oO KINESIS closed its doors 10/27: bought out by Lexani Oo

[CaliAgents]

Kinesis who makes some of the finest wheels money can buy:
http://www.pim.net/pimK59_34.jpg
http://www.kinesiswheels.com/images/CFoS2004/XJ220s_titanium_LG3.jpg

just had to be bought out by Lexani :drink3 :bawl, makers of these babies:
http://hubcap-tire-wheel.com/images/2005/wheels/lexani-ice-lg.jpg
http://www.ichibanhydraulics.com/images/grqa1.jpg

read up here:
http://socaleuro.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17751
still haven't found any information as to what precursors led up to the buyout. If only BBS or Fikse were the merger, we could all be at ease.

At least Kinesis will still continue serving previous customers from what I've gathered... not sure if they'll continue selling wheels to new customers.

[SlammedE30]

That bites. Kinesis makes sweet wheels.

[Ben Z.]

yes...we all know this

[NobleForums]

Kinesis made some really sweet wheels like the F110 (which was discontinued when Lexani took over):

http://www.kinesismotorsport.com/images/F110_LG.jpg

However, some of them are rather ugly. I'm definitely not a fan of the ones on my Porker (came with the car):

http://www.nobleforums.com/images/onyxm400/996tt/tirerear1.jpg

But I do admit they're better than anything Lexani makes. Bleh.

[addnon]

more pics of the porker?

Whats next, BBS bought by Konig?

[toopercentmlk]

Fuck.

[Mitch]

I refuse to believe this. I'm tempted to pre-emptively begin writing angry letters to Lexani. I think if they get 10,000+ letters (paper letters that they can't just block with a simple spam filter, and I doubt those gangsters know how the US Mail system works enough to have letters deferred) they'll have a taste in their mouths that'll give them an idea of what will happen if they fuck up one of the best performance wheel marquees in existence.

[mr pink]

big deal. lol

[toopercentmlk]

big deal. lol
I don't enjoy tracking on 40lb chrome rimz.

[Preppy]

Meh, I was gonna get a set of Kinesis for Maeve next year, I guess it's back to LM's for her :az

[CaliAgents]

Noble: I love the F110s too, really clean spoked design. Looks badass on Porsches and E46 M3s... but I've always had a thing for the racing/euro look with stepped lips and rivets.

The wheels that can on your black Porsche look like K58Rs... the "R" for reverse lip.

Anyways, 'tis a sad day in wheel history. Who knows, since I'm sure Lexani acquired all the manufacturing techniques and material suppliers they still might make decent wheels. I hope they keep the same or similar designs though.

[bursty]

RAC Monolites are my new favorites since Kinesis is gone....

http://www.racmonolites.com/cars/18.jpg
http://www.racmonolites.com/cars/17.jpg

[mr pink]

that mthrizz is slizamned

[APav]

i bet the guys at kinesis are $foreva' Hustlin$.

[NobleForums]

RAC Monolites are my new favorites since Kinesis is gone....



Those used to be my favorite until I found the Dymag Carbon Fiber & Magnesium wheels. Beautiful and EXTREMELY strong.

http://www.nobleforums.com/images/onyxm400/sema2006/h_dymag3.jpg

http://www.nobleforums.com/images/onyxm400/sema2006/h_dymag2.jpg

http://www.nobleforums.com/images/onyxm400/sema2006/h_dymag3.jpg

Priced to match. :(

[tylerblue]

Meh, CCW's FTW.

[theruss1an1]

Woah those RAC Monolites are crazy looking.

-Serge

[Rocket26]

Those used to be my favorite until I found the Dymag Carbon Fiber & Magnesium wheels. Beautiful and EXTREMELY strong.

http://www.nobleforums.com/images/onyxm400/sema2006/h_dymag3.jpg

http://www.nobleforums.com/images/onyxm400/sema2006/h_dymag2.jpg

http://www.nobleforums.com/images/onyxm400/sema2006/h_dymag3.jpg

Priced to match. :(
I wonder why they didn't do all carbon? I wonder if there's too many forces on the joints to be able to maintain rigidity in each direction force is applies to the wheel?

