Impression
Chip Foose , left , seen here with bike enthusiast turned wheel manufacturer Ron Loynds
The Ron Loynds story – the Californian wheel manufacturer Metalsport pretty much invented the “ Big Wheel ” craze with their 30 and 32-inchers
Best known for their Big Wheels , South Gate ( Los Angeles ), California based Metalsport Wheels was founded in 2007 by Ron Loynds - but the background to the Metalsport story is one of a family owned and operated precision machining business with considerable aerospace credentials . Ron , a life-long rider , started working in his stepfather ’ s “ old school ” machine shop when he was a kid .“ I did the typical stuff when I started – cleaning machines , sweeping floors and such like . I guess he wanted to see that I could be trusted in “ his space ” without killing myself or breaking something !” But he did neither , and after about 6 years was running the shop , and after being involved around 12 years in total , his father decided he wanted to retire , so Ron took over ownership and set about modernizing the business , “ but without losing the sense of craftsmanship , precision and excellence that he ’ d schooled me in ,” he says . “ In truth , the main thing I did was to simply roll my sleeves up and put in the hours . My father had been fine with his way of doing things , and that was fine of course – better than fine . But the equipment was antiquated and slow , and I knew that I had to bring it up-to-date and find new customers .” Putting in the hours even involved sleeping at the workshop sometimes and having no other focus , a familiar story for many , I ’ m sure , but there is no substitute for sheer hard work and determination , and as for so many others , it worked for Ron . As the business grew , he was able to start expanding . From having just the one “ tin hut ” to start with , as Ron puts it , he now has four businesses , with Metalsport housed in a 30,000 sq ft facility , employing 25 people , 22 of them in manufacturing . Along the way he had developed a notable presence in the aerospace industry , designing and making tooling and components for the Apollo and space shuttle programs , and for military projects such as Minutemen and Sidewinder missiles - and others that he says he still can ’ t talk about publicly ! Ron ’ s first opportunity to turn his passion for riding into a
Metalsport is housed in a 30,000 sq ft facility
www . AMDchampionship . com AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - SEPTEMBER 2016 23
By Robin Bradley robin @ dealer-world . com
Metalsport ’ s kit list includes a 4-Axis CNC mill that can machine any size wheel
Metalsport is a major distributor of Vee Rubber Big Wheel tires , Whitewalls and replacement OE fittings