24 Hours INSIDE The BBS JAPAN Factory

[@TokyoLens]

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!!

[@RowanWatersStudios]

What an interesting job! The rims were seriously nice!

[@GreatPlainsRambler]

You should do more factory tour videos. Love this one!

[@Itami95]

Married to a car lover so I know a bit by default. Hubby’s first love is his R100 😉

[@ohenrico17acr92]

Maybe the acceleration, feels like the car is electric?

[@ciello___8307]

Man those BBS LM's are so nice!

[@maxxxedd3000]

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.

[@falkoo4052]

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]

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

[@falkoo4052]

@@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.

[@timothyer2447]

@@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

[@falkoo4052]

@@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.

[@RobbC.]

Japan manufacturing... putting the "perfect" in perfection. Good to see.

[@sweetarchangel6748]

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 ^_^

[@TokyoLens]

Those presses were just so cool to watch!!!

[@GregAtlas]

@@TokyoLens I was curious on how many tons those presses output. I know they're pretty significant for objects that size.

[@michaelcherry8952]

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. :-)

[@TokyoLens]

Lol living that life of hardships 😂

[@claytonedricpangalila2557]

Really want those BBS LMs one of my dream wheels right there.

[@RahatAzim998]

This is slightly off topic, but I love Norm's all black ninja outfit.

[@Redpantslol]

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.

[@patrycjawrobel5444]

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”. 🤣

[@ScrewFearMe]

it really does feel that way most of the time

[@patrycjawrobel5444]

@@thany3 that is true, their products are also high quality but the approach of Japanese workers is amazing.

[@visionmauto]

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.

[@TokyoLens]

Thanks so much eh!! Super lucky they let me in haha

[@visionmauto]

@@TokyoLens I can imagine considering how things are in the world right now, thanks again!

[@kermit502]

Not being biased, I think they put a lot of thought and care into the production of their products. Thanks Norm for the insight.

[@subarusensei3685]

I love japan factory tours, the detail employees put is so cool.

[@AQWorldsRay]

Notification squad at the ready!
Mind if I go make a cup of coffee before sitting down and watching this?

[@TokyoLens]

👍🏼

[@elflass5544]

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". :)

[@TokyoLens]

Hahaha I could feel it
That’s why I stopped and put the belt on 😂

[@dianechaniewski293]

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!!

[@loftythemite5586]

I know absolutely nothing about cars. But this was fascinating to watch! The craftsmanship is incredible.

[@Watashiwapitadesu]

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.

[@leah3660]

I really appreciate how honest you are about your judges and opinions about things you do, visit or try 👍👍👍👍

[@KirstenReusch]

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.

[@Orcagirl0104]

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🙌

[@raquelhoffmann4]

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.)

[@Japanesestudydreams]

i enjoyed seeing the process of the rims being made and how confident the workers are in their work.

[@DYLAN1234]

not just any factory...it's bloody bbs holy crap

[@TokyoLens]

😊

[@daisyrosario3438]

Great video and I love the way that the Japanese are always so proud of what they make!🇯🇵💯✔👍

[@Stormcrow89]

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

[@GregAtlas]

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.

[@dattmay]

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.

[@joshuamstark]

When I was in college I worked at a wheel factory. I still remember the smell and the chemicals they used. Still fascinating!

[@3Tumbler]

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.

[@whyisthisathingnow...]

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.

[@zenbugami]

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 😯

[@mydonglingCha]

I always love your videos on these behind the scenes/Craftsman topics

[@ScottMcMaster-er4xj]

Norm, you are the Veritasium of Japanese UA-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 UA-cam.

[@honestaditya6860]

Great Video!! More japanese Factories!

[@LeaShishiza]

I remember, like 20 years ago, my mom bought a new used car, that had BBS wheels. The previous owner mentioned this fact repeatedly. I had never heard of this company before. And I don't think my mom noticed any difference in driving quality, because the whole car was new to her.
But learning now, that these wheels were from Japan, manufactured with such effort and dedication, it means a lot to me in hindsight. Thanks for the video! 🙏🏼

[@lunaa.l.4157]

Really nice video! It’s beautiful to see how much love and attention they put in their work.

[@CarCrashf1]

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!

[@NeoNV-kg5fz]

as a car lover, I really appreciated this video. Cheers m8!!!

[@gsharrod]

Lovely job on both the camera work and the info - thanks

[@floccinaucci]

Thank you for sharing the experience with us.

[@thempstead]

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]

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

[@thempstead]

@@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.

[@terryosborne272]

Nismo also have a museum witch is great to go to.

[@flonaze83]

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.

[@sasuke1243]

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.

[@whirlbox7998]

I am gonna write my college assignment on japanese work style and business model.This will help a lot!!!

[@TokyoLens]

Aww glad to hear it!

[@quackinator1609]

People are probably not gonna like the part where many Japanese employees are overworked and are not paid for overtime lol

[@AfroInJPN]

@@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.

[@amycole3403]

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! 🌸

[@mathieucossette9019]

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!

[@1Raphael]

That's AWESOME... thanks for sharing your story

[@ThymeWithSage]

Awesome! You always find the most interesting places!

[@qwestpond1687]

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.

[@claytonedricpangalila2557]

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.

[@yossisureta2578]

I’m usually not interested in car stuff...but I really enjoyed watching this documentary😆🔥🚙❤️

[@MailMe2Japan]

I like the little morning workout. Like a team building exercise for each squad. what a great idea. the forge is cool. I never ever thought about how those rims we made.

