Abstract: A hand lever for operating a motorcycle clutch or brake is pivotally mounted on one of the motorcycle handgrips and includes a head portion and a handle portion extending away from the head portion. The handle portion has an inner surface facing the handgrip and which is concave in transverse section and an outer surface facing away from the handgrip and which is convex in transverse section. The handle portion is also tapered from its proximal end to its distal end and is pivotal toward the handgrip so that the concave inner surface is moved into proximity with the curvilinear outer handgrip surface.

Abstract: A breather system for a motorcycle engine having at least a pair of cylinders, an air cleaner, a cylinder head on each cylinder, a valve for connecting the cylinder head to the crankcase for venting the same, a first pipe having couplings at the opposite ends thereof for communicating the pipe to the interior of the cylinder heads, a second pipe connected at one end to one of the fittings and at its other end to the air cleaner.

Abstract: A front fender mount for a motorcycle, having a fork and double struts, which maintains the fender at a constant spacing from the wheel axle regardless of the movement of the fork and struts relative to the axle. The mount includes a bracket fixed to the fender, one linkage pivotally interconnecting the bracket and the fork, and another linkage pivotally interconnecting the bracket and the struts. A brake caliper mounting interconnects the bracket and the motorcycle wheel axle.

Abstract: A protection system has a power supply connected to lamps by a low value resistor. The resistor is part of a voltage divider system which provides input signals to a number of comparators. These comparators provide appropriate signals to a microprocessor to indicate normal operation. When a malfunction is detected, the voltage drop across the low value resistor changes and alters the output of the comparators. The microprocessor thereafter produces an appropriate warning signal. In a vehicle turn signal circuit, the present invention is incorporated to detect a burned out bulb. A warning is provided to the vehicle operator when a bulb is out. Further, pursuant to federal safety regulations, the remaining functioning bulbs, when activated, flash at a substantially slower rate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for damping the effects of cyclic engine speed variations on the splines of a driving hub and the mating splines of a shaft driven by the hub. A caliper-like retaining mechanism includes a retaining nut threadedly engaging the distal end of the shaft, which distal end is journaled through a splined bore of the driving hub. A shoulder washer is disposed about the shaft proximate the hub shoulder, which shoulder washer is secured to the shaft by the retaining nut. A disc spring urges the shoulder washer into frictional engagement with the hub, which disc spring is retained in a circular groove within the hub. A predetermined preload is exerted by the disc spring on the shoulder washer, which preload is sufficient to overcome the forces which tend to induce rattle between the splines of the shaft and the corresponding splines of the hub.

Abstract: A velocipede such as a bicycle or tricycle includes a drive sprocket mounted on a frame for adjustment between a plurality of positions defining an arcuate path having an axis of curvature. A second sprocket is rotatably mounted on the axis and is coupled to the drive sprocket by a first chain. A third sprocket is mounted coaxially with and is coupled to the second sprocket for rotation therewith. A fourth sprocket is mounted on the rear wheel and coupled to the third sprocket by a second drive chain.

Abstract: A fuel gauge for a fuel tank wherein external components of the gauge are configured to substantially resemble a conventional fuel filler cap, and in particular, the invention provides a single chambered fuel tank, fuel gauge and fuel filler cap configured to retain the appearance of a conventional dual chambered tank having separate fuel filler caps, but wherein the present fuel gauge retains the outward appearance of one of the caps for which it is substituted upon conversion of the dual chambered tank to a single chambered fuel tank.

Abstract: An insert assembly for a stationary fuel tank filler cap retainer for motor vehicles including motorcycles and the like. The insert assembly includes a hollow inwardly threaded tubular stem to be received in the bore of a tubular member of the filler cap retainer communicating with an opening in the fuel tank. The insert assembly includes a retainer spring member having outwardly extending, angularly disposed spring clips to be received by a notched stationary retainer. The clips are further formed to provide an over-center latching relationship an inwardly extending flange of the retainer upon insertion into the insert assembly the bore of a hollow retainer tube. The insert assembly includes an internal continuous thread for threadingly receiving a fuel cap having a threaded closure stem, and further includes an outwardly extending flanged portion overlying the flange of the stationary retainer tube for protection from deleterious contact with a fuel dispensing nozzle.

Abstract: A motorcycle has a frame, a front wheel and Y-shaped rockers attached to the axle of the front wheel on either side. Also attached to each rocker is a rigid fork which directly connects the rocker to the frame of the motorcycle and a springed fork which connects the rocker to shock absorbing means which are likewise mounted on the rigid fork. The springed fork is mounted to the rocker intermediate the points at which the rigid fork and axle are mounted to the rocker. The rigid fork is attached to the rocker using an adjustable, split spherical bearing which is attached and held to the rigid fork by a stud. This bearing arrangement engages a pair of bearing races which are held in two prongs of the Y-shaped rocker. Similarly, the springed fork has a stud passing therethrough which also holds a spherical bearing. The bearing engages a bearing race which is held within the rocker.