Written by Martin Hodgson
2019 has been a tough year for those facing wildfires, from Europe to Australia’s East Coast, California to the vast Amazon jungle, the devastation has been immense. But while many of us live in harms way, when it’s time to flee there is another group heading towards the flames. The brave men and women of the world’s fire fighting community are truly owed a debt of gratitude. But what do they do to wind down when it’s all over" For Germany’s Chris Scholtka his life long passion for bikes provides the escape and from his Motocrew workshop in his spare time he’s turn out this ‘Black Villain’ beast from the bones of a 2015 Ducati Scrambler.

Chris started his journey in motorcycles before he was even old enough for school, racing motocross at just five years old. Turns out he can really twist the throttle, going professional on the German circuit before he was 18. However a cruel crash ended his career with a broken neck and thankfully he’d eventually heal. But looking for a new path in life he signed up to serve his community as a firefighter in the town of Cottbus, between Berlin and Dresden. ? I love my job, but I needed to do some handcrafted things in between and this is why I build bikes!? smiles Chris.
Turns out like everything else he does, he’s got a serious skill for bike building and four years ago the Motocrew was formed. Inspired by the likes of Hookie Co. & Vagabund M...