You'd think that a guy who lives as large as Russell Mitchell would have a huge sign outside of his bike shop; something to tell the world where to find his operation. But in fact, he takes more of a Batcave or Fortress of Solitude Approach. You'll find his shop-Exile Cycles-in North Hollywood, California, but only if you really want to. Why? Because from the outside it looks just like the other surrounding industrial buildings with only its street number and a small Exile logo on one wall to give any indication you've found the place. "We're in an industrial area, so there aren't any walk-in customers," Russell told us, "Anybody coming here has a piece of paper with our address in their hand because they're looking for us specifically."
Pulling into the parking lot you may see a few employee bikes outside, giving you a hint you're in the right place. From there you've got two options: the front door along the sidewalk, or you can walk around back and go in through the garage area. Either works, but the first takes you through the waiting room and past the offices into the shop area, while the second puts you in and amongst all the welding, grinding, and hard work that go into making custom bikes.
Naturally, we took the more direct route, and while the outside may be unobtrusive only a blind pig would say the same thing about the inside (assuming, of course, the sightless swine could talk, but we digress). It's essentially a huge hangar for motorcycles, with the lifts and fabricating equipment all in one large open space, and a few finished bikes sitting in the center. Just around the corner you'll find sets of shelves holding oil tanks, sprotors, and the other signature parts Exile is famous for. Along one wall and off to the side of the shop there are offices for Russell and his sales staff,and a room set aside for Exile apparel. Throughout these rooms you'll find trophies from Exile's 10- year history, including framed magazine stories, photos, and even a large Union Jack with the Exile logo in the center (along the back wall of the storage area).
After scouting the operation we cornered the bike maestro for some Q&A. Russell Mitchell's personal history is well documented; you can find it on his website or in any of a million interviews, and we didn't want to waste your time rehashing it here. Still, we did use this chance to pick his brain a bit. "I got into it for the adrenaline rush of building a vehicle with my own two hands. It's a trip as a bike comes together and I love the rush of watching a new direction come together. This is my art and I love seeing it happen."
But he started out a decade ago-what if he had to do it over again? "I wouldn't have wasted 10 years as a veterinarian and an actor. I'd have undertaken more appropriate studies like engineering and welding certification and so forth. It's been a great ride and we've still got places to go"
And like any artist, he didn't learn his medium in a day. His style evolved over time. "I always felt the simpler the scheme the better. I came to know myself and what I liked as I did it and I love the minimalist aesthetic from the early days in Sweden in Germany. I just ran with the ball."
Style leads to trends, and we asked him for his thoughts on the "next big thing" in the American custom scene. "I'm surprised it hasn't happened yet, but I think it'll be streetfighters. A backlash to the bling-and-glamour choppers. Bikes that are businesslike, fast, and about hooliganism. Less outrageous, pared-down muscle bikes. The carbon-fiber streetfighter we did for Discovery was popular."
And speaking of all the TV attention, he says that the recognition on the street and at shows is gratifying. People come in just to see the shop while visiting Los Angeles, but there is one minor drawback: Filming at the shop can disrupt the work day. But hey, that's the price of fame.