
Really was lol
I wonder if the GT500 rims and Super Formula rims are built there? Motorsport is massive in Japan.
The wheels being lighter give them less inertia which makes them easier to start spinning, easier to stop spinning and gives them 'faster' suspension response after a bump as the suspension isn't having to move such a heavy wheel. In all, getting wheels like BBS or any other performance brand will in general make the car feel more responsive in most aspects, but also bbs isn't just about feel it's about look for so many car people. This is also why buying replica wheels is never a good idea, they don't give you this level of quality and safety that real performance wheel brands do offer.
I'm so happy to have found your channel! Maybe one day I'll be able to make a trip to Japan but for now I can't, so thank you sincerely!
darn, my "off to work now, missing vid" comment didn't post :( oh well, time to watch.
That's AWESOME... thanks for sharing your story
Amazing video. Wish you went into a bit more depth though! Japan made wheels are the best, all my cars have them 😎
When I was in college I worked at a wheel factory. I still remember the smell and the chemicals they used. Still fascinating!
i always describe teh quality of "made in japan" as fastidious. Cool video! good to see u back in car stuff!
This was very intriguing in a good way. Seeing how the wheels and rims are made and how they use a process to where there’s less chance of defects and such, that’s pretty cool. Also, to see how everyone from factory floor to office gets together in the morning for the exercises was interesting
Awesome! You always find the most interesting places!
Well working industrial complex is always pleasure to watch
Did not expect this but am certainly glad you got the chance to share your experience of this. I have friends who worked in the automotive industry here but not this area of it so was quite interesting to see.
unsprung weight, you'd probably notice it after suspension load
No wonder they are expensive , it is a really high quality products
Very cool video Norm! Never gave a thought of how the rims are made :D
Who else was expecting Norm to drift around a bit to really test both sets of wheels xD?
Damn~!! Lucky bugger~!! I would love to be able to be there! I love BBS rims~~ apart from Enkei & Volks, BBS are like one of my faves~~ nice work getting in there and showing us around!! Love their passion for their work and craft.
Thanks a bunch~!! Keep it up~!!
Awww thanks so much eh!!
Ahh, more working vids. Love them!
💪
Japanese worker very hardworking, disicpline and clever
Gona get BBS wheels...when i am 50 and actually has some wealth to my name
I never thought I'd find a video about making wheels, but here we are.
as a car lover, I really appreciated this video. Cheers m8!!!