Eddy originally owned these(the rear at least) and sold them to Kiyomi in 1982. Kiyomi says the original front wheel was stolen back then and he had always wanted to get a matching wheel to complete the set again. While at a race in the early nineties, he found just that when he went over to Big Daddy Ralph's trailer(Ralph's bike shop fame). The 1st generation Graphite Wheels complete with Campagnolo hubs were once again a set! I ran into Kiyomi at this years Supernationals and discovered that he had these wheels.......the rest is history. I snapped these pics before cleaning the wheels up.....I have plans for them on my '81 GT....or maybe the Race Inc. Anyway, this is my biggest score of the year! If any of you guys speak with Eddy King, I would be interested in knowing when and where he acquired them. I would bring them to Rockford but unfortunately I can't go this year....

Oh they are such a sweet wheel. Biggest regret of my life was selling mine.
Good score.

I hear ya. I don't plan on letting these go. Once I polish them up, I will repost pics of them on my steed.

I don't remember Eddie runnin them, any pics or details? I think I rememeber Pistol using them, getting old and forgetfull.

Changstar

I don't think Eddy ever raced them....just owned them as far as I know.

Anyone ever speak with Eddy??

I'm in touch with both Eddy King and Kiyomi Waller.
Talk to them both at least once a month.

Eddy always had a practice bike with graphites when he was on Diamond Back.
I saw it in his garage. I used to ride with his youngr brother Mike King often back then.

I texted Eddy today. He simply can't remember how he got them back then.

Kiyomi told me he sold those graphites.

L.A. do we know each other?
Rockford 05'?


Johnny Johnson

Everyone knows Johnny KNOWS Eddy King

Yeah Johnny,
We met in Rockford '05. You might remember me as the guy who won the drawing for the Boss cruiser at the banquet(after JeffUtterback put it back in the hat). I bought the graphites from Kiyomi awhile back. I plan on putting them on the '81 GT that I brought to the Rock in'05. Thanks for checking with Eddy on this. It's cool to know the history behind stuff like this.

Funny thing..........

I just found a 1982 issue of the little San Diego BMX publication
"The BMXA Of San Diego Newsletter".

In the back is a classified ad section.
One of the ads reads.........

"Graphite Tuff-Wheels. Front & rear. Slightly used.
Original cost $250. Sell for $165. Phone evenings. 619-423-...."

It was Eddy King selling them back in 1982.
Guess that's when Kiyomi Waller bought them.

I still have mine from then . Same patent # D244272 My serial # is 000274 From what I heard they made 250 sets for the sponsored teams then made more . If thats true does that make mine the 24 th pair for public sale ?

That's cool Johnny! Thanks for adding to the history. I hope to be at Rockford '09....if so I will have my '81GT with the Graphites. As for the serial number order and how to determine how they were distributed....I'm clueless.