I miss working with CF... has been too long.

[sonicpentatonic]

^^those CF/Magnesium wheels NobleForums posted are sexy :drool:

I <3 CF :love1:

[NobleForums]

I wonder why they didn't do all carbon? I wonder if there's too many forces on the joints to be able to maintain rigidity in each direction force is applies to the wheel?

I miss working with CF... has been too long.

Spokes don't make up enough of the weight to make the exponentially more difficult work worthwhile.

Apparently, the hoops are super strong though.

http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=42991&d=1160977801

http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61311


Last weekend we went up to Infineon Sears Pt to qualify for the Superstreet Time Attack finale that will be held @ Buttonwillow the week after SEMA.

We ran the cup car in the unlimited class - Shod with the Rennworx/Dymag Carbon wheels - We were able to post the fastest time of the day and set a new track record......

This was pretty cool event- running on Toyo Ra-1 tires and with 60+ cars on track it made it very interesting getting through traffic to set the flier lap.. We could have gone faster reported James ... But this would be enough..

I am pleased to report that the Carbon Dymag wheels performed flawlessly and James reported an improvement in the feel and performance of the car..

At one point James used the curbing to get around the track- What would have most likely bent a normal 3 piece wheel- the Dymag showed no signs of any damage or fatigue....What so ever..

[Penguin-Police]

http://www.kinesiswheels.com/images/CFoS2004/XJ220s_titanium_LG3.jpg
Is it me, or does that riced XJ220 look sweet as hell?

[NickM3]

http://www.kinesiswheels.com/images/CFoS2004/XJ220s_titanium_LG3.jpg
Is it me, or does that riced XJ220 look sweet as hell?

Freaking sick. TWR Jaguar XJ220, looks like they painted the diffuser.

[Rocket26]

Spokes don't make up enough of the weight to make the exponentially more difficult work worthwhile.

Apparently, the hoops are super strong though.

http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=42991&d=1160977801

http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61311
Makes sense. Carbon fiber has opened the doors for so many products. Lighter, stronger... what more could a racer ask for?

[NobleForums]

Makes sense. Carbon fiber has opened the doors for so many products. Lighter, stronger... what more could a racer ask for?

I'd venture to ask for reduced cost. ;)

[Penguin-Police]

Freaking sick. TWR Jaguar XJ220, looks like they painted the diffuser.

Wow fucking sick. 3.5L V6 680hp and 2300lbs. I never knew they made a tuned XJ220.

http://www.jag-lovers.org/snapsdata/6~1079998536.jpg

[Ty Vil]

that's too bad.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Damn shame, easily one of the best wheels for a Porsche or BMW.

[Moe34]

The reason they didn't make the spokes on that Dymag wheel carbon fiber is because CF is too strong and rigid and it would cause a lot more vibration to be absorbed through the suspension. That's what I read in the article about them.

[jszy25]

http://www.kinesiswheels.com/images/CFoS2004/XJ220s_titanium_LG3.jpg
Is it me, or does that riced XJ220 look sweet as hell?

Riced?? I dont understand.

[A ///Monster]

great! now where am I going to get Kinesis center caps for my wheels.

[DTM325]

i just got my kinesis center caps from kinesis....

$5 each

kinesis is still producing the wheels, but it is just owned by another company...not that big of a deal...

[NSR AJ]

man that sucks!

[DEFKON99]

wowo i dont think ive ever seen carbon filber rims like that ! :luvlove

[A ///Monster]

Hey DTM... I need some help getting those $5 center caps. I got the number to lexani when I called today and they refered me to some other company that was wanting $49/ center cap. And then they couldn't even tell me what center cap I needed for 17" K27's.

help please. I just want the regular black center caps.

[CaliAgents]

$5 for each Kinesis center cap? Sure you ain't missing a digit? If not, I'm ordering a batch!

[Mitch]

Riced?? I dont understand.

He doesn't know what an XJ220 TWR is.

[EvanL]

I'd venture to ask for reduced cost. ;)

Standard engineering mantra:

Strong
Lightweight
InexpensiveYou can have two.

