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Cobra Unveils Genesis
2/6/2008
Yorba Linda, CA - This latest custom from the Cobra Special Projects Division, headed by Denny Berg and Ken Boyko is called Genesis. They began with a 2006 Harley-Davidson Dyna crate motor and a 2005 five-speed H-D transmission to create a one-of-a-kind motorcycle in this period of over-the-top, larger-than-life two-wheeled creations.
Genesis breaks from current custom conventions in a couple of ways. First, it's tiny, not much larger than an old 125cc motocross bike. Second it's all motor and that's what drives its design.
"We wanted to use an H-D crate motor for the right look and to show that you could do a lot more than make a gigantic, fat-tired chopper or Bagger with it," said Berg. "What we really had in mind was to revisit those cool West Coast Bay Area streamliner type bikes of the mid-to-late Seventies that Arlen Ness and Billy Budde were building. That's the real genesis of this bike, and we wanted to update that look with better technology and modern thinking. For example, you can see we've centralized the mass of the bike around that great chunk of motor for improved functionality and a classic look."
The classic Brandywine paint and artisan-level gold-leaf scrollwork resonate Genesis being from an earlier time. Berg incorporated the fuel tank beneath the seats smooth one-piece bodywork because the oil tank on the Dyna rests under the transmission. That also allowed Berg to lower the height of the bike considerably. A 17-inch front wheel also helps to tighten up and minimize the overall size of the bike, as does the hand-made exhaust system, which tucks inside the rear frame rails above the rear axle.
The frame, custom built by Berg, uses a single downtube while the top is a perimeter style, wrapping around the top of the cylinder heads. This provides the lateral stiffness required with such a large engine. That engine itself acts as a stressed member of the frame as well which helps to strengthen the chassis as well.
"Anytime you start with that motor, you'll got the correct look,"said Berg, "but you can go anywhere with it. We've got a scooter-sized bike with an 88-inch motor, and that alone is pretty cool."
