Performance Machine

U.S. made, 40 years running

Story and photos by M. Stemp

A common complaint you often hear today is, “Nobody makes things is the U.S. anymore.” Sometimes, this kind of statement is also a common excuse to justify the purchase of goods made overseas. Well, contrary to this mindset, here’s news: there are plenty of parts for your Harley made right here in the USA, and you can buy them. Need proof? What about Performance Machine?

Performance Machine is a company that needs no introduction for fans and riders of beautiful, functional V-Twin motorcycles. Since 1970, when Perry Sands started his machine and fabrication shop, the business has put talent for design at the forefront, without compromising quality or function. That intent has resulted in over 40 years of wheels, brakes and controls of renowned quality and compelling style. Add solid function plus state-of-the art engineering and manufacturing to the mix and it’s clear why the company’s reputation has persisted untarnished.

From PM’s early “Stop-Fast” brakes that blew away the meager disc brake offerings at the time, to being the first company to manufacture CNC-machined calipers from solid billet aluminum and forged billet wheels; PM’s operation is rooted in pushing the cus-tom envelope—and they show no signs of stopping.

With PM’s Director of Sales and Marketing Kelli Murrow, we took a walk around the La Palma, CA, facility where the commitment to quality and attention to detail were evident in the both the company’s processes and employees.

An important aspect of PM’s success is found in the company’s DNA: every wheel design is put through rigorous testing before it’s considered for production, though today’s approach is considerably more high-tech than back in the day when Perry simply headed out to the racetrack. PM’s current testing takes place in an in-house facility that is unparalleled and includes torsion, impact and several other procedures to ensure that each design incorporates structural integrity and is properly engineered for optimal real world dependability. Even mirrors are vibration tested for best performance. Performance? That’s right. It’s part of their name, after all.

*RESOURCE
Performance Machine • La Palma, CA
800-479-4037 • www.performancemachine.com

Posted by Sam Kanish

The process begins when U.S.-sourced raw material and locally fabricated billet wheel blanks are received, inspected and staged. Everything is tested thoroughly in the PM garage.

An industry veteran of 25 years inspects an aluminum wheel blank after the lathe operation ensuring all specifications are met before it’s carved into one of PM’s 15 wheel designs.

This beautifully machined Merc Outer Ring will find itself attached to one of PM’s New Merc Air Cleaners in the near future.

At the disc cell every rotor is inspected after assembly to ensure run-out is in spec.

In the temperature controlled Quality Assurance Lab critical dimensions are taken on every PM part to ensure proper fitment once it finds its way to you.

PM is justifiably proud of their polishing shop. The quality of the polished finish is the basis for all else.

PM’s Tool Crib supervisor demonstrates the company’s controlled tool inventory access system. It reads an operator’s fingerprint before dispensing a tool!

A PM employee reviews the product router before moving the part to the next operation, following all processes and procedures for each job.

Each PM wheel design is subjected to four physical tests before it’s approved for production. Here, weight is applied to a prototype to ensure it will perform in real world riding conditions.