Only just found this thread! Exile bikes are what got me into customising my bike in the first place. I really like the "anti-chrome" look. There is not one Exile bike that I love everything on, but the Fat Bloke comes pretty close. No way could I afford one, and no way could I license it here in Australia, so I'm "Exiling" my '98 Fatboy. I've dulled down all the chrome on the engine etc with scotchbrite and damn it looks good! In fact I've dulled the chrome on everything except the console and front end now and it looks better and better the more I do. I have an SJP front end on the way which will get the dulling treatment, and then this will be one cool looking fatty!

I have emailed Exile about parts several times and they have been really helpful, even telling me where I can buy stuff cheaper than they can supply it! Unfortunately those beautiful Exile forward controls don't fit onto regular Softail frames, so I found some equally cool at Excell.

It really surprises me that so many guys go for the gaudy chrome-everything bikes. They're ok if that's what you like, but I love the minimal, simple bikes with nothing on there that doesn't have to be. I like what Indian Larry did, but those bikes just aren't me. I'll never get why Billy Lane's bikes are so popular but that's cool. But the Exile bikes? They're kinda what I was looking for but didn't even know it 'til I saw 'em.

 

You scotchbrited chrome or polished parts? I assume head-covers, primary cover, etc. I wonder if there's any danger in dulling out chrome like that? I imagine as long as you don't go through the chrome layer to another layer that can corrode. I also like Exiles bikes that have the gray painted parts.. Nice look also. I wish his website bike pics were color instead of black/white, to get a better feel for the color of the engine/frame, etc.

 

Exile bikes are hands down the sexiest bikes around. I bought a night train because it was the most affordable bike that I could get my hands on and customize in the same style as Exile. I've always been a less is more kind of guy. I hate cables and I CANNOT STAND CHROME.

 

Well if you hate chrome, imagine how much cooler your 'train could look if you dulled down the chrome!

Babs I have scotch brited the chrome parts as well as polished. It's what Exile do. As long as you don't go through the chrome you're ok.

 

Wow.. I had no idea.. I thought it was just the cast pieces that were just bare un-plated metal. Learn somethin' every day.

 

Yup. I been planning on doing that to what I don't replace with other parts. I already put wrapped black pipes on the bike. I am just waiting untill I see what is still chrome when I'm done. I got black bars and a red headlight casing on the way with red laced wheels soon to follow.

 

Well I guess it's true that Exile bikes have a lot more alloy parts than the average Harley! But they scotchbrite the bars, primary, rims, etc. And it sure looks great.

 

I've got some older chrome parts lying around like some oem bullet signals a guy gave me that have a scratch or two.. I'll have to try the scotchbrite thing on them to see what it looks like.

 

LOL. I started reading this thread and realized it was started acouple years ago. I absolutely love the exile bikes. The three wheeler is my least favorite, but the steamroller and the fat bloke are by far my favorite. I would have to sell a lung to afford one, but man, are they awsome to look at.

 

I saw that same build off and I see what you are saying about his lack of acceptance for other styles. That being said, I don't think it was so much about everyone else's work being crappy as it was the mismatched collection of parts that went into making a silly looking bike (that was totally fit for that badass bikerHugh King). It would be like making Michaelangelo and Picasso make a painting together. The bike they built was a mismatched monstrosity, and I can't blame him for not wanting his name on it. Iadmire his convicton. I have been in love with his work for probably eight or nine years now. Too bad that his prices are now out of reach for me. Back when I first started following his work, you could have a turn key bike for 30K. Now it isover 30 grandjust to buy the kit and build it yourself.