[@andrejsgelins9296]

Well working industrial complex is always pleasure to watch

[@vincentmiller420]

Fantastic video Norm!

[@coolforcats1]

This is amazing Norm! I always love how much Japanese craftsmen have so much care in their work. It's generally why I edge towards Japanese brands when I change cars and tech etc.

[@Juror63]

DUDE! YOU GOT TO GO TO THE BBS FACTORY!
THAT'S AWESOME! 🤯

[@christopherh-t2631]

Tokyo Lens + Car's = O.O Yes please.

[@megamcee]

Ahh, more working vids. Love them!

[@TokyoLens]

💪

[@kungfool69]

i always describe teh quality of "made in japan" as fastidious. Cool video! good to see u back in car stuff!

[@jan__q]

Great video once again - thank you Norm!

[@patrycjawrobel5444]

Hi Notification Squad! 🙋‍♀️

[@TokyoLens]

Yeaaaahhh

[@TokyoCraftsman]

Unsprung rotating weight on a car or motorcycle makes a HUGE difference.
Great video!
Cheers
Stu

[@TokyoLens]

Cheers Stu!

[@thecolortwelve3784]

Been looking forward to this one

[@computerspek]

Norm that was wheely good! Now to get some BBS wheels..

[@TokyoLens]

😂 wheely good really got me lol

[@Dairski]

This was really interesting, I loved it seriously gives me a chance to understand different factors of life in japan.

[@TokyoLens]

Really glad you were able to enjoy that much

[@Dairski]

@@TokyoLens lol the pressure of trying to figure out the difference yeah that’s would be tough..

[@TokyoLens]

Really was lol

[@littlek4za]

in japan, everyone seems to have a good reason to love their job, how wonderful

[@KHainstock88]

Two different kinds of craftsmen, each equally passionate, coming together to make me care about wheels? Unexpected but I'm here for it. Well done as always!

[@sanashi27]

I'm not a car person but I enjoy watching how things are made. It's nice to see people who love and enjoy their work.

[@TokyoLens]

👍🏼

[@joeman840]

Bro this is a dream for so many people to walk through factory

[@martinmaglica3557]

As an engineer I find this kind of videos really interesting :) Great video

[@khaylle1224]

Yeheyyy!!! Another exciting content UwU

[@TokyoLens]

Yayyyy 😊

[@PetrHerold]

Very cool video Norm! Never gave a thought of how the rims are made :D

[@kryysberry]

I absolutely love seeing all the work that goes into making products! Its so easy to be overlooked when products are just available for purchase online or in a store. Not a car person at all but still really fascinating all the work that goes into these.

[@sergiostockfleth823]

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 :-)

[@alphamike87]

Great mini documentary Norm

[@TokyoLens]

Plenty more to come!!

[@alphamike87]

@@TokyoLens awesome brother, I can’t wait.

[@jinatha]

You probably don't see this, but I love your way of storytelling and the passion you show for your content. Every video really makes my day!

[@ReviewMedic]

Looking forward to more. Tokyo Lens is now gonna have it's documentary series. Hahaha. Awesome

[@N-JOEI]

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 😂

[@BKMHang10]

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.

[@yaminogame7805]

It's the experience I think that makes the difference, You can kind of just tell when someone has put love into a product instead of it being mass produced and cheap. It personalizes it for you which is what a good craftsman does. Wonderful video as always :)

[@officialabdulrehman]

Thanks for another quality video.
I am looking forward to your videography in Journey Across Japan: The lost Islands series!!!

[@TokyoLens]

👍🏼

[@DavidSmith-vw5eg]

I worked in a Japanese company here in Michigan and we did those exercises 2x a day once in the morning and once after lunch time

[@TokyoLens]

That’s cool!

[@aajohnsoutube]

I’ve been in a lot of Japanese factories. Always impressive.

[@imrekalman9044]

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.

[@easyduster]

You should check out the MKS pedals factory. They got old guys and grandmas still making bike pedals

[@eric1800es]

I had no idea BBS was Japanese. Thanks for the tour.

[@theartofikigai365]

This is such a cool video to see you do! You definitely made me want to get BBS wheels lol!

[@steveliu99]

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...

[@purplesparklefelicity5731]

You know I love your channel your doing a great job 👏

[@christopherjohnson6993]

Seems so cool to see the factory in person. It already looks so satisfying ok video, and I bet even more in-person. And as always, it is the people that make the video the best.

[@akitodaisuke6532]

Was Waiting for your video 😉

[@adaligogh4049]

I never thought I'd find a video about making wheels, but here we are.

[@zinedinezethro9157]

This is really cool

[@TokyoLens]

Glad you enjoyed it~

[@indysaur]

Very cool, I've always loved to see how things are made! Also...nice mini! :D

[@TokyoLens]

Cheers!

[@rikvdmark]

That was a very enjoyable video to watch. Seeing those rims literally pressed into existence was so incredibly cool! 😬
Having worked in Japan the work ethos wasn’t always easy but I definitely appreciated the thriving to deliver the best possible product 💪🏻
That and the whole community pulling together was a great experience 😊

[@mao0811]

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.

[@hattamimie]

Japanese worker very hardworking, disicpline and clever

[@felipesobral3341]

I'm glad you felt the difference! I felt the pressure here, gosh I don't know what I'd do! It's great you had an awesome experience!
I really like these kind of 'inside out' videos. Thanks for the content! :D

[@TokyoLens]

Thank you so much!!

[@MageThief]

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.

[@KillerTacos54]

Fantastic video!!