Mike Colarik already was an owner of an Exile bike when he happened to walk into the shop as a bike was being finished for Billie Joe Armstrong, lead singer and guitarist for the band Green Day. Apparently he couldn’t take his eyes off of it and wanted to buy it on the spot. When he was informed that it was a done deal, Mike didn’t hesitate and commissioned Exile to build him one just like it. Well almost anyway, major change being a silver stripe instead of the orange one on Billie Joe’s bike. Can’t blame him a bit, this bike just makes you want to hit the button, slam it in gear, and burn rubber on a trip to nowhere in particular.
If Bullfighter-R looks a bit familiar, that’s because it is. “Basically the original Bullfighter was something I did quite a few years ago and it was a tweaked-up stock Harley motor and not so hardcore as this,” said Russell. “This is a refined version of it as it were.” Based on an Exile frame by Daytec with a mild 32-degree rake, it’s a custom with frame dimensions quite similar to a stock H-D. Exile Sani-Trees with Harley lower legs are spread wide to accommodate the 200mm Metzeler front tire. A 40 spoke 15” Exile Monster wheel that’s 5” wide and powdercoated black only accentuates the massive rubber look; no 21” skinny thing need apply here. “You might say of the fat front tire steamroller effect, get out of the way, this thing’s coming through,” said Russell. It’s nicely balanced by the 230mm Avon in back that envelopes a 7” wide wheel giving the bike a look that Russell says is, “Larger than life and tougher than nails.” Unlike the trouble Austin Powers had stopping his runaway steamroller, Exile’s four-piston caliper squeezing an 11.5” rotor up front and their ever popular Sprotor setup aft combined with the huge rubber footprint this bike lays down should allow any of Dr. Evil’s terrified henchmen to get out of the way safely.
It wouldn’t be a hardcore Exile bike without some sort of hardcore power and the TP 121” brute Russell chose handles any hooligan task it’s asked to perform. An S&S Super G sits underneath the only potential piece of ornamentation on this bike, a simple teardrop trademark Exile air cleaner with their logo embellishing it. Exile Monster Drag Pipes are tucked in nicely and let everybody know Mike’s in the neighborhood. Primo’s open belt drive transfers TP power to a tough JIMS RSD 6-speed which spins a seemingly Exile mandatory chain drive. Simple, tough, and proven drivetrain components back Russell’s claims of this bike as a capable road burner.
Exile’s sportster bars provide a comfortable riding position and mount Jay Brake controls while Exile foot controls do what they have to. A real man’s ass sized sprung saddle does its best to smooth out the rigid-induced jolts and sits comfortably between the bars and foot controls. “The nice thing about this particular bike is that it’s close enough to a stock bike that almost anybody can say, Oh, I see myself riding that,” said Russell. The cool part of all this tough guy user friendliness is that there’s a number of women riders who’ve found this package appealing too, although I’d suggest holding the catcalls if you spot one.
Minimalist Exile bodywork consists of a King Sportster tank, an Exile oil bag, and Exile Trojan fenders front and rear. Obviously the paint by Tony Marcus consists of black pigment, but the matte silver racing-style stripe is a bit of a departure in the no-graphics ever nature of Exile aesthetics. Another radical-for-Russell change is the aircraft-style gas cap. Hey, things change slowly, very slowly, in North Hollywood contrary to popular belief. A tiny set of tucked-in SJP headlights and a Lazer Star taillight gets you legal and ready to roll.
Want a Bullfighter-R of your own? Exile offers these and other models in one of the most thorough kits ever offered. “We create every part and every fabrication step he needs, so it’s exactly the same as if we were building the customer’s bike except at the point of paint, we send the bike to the customer, the customer paints it, the customer bolts it together, and the customer saves himself around $20,000. A substantial amount of money,” said Russell. Complete kits start at $23,000. To own a real Exile bike, check out www.exilecycles.com for more info.
Up Close: Exile Wheels
If you’ve watched Speed Channel’s Build or Bust, you’ve seen that the build breaker usually involves having to lace a set of Exile style wheels. Hey, why go through that torture when you can get a set of those Monster Wheels directly from Exile already laced-up in the size and finish you want? Standard features include a polished aluminum rim, huge ¼” stainless steel spokes, single or dual flange billet hubs with sealed bearings, and finish options include anodizing, powdercoating, and chrome. Wheel prices also include a proper tire and range in price from a 21” at $999 to an 18”x 8” wheel with a 240mm or 250mm tire. Surf the California coast at www.exilecycles.com or call 818-255-3330 to order yours.
Builder: Russell Mitchell, Exile Cycles
In what’s generally considered a tough time in the industry for most builders, Exile Cycles seems to be thriving in spite of it. Personally, I think this is because of Russell Mitchell’s vision of what Exile is and how it’s never veered from that vision. “We can pull it off because our aesthetic is so defined, we’re not competing with anyone else in the marketplace,” said Russell. “If you want an Exile cycle, you got one phone number, that’s it. We’re operating on the periphery of the whole bike scene.” Defining that aesthetic, Russell said, “I predicted when I got involved in the bike scene at a more knowledgeable level of what was going on around the country that the bike scene would gravitate towards the more practical, usable, tasteful end of the spectrum. A little like the way the hot rod scene has matured. It amazes me that the bike scene has still got so much gaudiness built into it.” Exile’s continuing success in the face of adversity seems to prove him correct.
That doesn’t mean Exile is stuck in one spot, as witness Russell’s radical departure from Exile’s rigid frame formula with the RX-Streetfighter full suspension bike featuring carbon fiber wheels and parts. This is no TV induced showboat, but a practical evolution of Exile’s concept of true custom bikes that can be ridden and ridden hard. Interestingly, Exile Cycles stands firmly in place while moving ahead at the same time.
SPECIFICATIONS | |
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Year / Make: | 2006 Exile |
Fabrication: | Exile Cycles |
Assembly: | Exile Cycles |
Build time: | 3 months |
Engine: | TP 121” |
Ignition: | Thunderheart |
Carb: | S&S Super G |
Pipes: | Exile Monster Drag Pipes |
Air Cleaner: | Exile Cycles |
Transmission: | JIMS 6-speed |
Primary: | Primo |
Clutch: | Primo |
Frame: | Exile by Daytec |
Rake: | 32-degrees |
Forks: | Exile Sani-Trees w/Harley lower legs |
Front Wheel: | Exile 15×5 Monster Wheel |
Rear Wheel: | Exile 15×7 Monster Wheel |
Front Tire: | 200 Metzeler |
Rear Tire: | 230 Avon |
Front Brake: | Exile 4-piston caliper and 11.5” rotor |
Rear Brake: | Exile Sprocket Brake Kit |
Fuel Tank: | King Sportster |
Oil Tank: |
Exile oilbag |
Fenders: | Exile Trojan fenders |
Handlebars: | Exile sportster bars |
Risers: | Exile weld-on integral risers |
Headlight: | SJP |
Taillight: | Lazer Star |
Hand Controls: | JayBrake |
Foot Controls: | Exile Forwards |
Electrical: | Exile |
Painter: | Tony Markus |
Color: | Black |
Graphics: | Silver Stripe |
Seat: | LePera Suede Top |