Estonia is one of those countries that are hard to find on a map. (Full Disclosure: we tried and failed.) It?s a compact European republic, bordered by Russia and looking out at Finland across the chilly Baltic Sea.
Despite a tiny population of just 1.3 million, Estonia is also home to one of the best custom builders in Europe?Andres Uibomäe of Renard Speed Shop. We?ve been drooling over his builds for about six years now, but this vintage-styled BMW R90/6 cafe racer is the best yet.

Most R90 customs accentuate the solid mass of the engine with an equally chunky tank, but we love the low-rise, sleek approach chosen by Renard. And there?s a good historical basis for that?with a nod towards the BMW Type 255 Kompressor ridden by Georg ‘Schorsch’ Meier to victory in the 1939 Isle of Man TT. Shop boss Andres wanted to build a bike that was easy to ride and easy on the eye. ?The main goal was to build a factory racer-style bike that still had great riding properties, and I think it turned out great,? he says.

The donor BMW was in good condition, but that didn’t stop Andres and his team from stripping it right down. Then they tackled the bodywork, starting with a fuel tank from a classic Moto Guzzi V7 Special?narrowing and stretching it to refine the shape.
Out back, they?ve slimmed and trimmed the subframe to complement the tank. The tailpiece is an aftermarket fiberglass unit, originally intended for an Aermacchi racer. Renard made it fit, and then sunk...