The first time I got to appreciate Winges’ work was at Art & Wheels Basel in 2018. Unfortunately, the event no longer exists, but it remains a highlight in the European custom bike scene.Back then, Winges brought a chopper based on an Ironhead, already featuring a number of homemade parts, which immediately caught everyone’s attention.
His latest project has been built around a 1980 Shovelhead engine, which he spent two years planning and building by hand. We had the chance to talk about his bike during the Punta Event and to observe all the small, handmade details.
Winges full custom 1980 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead Chopper.
BUILDING A CHOPPER FROM SCRATCH
Tucked away in his small personal workshop, no fancy machines, no professional equipment, Pierre-Yves Wingerter, better known in the scene as “Winges,” has spent the last two years shaping a motorcycle that carries his soul. A lifelong passion, born back in his teenage years, has always kept him close to bikes. Riding them, fixing them, tearing them apart just to rebuild them better. But this time, the dream went further: building a bike from scratch, with his own hands, that would truly be his.
So many details.
Every inch of the machine tells that story. From the handmade frame and springer fork to the custom exhausts, controls, handlebars, oil tank, footpegs, and even the spacers and sissy bar, nothing was left untouched and 90% of this Shovel’s parts are hand made. Every stainless-steel detail bears the mark of hours of patience and raw craftsmanship. The only exceptions? A Lowbrow Customs rear fender, gas tank and front wheel.
Super Narrow Frisco Mount Sportster Tank, Stingray Rear Fender, Lowbrow Customs Spool Hub 21", Kustom Tech Deluxe Clutch Lever. Everything else is Custom made
After all those months of thinking, welding, cutting, and assembling, the bike was finally finished. Well… finished as a mock-up, at least. The finishing touch came from Avat’art Strasbourg, who laid down a stunning silver leaf paint job to make the bike shine like no other. What makes Winges proud isn’t just the clean, flowing line of the frame, but the countless details hidden in plain sight, the kind only a true craftsman would obsess over. This chopper isn’t just metal and chrome; it’s two years of sweat, stubbornness, and passion forged into a rolling work of art.
A rolling work of art.
And the world has noticed. Winges’ creation took home first place at the Big Twin Show in the Netherlands and at the legendary Punta International, victories all the more meaningful because he stood shoulder to shoulder with seasoned professionals, and still came out on top. For an amateur working out of a humble workshop, it’s both a victory and a reminder that the best rides are built, not bought.
Photos and words by: Mike Maur
Bike Build by: Winges (@winges_garage)
Winges, winning at Punta best chopper this year.
WINGES' 1980 HARLEY SHOVELHEAD BUILD SPECS
GENERAL:
Owner: Pierre-Yves Wingerter aka Winges
Year/Make/Model: 1980 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead
Fabrication: Winges
Build Time: 2 Years
80 Cubic Inch
ENGINE:
Year/Type/Size: 1980 / Harley-Davidson Shovelhead / 80CI
Carburetor: Keihin CV40
Exhaust: Custom Stainless Steel Hand made by Winges
Air Cleaner: Bird Deflector
Fully Custom Frame
FRAME:
Year/Type: Custom
Rake/Stretch: Non Disclosed
Custom Springer Front End
FRONT END:
Type/Brand: Custom Springer
21" Lowbrow Spool Hub wrapped in Avon Speed Master 21" Tire
Custom 16" rear wheel wrapped in a Shinko 270 16" Tire
WHEELS:
Front Size: 21" Lowbrow Spool Hub / Avon Speed Master 3.00-21 Tire
Rear Size: 16" Custom / Shinko 270 5.00-16 Tire
Paint by David Avat
FINISH/PAINT:
Paint BY: David Avat Art Custom Painting
Plating/Polishing:
Powedercoating: N/A
Custom Sprocket / Rotor all in one.
ACCESSORIES:
Front Fender: Nope
Rear Fender: Lowbrow Customs 6" Stingray Fender.
Gas Tank: Lowbrow Customs Frisco Mounted Super Narrow 1.6 Gallon Sportster Tank
Handlebars: Custom Mini Apes by Winges
Grips: Custom Aluminium by Winges
Mirrors: Nope
Hand Controls: Kustom Tech 1" Deluxe Clutch Lever
Foot Controls: Custom Stainless by Winges
Headlight: Dual For Reverse Lights
Tail Light: Custom Mini LED
Turn Signals: Nope
License Plate Mount: Custom
Seat: Custom Hinged Sprung Solo Seat
Brakes: Custom Single Rotor / Sprocket
Fully Custom 1980 Harley-Davidson Shovel by Winges
Custom Kicker Pedal.
Custom Stainless Steel Foot Controls.
Dual Ford Reverse Lights as headlights.
Custom Top Motor Mount.
Check out those Fender mounts!
Custom Seat hinge with a radius matching the curve in the frame.
The Perfect Stance.
Really killer deign on the headlight mounts.
Custom top clamp on the custom springer.
Custom Exhaust and Oil tank.
Super Narrow Frisco Sportster Tank.
Whole new meaning to open primary!
Winges and his Show winning Shovelhead.
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