A Brief Word About Us, Who We Are and What We Do
Let me try to clarify some general points about chroming and correct some misconceptions about our business. We have an interest in a chrome company and use a couple of others as well. What we have learned over the years is that no ONE chromer can do it all, and do it well. Due to differences in racking and fixturing, as well as processes and set up, different chromers and different processes are more suitable for different pieces. For instance, only a hand full of chromers in the nation can do an acceptable job on a VTX wheel. We have used most of them and have paid the price in more way than one. The learning curve has been long and hard and expensive. Many parts need to be machined or prepared well before they get to the chromer. The same guy who may do a marvelous job on wheels may do a terrible job on other things. As an example, we have found ONE chromer who does a good job on right side engine side covers. Yet they do a so-so job on everything else.
Some chromers use acid copper etching, while others use conventional copper flash/bright nickel/and chromium. Some use a dull nickel instead of bright nickel. Others use a proprietary process that just "works". What we have learned is that until you have paid the price and tried them and had your stuff out in the field in use, you never really know if it's going to live or die and trust me, you will live or die right along with it.
The one thing this company is NOT, is a chrome middleman. What we do send out we are very much involved in the production areas, looking at the end product, inspecting, watching, and keeping a close eye on quality control. We are also very involved in the pre-chrome process. We prepare the parts instead of the chromer. We machine them, we prepare them and isolate the areas that are not to be chromed or stripped of subjected to caustic chemicals. This is the reason we are able to do sensitive items without all the horror stories of damage. We do reservoirs without damaging the site glass. We do forks without damaging the inner-machined rod. We do master cylinders without damaging the internal machining and bore. We do final drives without altering the dimensional parameters of the housings. We do wheels without damaging the hub areas which are steel, cast into the aluminum which is damaged if subjected to the same acid strip used on aluminum if not 100% isolated from the solution. It goes on and on.
In addition to chrome, we do full machining. We are able to tear down and rebuild your calipers, final drives, reservoirs, forks, etc. and offer these services and do these by dozens a week. We also provide a full service chrome exchange program for wheels and other OEM parts. We have 1300/1800 wheels in stock. We do run out but, we have at the moment 86 wheels in our system for exchange, not to mention all the customer's wheels we are presently chroming. We stock pretty near EVERY VTX part and lots and lots of them. We have 33 sets of 1800 C calipers in the system. We have 22 sets of 1800 R calipers in the system. We have 18 final drives in the system. I have 8 sets of 1800 forks in the system and on and on. We also stock tons of rotors for a full polishing exchange. Not to mention, the tons of small parts and pieces we offer in chrome. We have made the investment in you and for you. We have paid the price. It has been a very long and slow haul to reach a point where we feel we have it down. Competition is good, but don't expect us to drop our prices or in any way compromise our quality. The day that happens is the day I will sell this business and move on.
I am one of you, a VTX rider and owner. I also have full customizing services for motorcycles and if I build it or sell it, you can count on it being something you can be proud of. If I wouldn't put it on my own bike, it won't go on yours. So that's pretty much it. Don't let the VTX community down and they won't let you down. Loyalty and trust is earned and we're working hard to do just that.
Thank you.
Gateway Xtreme
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