Huge thunderclouds broiled over the North Hollywood, CA headquarters for Exile Cycles, but they were no match for the (gasp, hack, cough) fogbank of vulcanized smoke billowing up into the heavens. An impromptu I-got-more-horsepower/testosterone burn-out competition was in full swing, make that full throttle as the guys from Exile and Scott Long of Central Coast Cycleswere melting their Metzelers and Avons to the cheering crowd who showed up from near and far to congratulate Russell on a decade of masterful, show winning, customer pleasing custom bikes that bear his unique signature of “no frills, more thrills,” a minimalist industro-muscle approach to maximum performance biking pleasure.
We’re talking serious, work class, lung scorching smoky burn-outs. See photos. Yeah, it was way, way cool.)
Several hundreds gathered for the Saturday soiree complete with hard rocking bands and high kicking dancers up on the outdoor industrial stage, while indoors there was a massive display of the leading edge custom bikes brought to the event by Russell’s friends, the likes of which included Arlen and Cory Ness, Billy Lane, Cyril Huze, and Matt Hotch.
We wondered how many knew that the affable Englishman with the radical Mohawk haircut and tons of tats had a radically different “former” life back across the Pond. He was born on a small farming village in western England, was a skateboarding freak, then graduated college as a veterinary surgeon. (No wonder he can perform such miraculous custom bike surgery.)
But he was also partying big time and into the Glam-punk scene of the time and also building custom Lambretta scooters, a major trend in merry ol’ England at the time. His first “custom” in fact was a Lambretta chopper complete with coffin tank, twisted forks and foot-shift. That was in 1983 and his first official “Exile” so-named as he says, because it was “a short, tough, symmetrical word – and it had an 'X' in it!” Its styling broke all the molds and all the rules, a philosophy that would transfer to his custom Harleys including a kick-only Sporty that he transformed into a tough black hardtail in his veterinary surgery waiting room
One day he got “discovered” and began appearing on the morning telly as the TV Vet, and then entered the world of modeling which eventually led to a gig in Los Angeles, now some 15 years ago. In 1991 Russell came to the US and promptly bought a 1987 Softail. In 1994, taking the payment from a Marlboro commercial, he created two identical customs, designing his own parts, learning the skills of welding and machining to get it done. Oddly enough, a chance meeting with our fearless leader Keith “Bandit” Ball who at the time headed up Easyriders got him a feature story published in the mag. As a result of the response from the public, Russell starting building bikes in his garage under the Exile Cycles name.
At the 10th Anniversary celebration, it was obvious that Russell had realized the American dream. One look at his 20,000 sq.ft. facility, the herd of bikes under construction and his dedicated orange-clad staff , tells you that toil and dedication over the past ten years were well spent.
Today Exile Cycles offers a custom parts both line directly or through some 1,000 dealers. They also design and build some twenty complete custom bikes each year, many featured in mags around the world plus Russell and his “band of merry men” have appeared on several Discovery Channel “Biker Build Off” shows as well as the “World Bike Build Off” and Russell now hosts his own show, “Build or Bust,” on the Speed Channel.
The public was invited and the gates were open to each and all which also included several of Russell’s friends that flew across the country to share in the shindig, including a contingent of Sunshine State Master Builders, specifically Eddie Trotta, Billy Lane and Cyril Huze as well as West Coast industry luminaries Arlen and Cory Ness and Matt Hotch.
They were greeted by entertainment that included a series of first class bands including Johnny Day and the old school punk rock Numchucks revving up the sounds while hot barbecue and cold Pabst was served in abundance. “We’re good friends of Russell’s and full supporters of Exile Cycles and all they do,” said Johnny. “As far as making ten years, I think he’ll do 50.” That could be said about all those in attendance, Russell having accrued a large personal and professional following.
Inside the Exile “warehouse” a scintillating smorgasbord of bikes were featured in a special display including bikes by several west coast buildersincluding a pair of stellar bikes rode in by Arlen and Cory. Meanwhile Jesse Rooke rolled in on his radical 950cc KTM powered rocket sled, the bike weighing less than 300 lbs. Also on display were a small herd of Exile’s own bikes, each bearing the lean, clean and mean look and performance that has become Russell’s hallmark as he’s cut his own swath through the custom bike building world.
Russell also received special attention when the lovely ladies of Purrfect Angelz got him up on stage and danced up a storm around, over and under him that rivaled the thunderclouds roiling overhead. The Angelz (our kind of heaven sent versions) kicked high and slithered low much to the enjoyment of all, including Russell, and brought down the house with a smokin’ rendition of “I Love Rock and Roll!”
As the industry movers and shakers were in attendance, discussions included the effects on custom bike building created by the recent EPA impositions.Speaking to the wild mix of bikes, and nationalities represented at the festivities, Cyril Huze, himself French, commented, “I came here first because Russell and I are such good friends. It’s also great to see these new bikes before they even appear in the magazines. I also think we all enrich ourselves and the industry with our differences of culture and bike building philosophies. As far as the EPA concerns, I have been told they are reconsidering their position, and I think we are going to find the freedom we need to continue creating these works of art.”
A good cause clause was added to the event as the partygoers contributedto fight Juvenile Leukemia including forking over serious Benjamin’s forspecially autographed Exile shirts bearing the signatures of the manycustom bike “stars” in attendance. The first shirt, auctioned off by Russell himself (in great emcee form by the way) went for $200 thanks to the generosity of Gary Rowley, who happened to be from England himself. “I’ve loved Russell’s bike since day one! As far as ten years and his success, it’s the American dream come true and congratulations!”
Redneck Engineering’s honcho Vince Doll, in from South Carolina for the party, summed it all up, when asked what he thought of Russell’s tenth anniversary, “The Limey is doing okay. He’s done cool stuff, it’s different, it’s his own style.”
More info at www.exilecycles.com or phone 818-255- 3330.
