Diversification in Harley customization projects is perhaps most evident in new chrome wheels exchange. In fact, wheel alteration is one of the most popular methods of customizing a bike. With so many different models and styles for exchange on the market, it is not surprising that best-in-class Harley Davidson sport custom chromium wheel components.

Results to a Harley Davidson owner survey indicated that a very high percentage of those owners would be interested in a custom remodeling of their bikes. They also express that their bike is a reflection of their identity; so much so that those changes should represent their distinct personality on the road. Enter in the exchange of factory wheels for the durability of manufactured chromium alloy wheels.
Why Harley Davidson owners feel so passionate about creating art out of their investment is cited in as many reasons as expressions. The passion for Harley is unmatched, they say. Their motorcycle is an extension of the gift of riding. They see the transformation and feel the exhilaration of a bike born again.

If the longings of a Harley Davidson are not enough, wheel exchange is the next step in realizing the dream. The exchange of factory wheels for chrome plating wheels takes us to places we have never been. So stunning are manufactured chrome rims that owners stand apart from the rest. As one of the least expensive options for customization, chrome wheel exchange is appealing for Harley Davidson owners.

Chrome features are highly desirable by collectors, and with the right knowledge about chrome restoration, you can keep these chrome features in tip-top shape to add value to your classic car and maintain its’ historical authenticity.

Of course, no part of a car is designed to last forever. Consider classic auto restoration to give your car the most value and collector desirability at sale. Restoration is a rewarding process that allows older vehicles to have their most beautiful parts restored to look and run like they did when new, if not better.

What Does Restoration Entail?

Obviously, restoration is about more than just shining it up and putting new tires on it, but classic car restoration can mean different things to different people.

Some usually take the process to mean taking a classic car completely apart to repair and replace anything and everything sub-par and then reassembling to create a car restored to its’ original condition off the assembly line. To others, restoration can mean fixing up the classic car to resurrect it, but stopping short of completely disassembling the car. And, then there are the restorative modifiers that do a full restoration and add a few perks, such as air conditioning or modern transmissions.

Which approach you take will largely depend on how much time, money, and effort you are able to put into the restoration. It will also depend on your motive for restoring the classic car – sale, auction, personal hobby, shows and contests, or as part of a larger historical collection. Most classic car owners interested in sale will aim to be as historically accurate as possible for collection and value purposes.

How To Restore Chrome Features

Rust and corrosion is the vintage car collector’s archenemy. When the chrome plating is worn or scratched, the base metal is exposed to the elements and rust begins to form. The chrome plating then bubbles and begins to flake as the rust ruins the base metal.

So, what do you do?

You can try cleaning and polishing first, but moderate to severe rust and corrosion likely won’t be solved by cleaning and polishing. In this case, you can contact a professional to see if the chrome is a replating candidate.

Classic Components, Inc., or otherwise known as South Bay Chrome, has been providing high-quality automotive chrome plating as well as motorcycle chrome plating since 1986. We provide service for wheels, motorcycle frames and swingarms and other small components. In addition to this, they also do chrome plating and electroplating on both magnesium and plastic parts.

Some shops will use nickel instead of copper for the protective layer. This is a cheaper way of chrome plating but also not a high-quality job.

The protective layer of copper is one of the most important steps in the process chrome plating. All the imperfections on the surface of the material being chrome plated must be removed to allow proper bonding of the nickel. The nickel acts as the final coat in which the chrome is applied to.

We use both semi-bright and bright nickel, copper and chrome for our chrome plating process. The same process is applied to both motorcycle chrome plating and automotive chrome plating. A 24-step process is done to assure a quality finish. When the final result is black chrome, the same process is done just adding one more step to the end adding the black finish. Welding, filling and repair and restoration service is also available at an additional fee.

We do not subcontract any of our work out. This provides use the ability to control the quality of the chrome plating. Be careful of other companies misplacing your parts or the work not being the quality promised do to companies using subcontractors.

Chrome plated accessories are now being added to the body of semi trucks as an upgrade for its exterior and overall protection to make the owner’s investment last.

Custom chrome plating is a method in which a fine layer of chromium is electroplated onto an object made of metal. There are two forms of the element chrome which the decorative and the industrial form. A large percentage of chrome truck accessories are the decorative type, and truck owners have a choice of how they want to accessorize the exterior of their vehicle. Any part of the truck can be customized according to preferences.

The process usually includes two fundamental chrome plating solutions. These central solutions aid in the plating process for truck and other vehicle accessories. Custom chrome plating is defined by extensive, detailed work.

