Where to Find the Best Custom Bike Builders in Wisconsin
Trusted Picks from Riders Who Know the Difference
There’s wrenching… and then there’s building.
If you’re a Wisconsin rider dreaming of something one-of-a-kind—something loud, fast, beautiful, or just plain yours—this page is for you. We’ve rounded up the most trusted custom motorcycle builders across Wisconsin, from small-town legends to nationally recognized shops. These aren’t cookie-cutter garages or bolt-on part slingers. These are artists, engineers, and craftspeople who live and breathe bikes.
Whether you’re chasing a fully custom bagger, a performance monster, a vintage café racer, or just want someone who can turn your vision into reality, these are the shops that deliver. And because we’re Wisconsin’s Motorcycle Law Firm, we don’t just respect these builders—we’re proud to support them.
Top Custom Motorcycle Builders in Wisconsin
Milwaukee Custom Cycles – Waukesha
📍 milwaukeecustomcycles.com
Known for: Custom Harley baggers, full builds, and jaw-dropping show bikes
Milwaukee Custom Cycles has earned serious respect not just across Wisconsin, but all over the country. Specializing in Harley-Davidson baggers and full-blown customs, this is the kind of shop you go to when you want a bike that makes people stop and stare. Their craftsmanship is second to none, and their communication with customers is top-tier.
Whether you’re after a low-slung, stretched-out bagger or a street-ready custom with personal touches, they’ll bring your vision to life—exactly the way you imagined it.
“Your work and personality speak volumes. Building a bike with you was a true pleasure.” – Customer testimonial
Pokerville Ironworks – Mt. Horeb
📍 pokervilleironworks.com
Known for: Full-service Harley builds, welding, painting, and vintage hot rods
Pokerville Ironworks is a name you’ll hear anytime riders in southern Wisconsin start talking about real-deal builders. This isn’t just a bike shop—it’s a full fabrication studio. They handle everything from TIG welding and frame mods to flawless custom paint jobs and detailing.
The shop has a reputation for treating every customer with respect—no matter if you’re in for a full custom build or just want to tweak your pipes. And if you’re a gearhead who loves both bikes and muscle cars? You’ll feel right at home.
“Nothing leaves our shop until it is completed properly.” – Pokerville Ironworks
Gilby’s Street Department – Hudson
📍 gilbysstreetdept.com
Known for: Award-winning builds, custom paint, dyno tuning
Ask around in the Midwest and Gilby’s name will come up. This is a builder who’s earned legendary status for good reason. Gilby himself is a master of both paint and mechanical fabrication, and the bikes that roll out of this shop are flat-out stunning.
Want a piece of rolling art that can also rip down the freeway? Want to dominate the next local bike show? Gilby’s Street Department should be on your shortlist.
“Gilby is a true artist with paint and mechanical fabrication.” – Customer review
Nowaskey Extreme Performance – Menomonie
📍 nowaskey.com
Known for: King of the Baggers race builds, suspension upgrades, dyno tuning
Pete “Pistol Pete” Nowaskey and his team don’t just build bikes—they build weapons. Known for their work in the King of the Baggers race series, Nowaskey Extreme Performance specializes in high-performance Harleys, turbo installs, and full engine builds designed for serious speed.
If you want a race-tuned bagger with carbon wheels, upgraded suspension, and a roar that clears traffic, this is your shop. And the best part? Pete still takes the time to talk shop with customers—whether you’re a racer or just a weekend warrior looking to add some serious punch to your ride.
“Pete has become one of the best tuners in the U.S.” – Industry praise
Godffery’s Garage – Burlington
📍 godfferysgarage.com
Known for: Vintage customs, café racers, restorations
This is where old-school soul meets design-forward vision. If you’re into vintage Hondas, classic Ducatis, or stripped-down café racers with modern tech, Godffery’s Garage is the place to go. Godffery’s background in industrial design and his time at Buell give him an edge you won’t find elsewhere.
His builds are clean, functional, and stunning. Whether you're restoring a barn find or building something truly unique from scratch, you’ll get thoughtful design and high-performance results.
“He made the impossible, possible. Spectacular work and customer service.” – Customer review
Rosholt Motorcycle Company – Rosholt
📍 rosholtmotorcycleofwi.com
Known for: Harley engine/transmission rebuilds, in-house machine work
While Rosholt Motorcycle Company isn’t exclusively a custom builder, their work lays the foundation for a rock-solid custom bike. Their team handles engine and transmission rebuilds in-house using high-quality parts and years of mechanical know-how. If your build needs a bulletproof motor, this is where you go.
The vibe is small-town honest with big-league capability. And because they do all their machining in-house, the turnaround times and quality control are tough to beat.
“All our engine and transmission rebuilding is done on site in our own machine shop.” – Rosholt Motorcycle Co.
What to Look for in a Custom Motorcycle Builder
Choosing the right builder isn’t just about price or location. It’s about finding someone who gets your vision and has the skills to bring it to life. Here are a few tips to make sure your custom build doesn’t turn into a money pit:
Check their portfolio. Great builders love to show off their work. Browse their website and social media for past builds that align with your style.
Talk to former customers. Ask around at local events or online forums. Word-of-mouth is still king in the motorcycle world.
Look for hands-on owners. The best builders are usually deeply involved in each project—not just delegating everything to techs.
Ask about wait times. Good shops are busy. If someone can start your full custom build tomorrow, ask why.
Set a clear budget. Custom work can get expensive fast. Make sure expectations are aligned from day one.
Building in Wisconsin: Local Vibe, National Quality
Wisconsin has always been more than just the birthplace of Harley-Davidson. It’s a state full of riders who know their machines and care about craftsmanship. From backroads in the Driftless to downtown Milwaukee, there’s a deep appreciation here for motorcycles that are built right.
Custom builders in Wisconsin aren’t just slapping on chrome and calling it a day. They’re fabricators. Tuners. Artists. Some of the best in the country live right here—and if you're lucky enough to work with them, you'll roll out with a bike that’s truly one of a kind.
Need Help After a Custom Bike Crash?
Here’s the hard truth: No matter how carefully your custom build is crafted, no one’s immune to careless drivers, bad road design, or insurance games after a crash.
If your custom motorcycle gets wrecked—or worse, you get hurt—don’t trust the insurance company to understand what your bike was worth. They’ll try to treat your $30,000 custom build like it’s a stock Sportster. That’s where we come in.
At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we’ve helped riders recover for custom parts, aftermarket upgrades, and even the blood, sweat, and years they poured into a one-of-a-kind build. We know what your bike means to you—and we’ll fight like hell to make sure that value is respected.
Have a Builder to Recommend?
We built this list based on what we’ve heard from real riders across the state. But we know it’s not complete. If you’ve got a shop you swear by—or if you’re a builder doing standout work—we want to hear from you. Reach out, and we’ll keep growing this page to support the best Wisconsin has to offer. Email us at contact@wisconsinsmotorcyclelawfirm.com.
Want to talk bikes or get help after a crash?
Reach out for a free, confidential case evaluation. Whether you’re trying to get paid for a wrecked custom or looking for someone who actually understands the value of your build, we’ve got your back.