Article and Photos By: Missi Shoemaker
Originally Published In The February 2020 Issue Of Cycle Source Magazine
Chris Le Duc started riding about eight years ago, when a friend of his met builder Nick Pensabene of MadPen Cycles and fell in love with motorcycles. That love affair began a trickledown effect and it wasn’t long before Le Duc had his first bike, a Harley-Davidson Sportster. After a few years Le Duc decided it was time to build a custom of his own. Chris picked up this 1976 Shovelhead as a roller in 2013 from his mom’s friend. He had seen it sitting in the back of the garage for quite some time and finally asked if he could buy it. A deal was struck, and Chris found himself the proud new owner of the ‘76. He thought the Shovelhead engine represented what an old Harley was, and he knew he needed it.
The Shovelhead came to him as ratty bike that didn’t run, built on a Paughco frame. He brought it home and immediately tore into it. Not knowing anything about building or restoring bikes he found that he was left with a pile of parts. Around the same time, Nick had just picked up an old Ironhead, so he transferred his pile of parts to his dad’s garage. Pensabene brought his project over and they began building their bikes together. The bike itself has gone through several transformations in the six years that Chris has owned it. At one time the Shovel sported a springer front end, and it has had several different paint jobs.
Le Duc now works in HVAC but has always had a job where he worked with his hands. Chris was eager to fabricate and make his own parts and so he learned how to weld. He acquired a lathe, although I am not sure I am supposed repeat the story of where it came from, let’s just say he went dumpster diving to get it after it was actually thrown out…he and his friends were given the heads up in advance that is was going in the dumpster. With some coaching from a few friends, including Matt Paris and Mike Hendricks of YardRatzFab, he started working with the lathe. Chris started out by learning how to make handlebars and sissy bars and now makes other parts in his shop that he shares with a couple of buddies. They just do it as a hobby, in their spare time, making parts for each other and their friends.
Chris’ Shovelhead, in its current state, was finished in April of 2019 and has many of his own custom parts on it. The handlebars, mids, passenger pegs, top motor mount, taillight, exhaust, seat pan and sissy bar were all fabricated in house. He reworked the Paughco frame, changing the backbone and replacing the front gusset for a cleaner look, and also narrowed the tank. The engine and trans were sent out to Gary The Dutchman who upgraded it to 84ci. The current paint job was done by John Vorrhest of Huntington, NY, and powder coating by Jason at On-Point Powder Coating. The seat was done by Counterbalance Cycles. Having a full-time job, this bike is a labor of love, putting in long nights after work and lots of weekends. As it sits right now, he is pretty happy with it, and he says this is one bike he will never let go. You can keep up with Chris and his fabrication on his Instagram @LeDucweld. Heck maybe you’ll even score some bitchin parts from this home builder! I know we are looking forward to seeing what he comes up with next!
BOTTOM FEEDER TECH SHEET
Owner: Christopher Le Duc
City/State: Long Island New York
Builder: Christopher Le Duc
Year: 1976
Model: H-D Shovelhead
Value: 100 bucks
Time: 1 Year
ENGINE
Year: 1976
Model: Shovelhead
Builder: Garret TerHaar “The Ducthman”
Ignition: Dyna S Electronic
Displacement: 84 inch
Pistons:
Heads: Stock
Carb: S&S Super E
Cam:
Air Cleaner: Velocity Stack
Exhaust: One Off
Primary: BDL 1 1/2 inch Belt Drive
TRANSMISSION
Year: 1976
Make: Harley-Davidson 4 speed
Shifting: 1 Down 3 Up
FRAME
Year:
Model: Paughco
Rake: Stock
Stretch: Stock
Forks
Builder: Harley Davidson
Type: Stock
Triple Trees: Mullins Supper Narrow
Extension: None
WHEELS
Front Wheel:
Size: 21”
Tire: Avon MH90 21 56H
Front Brake: None
Rear Wheel:
Size: 16”
Tire: Dunlop MT90B16 74H
Rear Brake: Harley Davidson Softail
PAINT
Painter: John Voorhest
Color: Teal/White/Gold
Type: Custom
Graphics: Free Hand
Chroming: N/A
ACCESSORIES
Bars: One off Tee bars
Risers: N/A
Hand Controls:
Foot Controls: One off mid controls
Gas Tank(s): Alien Tank Narrowed
Oil Tank: Acme
Front fender: N/A
Rear Fender: Gas box 16 inch
Seat: Counterbalance Cycles(Wes)
Headlight: Led
Tail light: One Off 1 1/4 LED
Speedo: None
Photographer: Missi Shoemaker