Who is Russell Mitchell's Choppers and Motorcycles

Ranked #141 in Cars, #9,430 overall

Color in Exile

What can a bike builder (or rider for that matter) do to make his bike stand out amongst a sea of wild paint and chrome? How about Flat Black paint and Brushed Aluminum!

Meet Russell Mitchell and his self-proclaimed "bastard child of the motorcycle industry" - Exile Cycles.
Although the flat black "Rat Bike" bobber is fairly common place now, it was an anomaly a decade or so ago when Exile was just entering the custom bike scene. But Russell Mitchell's styling is so much more than just flat black paint; it's Hardcore Industrial taken to an extreme: low slung, fat, not mean but definitely no-nonsense.

Nobody did it better than Russell Mitchell then; nobody does it better today.

Exile Cycles

Russell's bikes are clean and tough, usually sporting black paint and brushed metal surfaces.

Take a look:

Exile Cycles' FAT BLOKE

One of Exile Cycles' First

Exile Cycle's FAT BLOKE

More than a decade ago, when motorcycles were enjoying yet another resurgence of popularity, paint and chrome ruled. People just didn't know what to make this monstrous machine - beautiful and ugly at the same time.

Note the Low-Slung/Fat Stance, Black Paint, Brushed Metal and general attitude - you may be seeing more of this as you read on!

Exile Cycles' BULLDOZER

Shiny Paint and Polished Steel

Exile Cycle's BULLDOZER

Still no wild paint paint nor chrome, but a little more in line with what people traditionally look for in a motorcycle.

Exile Cycles' MAD MAX

Post-Apocalyptic Surviver in Wrinkle Finish

Exile Cycles' MAD MAX

Still black. Still low-slung. Still tough as ever.

Exile Cycles' TRIKE

Three Wheels and a Grenade Shifter?

Exile Cycle's TRIKE

This was more of a stretch for Russell Mitchell than might at first be obvious. The TRIKE was built as part of the Bikers Build Off challenge; if a builder wanted to win the challenge, he had to willing to think outside of the box.

Exile Cycle bike are clean and industrial looking; having a third wheel and grenade-grip shifter just isn't what they typically do - but so far as trikes go, there is none better.

Exile Cycles' PURE SEX DRAGSTER

Clip-On Handle Bars on a Chopper?

Exile Cycle's Pure Sex Dragster

Now this is a sexy machine!

Exile cycles' STREETFIGHTER

Carbon Fiber 'Tins"

Exile Cycles' RX STREETFIGHTER

This bike shows the true spirit of what Choppers started as: built for speed, no extra weight (no extra anything) with a decided unsociable attitude.

Exile Cycles' HOT ROD

Flames and Red Wheels?

Exile Cycle's HOT ROD

Another Bikers Build Off creation, this was Russell's go at having a little color.
100% Hot Rod!

Exile Cycle Soundoff

What do you think? Are these the coolest cycles, ever?

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It's not a Chopper if it's not chromed!

ToTheBrimm says:

I'll agree, I don't think I'd describe these bikes as being graceful. Of course, with names like "Bulldozer" and "Fat Bloke," I don't think graceful is what Russell had in mind.

Timewarp says:

They're cool but don't have the most graceful lines.

It's better than a Chopper - it's an EXILE!

RidePushMountainRoad says:

Funny how minimalistic designs will stand out in crowd. All eyes would be on any of these bikes at a rally. Nice lens. Will definitely "like" it.

COUNTRYLUTHIER says:

Pure, simply pure! Believe it or not I think I saw one of these in the neighborhood and wondered from whence it came or what it was. Great lens.

TNTbefree says:

They are cool, but I want a two wheel drive Ural with a side car.

bill hicks says:

how much for a bulldozer?

chris phelps says:

FUKIN RITE MATE!!! FROM CHRIS PHELPS OFALLON MO.

 
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Russell Mitchell Links

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Exile Cycles' official website.
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This lens is published as a 3rd party fanpage. Neither Squidoo nor ToTheBrimm is affiliated with Russell Mitchell or Exile Cycles. This lens is not endorsed by Russell Mitchell or Exile Cycles. Many thanks to Exile for providing photos used in this lens.

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BIKES: LA Calendar Motorcycle Show & Concours d' Elegance
Builders scheduled to attend include Shinya Kimura / Chabott Engineering, Jim Guiffra & Spokes models / AFT Customs, Todd Silicato / Todd's Customs, Russell Mitchell / Exile Cycles, Richard Pollock / Mule Motorcycles, Chris Redpath / MotoGPwerks.
2012 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show | Details
Builders scheduled to attend include Shinya Kimura / Chabott Engineering, Jim Guiffra & Spokes models / AFT Customs, Todd Silicato / Todd's Customs, Russell Mitchell / Exile Cycles, Richard Pollock / Mule Motorcycles, Chris Redpath / MotoGPwerks.
PureExileSex



Russell Mitchell is owner and founder of Exile Cycles. His creations are largely responsible for starting of the "dark-customs" trend that is so popular, today. His bikes are characterized by their industrial and minimalistic styling, satin metal finishes rather than chrome, black paint (often flat black), fat bars and low-slung stance. Russell has recently married his long-time girlfriend, Rachel.

Learn about Custom Motorcycle Builders Billy Lane and Indian Larry.

by

ToTheBrimm

Long before Harley Davidson came out with its Dark Custom Series, there was Russell Mitchell and Exile Cycles.
God Bless,
ToTheBrimm
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Russell Mitchell v. the Detroit Brothers