Big rig owners often desire an affordable upgrade for the vehicle that would result in a noticeably refined look. A vehicle with added features of chrome truck accessories gives it a smooth and refined finish that satisfies its owner. The exterior defines the truck as a high performance vehicle. The level of durability in the finished product is favorable to all owners and it is custom designed so as to fit in with any vehicle it is applied to.

Chrome truck accessories can endure decades of weathering and other elements and every section is custom engineered so that it can comply with each application to fit perfectly.

At times during installation, adhesive tape is used to fit chrome truck accessories securely to the vehicle for an easier application. Custom drill accessories are available for installation as well, but it is up to the vehicle owner whether they would like it installed or not.

Chrome truck accessories help to decrease the amount of heat the vehicle absorbs in high temperature environments. They also add great quality and protection to the truck’s exterior. The accessories are able to function over a long time span and the cleaning process is easy as well. They are available for installation for tailgate handle, door lever, mirror and fuel door covers. Owners will appreciate all of the benefits that come with chrome plating and the lasting effect it has on the investment they made on their truck.

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If interested in acquiring such a unique wheel, contact Doug at MAD Motorcycles at

(657) 600-1475.

The powder is made of small resin and pigment particles. During application, these small particles require electroplating services that is sprayed on to the metal to coat it. Since the powder carries a charge and the metal is grounded, it adheres to the surface. It is then heated to fuse the finish to the metal, which results in a durable smooth finish. The end result is a high-quality smooth finish that not only looks great, but it also protects the metal. Powder coating is a popular finish option in North America, and more than 10 percent of all finished metal uses this application process.

Powder coating is so popular because it lasts a long time and is economical, which makes it an ideal choice for powder coated rims. This process also gives manufacturers and consumers a wide variety of colors to choose from for the final piece. This coating is also durable because it resists fading, scratching, chipping and other signs of wear. It can be applied in a gloss, satin, flat, high gloss, metallic, clear or glitter finish. Colors last longer and do not fade like other finishes can. It can also be used for different finishes like wrinkled, smooth or rough.

Powder coating is also environmentally friendly. Other finishes use solvents that contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Since powder coating doesn’t contain a solvent, it has almost not VOCs. Companies can save money by not using expensive pollution control equipment when they use powder coating.

Since powder coating doesn’t use VOCs and uses less water than other sealers, it helps companies comply with the EPA. Strict regulation from the EPA is part of the reason this type of finish has become popular in the last three decades.

Powder coating is used on door handles, wheels, bumpers, auto accents, filters, engine parts, truck beds and radiators. A clear powder coat can also be used to protect the finish on painted car parts. Powder coated rims hold up to wear better than other finishes.

Your vehicle is a major investment. When you trust the repairs to just anyone, you may end up with a less than quality chrome wheel repair. With over 75 years of combined experience, our alloy wheel repair specialists use state-of-the-art tools to complete your wheel repair.

We provide an array of rim and wheel repair services, including refinishing, bent rim repair, straightening, aluminum wheel repair, painting, powder coating, cracked repair, mobile services, bent wheels, reconditioning, scratches, scrapes, scruffs, curb damage, repainting and more. Our rim and restoration services can help you restore your auto or motorcycle to its original condition.

Instead of buying a new set of wheels, you can have wheel repair completed and save money.

Your wheels will look as good as new once our alloy wheel repair specialists complete your chrome wheel repair project.

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When trucking and construction mogul Mike Harrah needed some chrome work on his latest pet project, who did he go to?  Why South Bay Chrome, of course!  Thor is the name of what will some day most likely be the biggest semi-truck motor known to man!

This thing has 24 cylinders, 1,704 cubic inches, 12 GMC superchargers (blowers), 8 nitrous bottles and it runs!  Why build such a beast?  “Because I can,” Harrah says.  There’s no other reason to take a 24V71 and build an intake manifold that weighs 1,000 pounds and mount eight 6-71 superchargers on top of four others.  This is a V24 Detroit Diesel (normally used to power ships) which is two V12 Detroits joined together nose to nose with splined cranks. 

This Peterbilt semi-truck will some day be on the show circuit but it’s no trailer queen.  There’s already a YouTube video showing when they started this thing up for the first time!  He claims the motor makes more than 3,400 hp and with the Allison transmission, the whole thing weighs over 9,800 pounds.  Of course, the “stretched” cab will house some insane creature comforts as well including a huge flat screen and luxurious traveling compartments.

This mammoth has already been featured in Hot Rod magazine and we will continue to provide updates as Mike’s team moves forward with Thor’s completion.  Mike Harrah, who owns several properties in the local Santa Ana area, was nice enough to provide some early stage photos of the project and the first bit of our completed chrome work.  Stay tuned!

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