I roamed into Mad Dogs Custom Cycle a few weeks back, just killing time, and I heard a bike rumbling into the parking lot, not just any bike, and not just any engine. As the bike rolled into the lot, I had to grab a closer look. I was outside in a flash and confronted one of the most unique Twin Cam- powered scooters, ever. This was one serious beast, a 131-inch Kendall Johnson monster Twin Cam café racer. A café racer Twin Cam, rubber mounted Dyna. The concept had me reeling.
I introduced myself to Alex Covington, the master of this beast. I had to grab a test shot and send it to Bandit on the other coast. He’s a freak for unique designs. He has a strange code. As long as any custom is an excellent example of a style, he’ll feature it. He doesn’t judge styles, just the execution. Bandit snapped at it, like this candy red monster was a tall voluptuous redhead hungry for action. I contacted Alex and set up a time to shoot the bike a couple of weeks down the road, while Bandit chomped at the bit.
Alex told me he was on the hunt for a Harley that handled like a sport bike, but let’s back up just a bit. The bike you see here rolled off the assembly line as a 2007 Dyna Street Bob. It was stolen a couple of years later, and Alex purchased it from a theft recovery company. Only the engine and a frame remained, but for Alex that’s exactly what he was looking for. So the resurrection of Cherry Bomb began. The name Cherry Bomb came yours truly. Alex told me he never nicknamed the beast and told me to pick one, so there you have it. Hell, what could be better?
First the engine went to Kendall Johnson Customs in Winston Salem NC. Kendall put the master’s touch on the engine turning it into a rock solid 131-inch fire-breathing monster. He also added a Horse Power Inc. EFI throttle body. Kendall won’t give away his engine configuration secrets. Alex did tell me he’s running Kendall’s special grind cams. The music coming out of the Vance & Hines 2-into-1 competition exhaust will make anyone proud! Not only is the engine top shelf, but that Baker 7-speed tranny adds another hot rod twist!
Cherry Bomb is not all go; it can be halted just as quickly as it accelerates. Those Performance Machine calipers and rotors are not only killer to look at but they will stop the Performance Machine Platinum wheels on a dime.
Little did I know Cherry Bomb had a serious styling California connection. When it came time for the sheet metal fabrication Alex hooked up with Todd’s Cycle out of Huntington Beach, Ca. Todd’s also handled frame modifications, like grinding and cutting off the original foot peg mounts and all tabs not needed to make the frame lean and clean. Todd’s also tweaked the Marzocchi front end along with the Works Performance shocks. The frame and sheet metal are flawless and Alex says the Cherry Bomb handles as well or better than most sport bikes!
When it came time for paint, Alex called up Peter Weber to lay down the cherry metallic paint and stripes. This paint really dances in the sunlight.
That fly screen with two Headwinds signal lights, used as headlights is a slick touch. Alex said Cherry Bomb is not much of a nightrider but hey, those lights are bitchin.’ Just a side note for curious souls: Cherry Bomb puts out 168-horse power, a serious asphalt burner!
I really dig this bike, although I am a bobber guy. It seriously stands out. It is an all business bike and features some of the best products our industry has to offer, and 95% of everything on the bike says “Made IN THE U.S.A!”
Alex had a vision and he chose top-of-the-line builders to turn that vision into reality, GREAT JOB to all who participated in this build!
This Cherry Bomb packs a lot of BANG!
Until next time, RIDE!
–STEALTH
Owner: Alex Covington
Bike Name:Cherry Bomb
City/State:Clover, SC
Builder:Todd’s Cycle/Kendall Johnson
Fabrication:Todd’s Cycle
Welding:Todd’s Cycle
Machining:Todd’s Cycle
Engine
Year:2007
Make:Harley-Davidson
Model: Dyna Street Bob
Displacement:131-inch
Builder or Rebuilder:Kendall Johnson
Cases: Harley-Davidson
Case finish:Black Texture
Barrels:Harley-Davidson
Pistons:Kendall Johnson
Barrel finish:Black Texture
Lower end:Harley-Davidson
Rods:Harley-Davidson
Heads:Ported and polished Kendall Johnson
Head finish:Black Texture
Cams:Kendall Johnson custom grind
Air cleaner:Roland Sands Designs
Exhaust:Vance & Hines competition 2-into-1
Transmission
Year:2011
Make:Baker
Gear configuration: 1-down and 6-up
Final drive:Chain
Primary:Harley-Davidson
Clutch:Kendall Johnson – Hydraulics
Frame
Year:2007
Make:Harley-Davidson
Style or Model:Dyna
Stretch:Stock
Rake:Stock
Modifications:Completely shaved at Todd’s
Front End
Make:Marzocchi
Mods: Tuned at Todd’s
Sheet metal
Tanks:Todd’s Cycle
Panels:Todd’s Cycle
Oil tank:Harley-Davidson
Other: Tail section by Todd’s
Paint
Sheet metal:Peter Weber
Molding:Peter Weber
Graphics:Peter Weber
Type:Base coat clear coat
Molding:Peter Weber
Graphics or art:Peter Weber
Special effects:Peter Weber
Pinstriping:Peter Weber
Wheels
Front
Make:Performance Machine Platinum
Size:21-inch
Brake calipers:Performance Machine
Brake rotor(s):Performance Machine
Tire:Metzler
Rear
Make:Performance Machine Platinum
Size:18×200
Brake calipers:Performance Machine
Brake rotor:Performance Machine
Pulley:Performance Machine Sprocket
Tire:Metzler
Controls
Foot controls:Todd’s Cycle
Finish:Black
Handlebar controls:Magura
Finish:Black
Shifting:Foot
Ignition:Kendall Johnson
Ignition switch:Kendall Johnson
Coils:Kendall Johnson
Headlight:Headwinds turn signals(2)
Taillight:Todd’s Cycle
What’s Left
Seat:High Rollers
Mirror(s): N/A
Gas caps:Todd’s Cycle
Handlebars:Todd’s Cycle
Grips:Roland Sands Designs
Pegs:Todd’s Cycle
Oil filter:Custom
Oil cooler:Custom
Engine Covers:Roland Signs Designs
Credits:
Todd’s Cycle
Kendall Johnson Customs
Peter Weber
