Even though they require similar skills, the custom motorcycle and car worlds are vastly different. But they do sometimes meet. In the Czech Republic there?s a modest garage where Harley-Davidsons and Chevrolets stand side-by-side.
Rusty Pistons Garage is a small workshop based in Chlumec nad Cidlinou, a town just east of Prague in the Czech Republic with a population of 5,000. It’s run by Martin Solar, who’s also the sole designer and mechanic, and he loves V-twins and V8s in equal measure.

Other than specialist tasks like CNC-milling and airbrush work, Martin handles everything himself, with help from a friend who pops in on weekends and in the evenings.
The workshop supports the primary Rusty Pistons business?an apparel company producing ?lifestyle garage wear.? This lean, green 2007-model Harley-Davidson Sportster was built as a marketing tool for the brand, but it’s an unusual style for Martin, who usually leans towards bobbers and choppers.
So why build a cafe racer" Simple: Martin literally had a sweet set of wheels kicking around, and needed a project that would do them justice.
?I had an pair of BST carbon wheels lying idle, and it was a shame not to use them,? he says. ?I put the wheels on the assembly table and wondered what to do with them. Since I had never built a cafe racer, I took it as a challenge.?

?I like technology and everything about MotoGP, although I prefer a chopper for riding.?
The 17? wheels were originally meant for...