 f a journey of a thousand miles begins just outside your door, you could also say that the path to a thousand customs begins with the iconic Harley-Davidson motor. Genesis, the latest custom from the Cobra Special Projects Division, headed by Denny Berg and Ken Boyko is the perfect case in point. Starting with a 2006 Harley-Davidson Dyna crate motor and a 2005 five-speed Harley transmission, Berg and Boyko have created a truly unique motorcycle in this golden age of custom-build two-wheeled creations.
Look closely and you’ll notice quite a few things that make this motorcycle unlike any other you’ve seen in a long time. 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 Harley 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 West Coast Bay Area cool streamliner type bikes of the mid-to-late 70s that Arlen Ness and Billy Budde were building. That’s the origin 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 great look.”
With its one-piece body and brandywine paint and gold leaf scrollwork, Genesis indeed looks like something from another time. The bodywork incorporates the fuel tank beneath the seat because the oil tank on the Dyna is under the transmission. That allowed Berg to lower the height of the bike considerably. The 17-inch front wheel also tightens up and helps shrink the package.
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 quite of bit of lateral stiffness. The engine acts as a stressed member of the frame as well which helps to strengthen the chassis.
“When you start with that motor, you’ve got the correct look,” said Berg, “but you can go anywhere with it. We’ve got a 125cc-sized bike with an 88-inch motor, and that alone is pretty cool. And it’s a lot more like the bikes of the past too.” 
Project Name: ‘08 Project Harley
Project Completed: Jan. ‘08
GENERAL INFO:
Design: Ken Boyko/Denny Berg, Cobra Special Projects Division
Fabrication: Denny Berg CSPD
Paint: House of Kolor, Candy Brandywine over silver base, variegated gold-leaf design with pin-striping
Chrome, Polishing: Precision Plating, Yucca Valley, Cal. & G.Q.I. Polishing, Palm Springs, CA.
Assembly Time: 8 months
Make & Model: Cobra Special Projects Concept Model
ENGINE: ‘06 H.D. Dyna, ‘05 Dyna trans
Modifications: Denny Berg CSPD, Engine blueprinted, polished cases, chromed hardware, custom remote oil filter, V-Tec ignition, Joker Machine cam cover and hydraulic-clutch gearbox cover
Pipes: Denny Berg, C.S.P.D.
Carburetion: Mikuni HSR 45, 70’s Weber air filter
CHASSIS:
Type: Denny Berg CSPD, 7/8-in. tubing, rigid, single 1.75-in. downtube, perimeter frame, 40 degree rake, engine is stressed member, laser-jigged
Modifications: All custom from Paughco neck
SUSPENSION:
Forks: Durfee Girder, modified trees and link bars, 2-in. under-stock, chromed
Rear: 20 lbs. air pressure in rear tire…
WHEELS:
Front: 1.40X17-in. polished Excel aluminum rim, polished stainless steel spokes, Performance Machine spool hub, Michelin 2.3/70-17 tire, Knuckle-head hub covers
Fr. Brakes: None
Rear: 2.50X18-in. polished Excel aluminum rim, polished stainless steel spokes, Performance Machine sprocket/rotor hub, Michelin Pilot 130/70-18 tire
Rr. Brakes: Performance Machine stainless steel sprocket/rotor with, 4-piston caliper
Driveline: Belt Drive Limited 1.5-inch belt primary/clutch, Tsubaki O-Ring chain
ACCESSORIES:
Bars: Denny Berg CSPD, internal wiring, 70’s 2-in. risers
Controls: Joker Machine master cylinders, throttle, mirror & switch, rear brake controlled by right-hand m/cylinder
Instruments: telepathic & intuitive
Tank: Denny Berg CSPD, composite one-piece body, 2.2 gal. fuel tank under the seat
Fenders: Rear fender is part of the fuel tank
Seat: Denny Berg CSPD, memory foam, ballistic urethane covering
Lighting: 4.5-in. quartz halogen in boat spotlight, LED narrow cat-eye tail light
Pegs: ‘70s o-ring
Misc.: Stainless steel axles, marine-grade ignition/starter switch, all chromed hardware
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