From selling hard-to-find motorcycle parts out of a nondescript retail building to becoming a global giant of aftermarket parts sales, Custom Chrome (CCI) has helped shape the V-twin market into what we know today. With offices worldwide in California, Germany, Japan, Spain, England, Italy, Slovakia, and France; Custom Chrome has become one of the worldwide leaders of V-twin motorcycle parts and accessories distribution.
Here's the original CCI building on San Carlos St. in San Jose, California. It is now home to a church. Next door you can get an $8 cut.
Here's the original CCI building on San Carlos St. in San Jose, California. It is now home
That first seed of business was born on San Carlos Street in San Jose, California, in 1970 by four friends lead by Nace Panzica, then a 27-year-old mechanic, and industry icon Ty Cruze. The initial startup was set into motion as an opportunity to supply hard-to-find parts for all bikes to the bikers in the burgeoning Bay Area bike scene. Rumor has it that the first part ever sold was, in fact, a handlebar for a Honda! After several years, Nace and Ty bought out the other partners and continued growing the business, often finding themselves working out of their homes as much as the office, proof of which is that the very first CCI catalog, printed in 1973, was pieced together on a kitchen table.
Throughout the '70s, CCI expanded its line of aftermarket parts as the industry grew along with the appetite for motorcycles. Supplying dealers with quality, low-cost parts and accessories, CCI took advantage of the many motorcycle booms throughout the decades, the first coming in the early '70s, as Harley riders wanted better machines with power, and for customizers like Arlen Ness to create something different at every opportunity.
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In 1975 CCI Catalogs were pretty high in demand. So much so that apparently Puller swiped this one from Jim, then someone else swiped it from Puller.
In 1975 CCI Catalogs were pretty high in demand. So much so that apparently Puller swiped
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Seven years later, the cover art for the catalogs got a little more intricate. Eagles, unicorns, and lions were all the rage in 1980.
Seven years later, the cover art for the catalogs got a little more intricate. Eagles, uni
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This was CCI's state-of-the-art R&D center, circa 1984. It was a trucking container. Conditions were tight and hot!
This was CCI's state-of-the-art R&D center, circa 1984. It was a trucking container. Condi
"This is our 40th Anniversary year as well, and I have been with CCI from the beginning," says Ness. "I think the first parts we had with them were some license plate brackets and mirrors."
CCI employees, family, and friends enjoying a foggy, yet scenic, ride along the 101.
During the late '70s and early '80s, CCI continued to expand, setting many industry milestones along the way. CCI was the first parts company to sell more than $1 million in aftermarket accessories, the first to have a dedicated show truck for rallies, and the first to have a dedicated "Dealer Show," a fact that rings important now with the return of that legendary show in 2010. With all this success brought a change of address, to Morgan Hill, California, and a new, larger headquarters housing all aspects of the business including R&D and engineering, along with the usual sales and marketing.
The '90s saw another boom for Harley-Davidsons that fueled more and more aftermarket parts sales, and CCI was in the right place at the right time. This new market growth was spurred on by the rise of, at first, the customized factory Harley and then, during the late 90s and early 2000s, the complete custom bike craze that saw larger, more elaborate machines and even more powerful engines.
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Industry icons Dave Perewitz, John Reed, and Rick Doss were brought on board in the '90s to design parts. Many of their designs are still found in today's catalog.
Industry icons Dave Perewitz, John Reed, and Rick Doss were brought on board in the '90s t
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CCI addressed this change in the market by hiring some of the best-known custom parts designers and bike builders from around the world to supply the company with fresh ideas and products. Industry icons like Dave Perewitz, Rick Doss, and British import John Reed, pushed the boundaries of aftermarket parts design and style, all going right into the CCI catalog, onto the dealer's shelves, and ultimately, onto customer bikes.
After several years in hibernation, CCI brought back its dealer show this year. The show was held in San Jose. On hand was long time CCI supporters Arlen and Cory Ness. Coincidentally, Ness is celebrating 40 years in the industry as well.
After several years in hibernation, CCI brought back its dealer show this year. The show w
In the current decade, the industry has changed once again. Gone it seems are the monster machines, replaced with smaller, more personal bikes, and in a throwback to the past, the H-D stock bike being accessorized, not so much customized. Worldwide influences are taking shape with more and more popular parts coming from Europe and Japan, not just the US.
"We're seeing such a technological influence on our business no matter what country you live in," states CEO Holger Mohr. "In fact, with the internet and social media, every builder, designer, and customer has immediate access to the latest and coolest parts. If a guy in America bought a really cool part, he can share that via the internet, instantly, and his German friend is asking his dealer about it the same day!"