-Evan

[Bassem]

Hey DTM... I need some help getting those $5 center caps. I got the number to lexani when I called today and they refered me to some other company that was wanting $49/ center cap. And then they couldn't even tell me what center cap I needed for 17" K27's.

help please. I just want the regular black center caps.

They were 25-35 a piece when I stopped by them on a drive down to socal in march (depending on which style). Their website is still up with their phone number and stuff, tried calling them directly?

Bassem

[jkuper]

RAC Monolites are my new favorites since Kinesis is gone....

http://www.racmonolites.com/cars/18.jpg
http://www.racmonolites.com/cars/17.jpg

Those have nothing to do with Kinesis. They are built by Champion Motorsports http://www.championmotorsport.com, the same people who built the Evosport's RG8 wheels.

The story of RAC, stolen from FMJMotorsports

RAC Monolites - www.racmonolites.com
Once upon a time, there was no commercially available optimum wheel setup for the E46 M3. Ralph Sheppard convinced SSR to build a 9.5" wheel in a new offset and, with a specially designed spacer, a balanced and rotateable track wheel setup became available. He probably didn't realize it at the time, but he had taken the first step toward RAC Monolites.

Next came the RG8 project. Designed as a light and strong street wheel setup, Ralph designed and spec'd the wheels. After delivering the first batch, the project was handed over to an online retailer. They have since become one of the standards by which all top end E46 M3 wheel fitments are judged.

When BMW announced the creation of the CSL and provided pictures of a completely new wheel, enthusiasts everywhere began to scramble for a set of the rare 19" CSL cast wheels. Since an authentic CSL vehicle identification number (VIN) is required to purchase CSL parts, the wheels have remained a scarce and expensive upgrade. With the scarcity came not only expense, but risk - replacing a scratched, bent, or broken OEM CSL wheel is no easy trick. Thus was born the RG4 CSL style wheel project. With roots on a BMW enthusiast internet message board RAC designed and spec'd a forged aluminium CSL style wheel. With it, RAC Monolites was born. The 1st batch of RG4 wheels, delivered in August 2004, has been met with wide praise. The RG4 is the bionic man of BMW wheels - lighter, stronger, faster, better.

The RS110 wheel will be in soon and looks to be one of the best all around wheels on the market. Spec'd in 2 available fitments, the RS110 is a track oriented wheel. Delivery of the first wheels in late 2004 is a highly anticipated event.

RAC Monolites are all spread forged aluminum wheels. RAC designs and spec's the wheels, then has them manufactured by Champion Wheels. Each wheel is a highly functional work of art worthy of any car -race or show. Strength, aesthetics, optimum fit, and low weight are all critical components of the design process. If you're in the market for the best wheels in the world, you simply must take a look at RAC Monolite's offerings.

[A ///Monster]

Nice wheels jkuper.

I did try to call them directly. I get an automated message telling me their new number which happens to be Lexani wheels and some Latino chick operator who talks too fast for me to understand. No luck.

[DTM325]

Nice wheels jkuper.

I did try to call them directly. I get an automated message telling me their new number which happens to be Lexani wheels and some Latino chick operator who talks too fast for me to understand. No luck.

did you call the number i gave you?

[A ///Monster]

No I'm sorry, I haven't called the number yet. I forgot to do that. I'll try to do that this week.

[RUddin3]

did you call the number i gave you?

Is the number different from the 1-800 on their website?

I want to order some caps for my K20s before they start saying "Lexani" :rolleyes

Anybody know any more info if they are going to continue to support the wheels? Or did they just buy their technical property and plan on closing the plant and laying off the Kinesis employees?

Drive Safely,
Raza

[DTM325]

Is the number different from the 1-800 on their website?

I want to order some caps for my K20s before they start saying "Lexani" :rolleyes

Anybody know any more info if they are going to continue to support the wheels? Or did they just buy their technical property and plan on closing the plant and laying off the Kinesis employees?

Drive Safely,
Raza


Yes the number is different then the 1-800.

The company is run the exact way, but it's under different ownership. WIth the excepetion of a few sales employees, they are the same people that assemble and engineer the wheels.

~Chase