DannyG

Many of you may remember me as the Fikse wheel contact on this forum board and, as you may have noticed, I've not been around for quite some time. Well, that's because Fikse USA has unfortunately gone out of business as of September this year.

To those of you that own and utilize these wheels, don't let this make you feel as though you invested in a poor product - I can assure you this isn't the case. The reason for the company's downfall, from what I saw, was a lack of available investor capitol, down economy, and participation in Grand Am racing. That last reason may sound funny, but believe me, there is negative profit in building race wheels for professional race teams - I can't tell you how many wheel sets had to be given away to remain competitive with the likes of BBS. Think of it as you and a couple of your closest friends trying to create and manufacture a sports car that would compete against the Corvette in the world market... If you understand the economical priciple of increasing returns to scale, you know what I mean.

In any case, I also want to apologize for those of you that attempted to contact me via this forum board in the last 18 months or so. I was actually laid off by Fikse back in April of 2008 and, since I no longer had my C5 Z06, I had no reason to log back on to this board - So I'd like to extend my sincerest apologies to those of you that asked for my technical advice and did not receive a response. That being said, I just picked up another C5 Z06, hence the reason for my presence here... I'm back!!

So, if there are any questions regarding Fikse wheels, feel free to shoot me a PM and I'll do my best to assist you. Although it's been a while, I was Fikse's Corvette fitment specialist, so I remember quite a bit. If repairs are need to your inner or outer rims, I may be able to point you in the right direction. However, if there is damage to your centers, that is unfortunately an unreconcilable problem.

Glad to be back!

Danny G.

BrianCunningham

Sorry to hear

RX7 KLR

To bad. My Dad bought a C5 last year that came with a set of Fikse's. Unfortunately, two center caps were missing. He attempted to buy two more, and the ones they sold him did not match. He then sent back the two they sold him, and the two originals he had so they could try to come up with a matched set, this was around the time they shut the doors.

His Z now sits capless.

DannyG

Lovely... I'm sorry to hear that! Give Wheel Enhancement a call and see if they have any center caps left over - They were one of Fikse's biggest customers and I recently saw somewhere that they had a small inventory of center caps.

0Randy@DRM

I will look around for a couple of caps around here also. Racecars can't use them, and they always came in the boxes anyways.

Randy

They grow legs and walked out of here at some point. Sorry we couldn't help

Randy

Todd Z

I also may have some. I will take a look and PM you if I do. As for Fikse going out of Business, I am sorry for anybody that lost a job. Jim Fikse however is another story.

Racer2B

Sorry to hear. Funny you mention BBS though, as they were sold, again.
http://www.punchinternational.com/up...1427_4_6_e.pdf

DVNCI

Glad (I think!) I bought mine before they went out . .

Danny - thanks for all the help you gave me when I was trying to get everything together for the solid rear project.

Hate to hear this though.

AU N EGL

"Sale of BBS and Punch Metals
BBS and Punch Metals are to be sold to Creacorp nv, Punch’s main shareholder. Punch will retain ownership of the BBS brand. On the part of Punch, the transaction gives rise to a oneoff non-cash loss of around 48 million euros. In return, Creacorp nv is taking over a number of obligations, such as the rental guarantee for the property used by BBS and Punch Metals (approx. 10 million euros), securities for loan agreements and certain key suppliers (7.5 million euros) and the purchase obligation for the Hayes Lemmerz site in Gainesville, Georgia (5 million euros). A licence fee will also be paid for the use of the BBS brand."

Dr Chill

What a disappointment. I just noticed my front polished FM5 had 2 cracked spokes. Anyone have any ideas?

Calderone

Can you please post pics of the cracked spokes ?
Thanks !

Todd Z

Junk all of them!!! I had one come apart at the apex of turn 13 at Road America. Guessing sub grade bolts on the right front that failed for me. Two other wheels were cracked in the spokes.

DannyG

I've seen some centers that were machined incorrectly... The lug seats were too thin which obviously equals problems. This wasn't a normal problem by any means, but I'd be lying if I said I hadn't seen it before. Whatever the case, either find a way to replace the centers or junk them - DO NOT RUN THEM!

AU N EGL

take the tires off, clean them up and put a glass table top on them.

DannyG

That's an expensive coffee table... Or 3...

AU N EGL

What else can you do with cracked rims ?

DannyG

Not debating that... Just saying it's a shame. I just sent an email off to Jim Fikse's old email address to see if he has any spare parts laying around that he'd like to get rid of.

Dr Chill, I'll let you know if I can come up with anything.

Todd Z

Good luck getting in touch with him. I have his cell. # and he never returned calls when they were still in business.

DannyG

I have his cell # as well, but he's always been bad about returning phone calls, even when I worked for him. I had a good relationship with Jim, so I may be able to get a response.

I will keep all posted on whether or not I can get my hands on some parts

RX7 KLR

Bummer. Check with Dave at Forgeline. I heard they were able to do new rim-halfs for a number of other manufacturers wheels, they might be able to build a new center to fit your drum - of course it wont look the same, but that would be better than tossing out the set.