Brooks Motor Works

Over the years we have attempted re-chroming of original steel wheels. The failure rate has been an astonishing 60% or more due to the thickness (or lack thereof) of the metal in the nipple area.

The metal there is so thin that after polishing and re-chroming there is not enough metal left to resist even the minimum spoke tension required to build a strong wheel.

Another phenomenon known as hydrogen embrittlement further jeopardizes these rims. This is actually of greater concern than the actual failure, since it is a profound weakening of the tensile strength of the rim.

If this weakened condition does not become evident during the lacing process (a nipple pulling through the rim while tensioning) then it will become evident in some other way, perhaps dangerously so.

We will no longer re-chrome rims, or lace rims which have been re-chromed.

So what about all these perfectly serviceable, but tarnished, original steel rims?

Enter 'Retro Wheels', a cosmetic treatment reminiscent of the rim treatment of the half hub wheels from the 1950s.

A durable black powder coating is applied to the entire rim, then a silver center (or color of your choice) is painted over the center, resulting in a beautiful "retro looking" pair of fully serviceable wheels. A pinstripe in white, or color of your choice, can also be applied at the transition zone, between center and edge.

Contact Us for more information and pricing.