Despite his departure from aggressive riding, Chris never lost his passion for biking. With a “nothing ventured, nothing gained” attitude, he combined his skills learned as a mechanic with those honed through his chosen profession to successfully complete his inaugural project in 2016, marking a milestone in his career. The bike he built was so effective that it wasn’t long before his friends were requesting custom builds from him. Two years ago, Chris embarked on his inaugural project as a professional buyer’s representative, marking the genesis of his ‘Motocrew’ brand.
Given the predominantly German focus of his business, each component developed by Chris must conform to the rigorous standards of the German Technical Inspection Association’s (TÜV) certification system. Regardless of its perceived significance, the TÜV system garners widespread disdain from many custom automotive enthusiasts. However, the costs associated with obtaining TÜV certification and the rigid nature of the underlying frameworks contribute to this outcome. Even with a profound comprehension of legal principles, the ability to craft revisions that conform to those principles, and the perseverance to navigate the often daunting process, almost anything becomes achievable.
Chris has invested considerable time in understanding the TÜV system, having devoted himself to learning its intricacies. When he accepts an undertaking, he meticulously considers all the ways to ensure every aspect is thoroughly legitimized and above board. While this requires an additional investment of both time and resources, the returns on his endeavors are undeniable.
With meticulous attention to detail, Chris’s personally owned 2013 Ducati 848 Evo exemplifies his commitment to rigorous maintenance and compliance with TÜV standards. In December 2020, he purchased the bike from an experienced racing enthusiast who had thoroughly tested its capabilities, pushing it to its limits. After that, he meticulously readied the bike for avenue use once again, and made some subtle refinements to personalize it as his own.
Completed in a stunning silver coat, his 848 hit the streets in 2021, embodying an angular neo-retro cafe racer aesthetic. Regardless of its effectiveness, his plan for the completed bike was always something else. “With a long-standing passion project in mind, Chris has always envisioned his bike equipped with an ’80s-style fairing.” “While navigating Germany’s regulatory hurdles proved challenging, Chris ultimately decided to take matters into his own hands after a year of biking. He then embarked on a project to transform his beloved 848 into a sleek retro-inspired racing machine.”
Throughout the initial phase of the project, Chris had already addressed several of the adjustments presented here. After a thorough revamp, the engine was rejuvenated and ready to start anew. Crafted a bespoke subframe that embodies his signature style, fabricating it from high-grade chrome steel and elevating the overall design with a luxurious Alcantara-covered seat tailored to perfection. The bespoke exhaust system, built by hand with meticulous care, not only amplifies the engine’s power but also cleverly conceals the Ducati’s intricate array of electrical components.
Chris fine-tuned the bike’s sleek silhouette by installing miniature Motogadget mo.blaze ten flip indicators that perfectly complemented its streamlined design. Located at the rear of the vehicle, these LED indicators serve a dual purpose by functioning as both brake lights and turn signals, cleverly integrated onto a bespoke-regulator-plate-compatible wheel cover. The bike’s distinctive clip-on handlebars have been fitted with premium components from Hookie Co. Fitted with custom-made Moto Crew inserts to personalize these frozen grips.
Chris was thrilled with the 848’s ample power output of 140 horsepower, which exceeded his expectations and provided more than enough muscle to meet his needs. Modifying engines has historically been a significant challenge when seeking to pass TÜV inspections. Chris limited the modifications to a bespoke exhaust system. The innovative system was crafted from the ground up using high-quality chrome steel tubing, comprising 75 intricately cut and precision-welded components that were carefully assembled to form a single, seamless entity. Among the distinct 848 cans, Chris meticulously selected a single muffler to fit harmoniously beneath the newly designed subframe. The process entailed a diligent focus on monitoring the system’s volume, as excessive noise from pipes was another critical TÜV performance indicator.
The striking aspect of the 848’s latest redesign is the incorporation of a nostalgic intake cowl, which, unlike its predecessor, no longer attaches via bolts but requires a more laborious installation process. Chris recounts acquiring a vintage ’80s Kawasaki racing fairing, which proved to be a complex process from start to finish as he navigated every hurdle in mounting it onto his Ducati.
The 40-year-old fairing was removed from the symmetrical design. Before Chris can even think about mounting the object, he must first take the time to revive and shape it into its original form. Immediately following project completion, he turned his attention to crafting bespoke brackets to stabilize the structure in situ. To avoid potential issues with the TÜV certification process, he deliberately overspecified the system’s design to ensure compliance with regulations. Despite the examination’s initial focus on one issue, another grave challenge emerged during the assessment process.
Chris recalls that a notable drawback was the difficulty in concealing the innovative cooling mechanism. Initially, it seemed a straightforward endeavor: obtaining a custom-made radiator to fit precisely beneath the fairing. But, surprisingly, this humble quest turned out to be a challenge in Germany, where the art of crafting bespoke radiators was rapidly fading away. After devoting days to searching, Chris finally found a skilled craftsman capable of completing the task, albeit at a higher cost than initially anticipated. Finally, after an inordinate delay and a substantial investment of €1,000, the brand-new radiator arrived, enabling him to meticulously install both components exactly as planned.
To elevate the performance of my 848, I decided to upgrade its handling by thoroughly modernizing the suspension using high-quality components from Touratech’s premium Black-T city range. The rear suspension features a Black-T mono-shock with a remote reservoir, while the front fork setup utilizes the 848’s components, incorporating progressively sprung Black-T internals for enhanced performance and control.
The high-intensity LEDs are discreetly housed in the fairing’s lip, providing subtle yet effective illumination. With a lightweight Noco lithium battery securely attached to the bike’s frame, he complemented the sleek design by painting the subframe, gas tank, and new fairing a pristine white. With the bodywork reworked into a playful blend of tongue-in-cheek racing stripes and minimal logos from key component suppliers, the Ducati’s track-focused aesthetic was expertly emphasized.
After each component was meticulously tailored to Chris’ precise specifications, the next step was to present the entire package to the local TÜV agency for thorough inspection and official certification. As the TÜV inspector meticulously examined every detail of Chris’s 848, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of trepidation, despite having taken great care to build the bike precisely to spec. Fortunately, all his laborious work ultimately paid off, as this Ducati cafe racer has been fully authorized for the open road.
While an unusual construction might always draw attention on the road, it’s sure to captivate passersby in places like Germany where strict registration rules exist.
Pictures by Kyle Reim
