Abstract: The present invention provides a motorcycle including a front wheel, a rear wheel, a frame supported by the front and rear wheels, a crankcase including a first interface portion and a first passageway exposed to the first interface portion, a reservoir located remotely from the crankcase adapted to contain a lubricant, and a transmission case supported by the frame and including a second interface portion and a second passageway exposed to the second interface portion. The second passageway is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The first interface portion is coupled to the second interface portion. The first passageway is in fluid communication with the second passageway. The first and second passageways provide fluid communication between the reservoir and the crankcase through the first and second interface portions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a throttle position sensor for a motorcycle including a handlebar having an end. The throttle position sensor includes a rotor having a first end and a second end. The rotor is positioned within the handlebar and rotated relative to the handlebar. The second end is closer than the first end to the end of the handlebar. The throttle position sensor also includes a sensor operable to detect rotation of the rotor relative to the handlebar and generate a signal corresponding to the rotation of the rotor relative to the handlebar. The throttle position sensor further includes at least one electrical conduit passing into the rotor from the first end. The at least one electrical conduit is routed through the rotor and is accessible from the second end of the rotor.

Abstract: A muffler for a motorcycle, the muffler including an outer tube and an inner tube disposed substantially within the outer tube. The inner tube includes a first end adapted to receive the exhaust gases from the engine, a second end opposite the first end adapted to release the exhaust gases to the environment, and first and second apertures positioned between the ends. The muffler also includes a mesh tube disposed between the outer tube and the inner tube. The mesh tube defines a chamber between the inner tube and the mesh tube such that the exhaust gases exit the inner tube through the first aperture into the chamber, and exit the chamber into the inner tube through the second aperture. The muffler also includes a noise attenuating material disposed between the mesh tube and the outer tube.

Abstract: A method of filling a brake system for a motorcycle including a brake system having a master cylinder assembly and a caliper assembly. The master cylinder assembly includes a housing and a cover coupled to the housing to define an enclosed reservoir. The caliper assembly includes a fluid passageway and a fitting adjustable to selectively provide fluid communication with the fluid passageway. The motorcycle also includes a brake line coupled between the master cylinder assembly and the caliper assembly to fluidly connect the reservoir and the fluid passageway. The method also includes substantially evacuating the reservoir, brake line and fluid passageway, coupling a fluid source to the fitting, passing fluid from the fluid source through the fitting, and filling the reservoir, brake line, and fluid passageway with the fluid passed through the fitting from the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: An oil pump for an engine having a first cam shaft and a second cam shaft. The oil pump includes a housing and a first pump assembly at least partially disposed within the housing. The first pump assembly includes a rotating element that is adapted to be directly driven by the first cam shaft. A second pump assembly is at least partially disposed within the housing. The second pump assembly includes a rotating element that is adapted to be directly driven by the second cam shaft.

Abstract: An engine adapted to mount to a frame assembly including a steering head, a downtube, a rear junction, a rear tie link, a front mount assembly, and an engine bracket. The engine includes a crankcase assembly having a rearward end defining a rear attachment point adapted to engage the rear junction, a rear tie link attachment portion disposed below the rear attachment point adapted to engage the rear tie link, and a forward end defining a forward attachment point adapted to engage the front mount assembly. An engine cylinder assembly extends from the crankcase assembly and is adapted to be coupled to the engine bracket.

Abstract: A method of enhancing corrosion resistance of a hollow vessel. The method includes providing a hollow vessel including a wall defining a cavity, providing a coating tank filled with a liquid coating having charged coating elements, submerging the hollow vessel into the liquid coating, allowing the liquid coating to pass into the cavity through at least one aperture of the wall, coating the exterior surface of the wall with a portion of the coating elements, coating the interior surface of the wall with an additional portion of the coating elements, removing the hollow vessel from the coating tank, draining the liquid coating from the cavity, heating the hollow vessel in an oven, and curing the portion of the coating elements on the exterior surface and curing the additional portion of the coating elements on the interior surface.

Abstract: A vehicle comprising a frame, at least one wheel operable to contact a substantially horizontal support surface, a prime mover supported by the frame and in driving engagement with the at least one wheel, a suspension system operable to maintain the frame in an upright position while driving along a straight path and to permit the frame to lean relative to the support surface while cornering, and at least two headlights coupled to the suspension system and arranged in a substantially horizontal configuration, wherein the headlights remain in the substantially horizontal configuration when the frame is in the upright position and when the frame is leaning.

Abstract: A vehicle including a frame, left and right wheels, and a leaning suspension system. The frame defines a longitudinal vehicle axis. The leaning suspension system includes a transverse beam, left and right damping members, left and right control arms, and at least one lean actuator. The transverse beam is coupled to the frame and pivotable about the vehicle axis. The left and right damping members are pivotally coupled to the left and right sides of the transverse beam. The left control arm is pivotally coupled to the left wheel and to the frame, and the right control arm is pivotally coupled to the right wheel and to the frame. The lean actuator is pivotally connected between the frame and the transverse beam. The lean actuator is configured to extend and retract to tilt the left and right wheels and to lean the vehicle while cornering.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the efficiency of a catalyst includes providing an oxygen sensor between an engine and the catalyst to generate an output signal indicative of oxygen content. The output signal is sampled to provide a first value indicative of the oxygen content of untreated exhaust. The exhaust is allowed to flow through the catalyst to produce treated exhaust and then the treated exhaust is caused to flow back to the oxygen sensor. The output signal is again sampled to provide a second value indicative of the oxygen content of treated exhaust. The second value is compared to the first value to provide an indication of the efficiency of the catalyst.

Abstract: A primary housing for a motorcycle engine includes an inner housing that defines internal coupling apertures, transmission coupling apertures, and external coupling apertures. Internal fasteners extend through the internal coupling apertures and the transmission coupling apertures to couple the inner housing to the crankcase and the transmission. An outer housing defines coupling apertures that align with the external coupling apertures and fasteners extend through the coupling apertures, through the external coupling apertures, and into the engine crankcase to couple the inner and outer housings to the crankcase. A resonant damping device is rigidly or moveably coupled to an anti-node region of the outer housing to reduce noise emissions from the outer housing during engine operation.

Abstract: A heated motorcycle handgrip is securable to a motorcycle handlebar and includes a grip housing that has a first end adapted to receive the handlebar, and a second end opposite the first end. The grip housing includes a heating element that is operable to provide a heat output, and a heater control dial is coupled to the second end of the handgrip to control the heat output of the heating element.

Abstract: A primary housing for a motorcycle engine includes an inner housing that defines internal coupling apertures, transmission coupling apertures, and external coupling apertures. Internal fasteners extend through the internal coupling apertures and the transmission coupling apertures to couple the inner housing to the crankcase and the transmission. An outer housing defines coupling apertures that align with the external coupling apertures and fasteners extend through the coupling apertures, through the external coupling apertures, and into the engine crankcase to couple the inner and outer housings to the crankcase. A resonant damping device is rigidly or moveably coupled to an anti-node region of the outer housing to reduce noise emissions from the outer housing during engine operation.

Abstract: A ventilated garment includes a body portion, a vent opening defined by the body portion, and a vent closure coupled to the vent opening. The vent opening has an opened configuration and a closed configuration, and the vent closure secures the vent opening in the closed configuration. The ventilated garment also includes a pull that is coupled to the vent closure and extends along the body portion. The pull has a first exposed portion that is spaced from the vent closure and that affords remote operation of the vent closure to adjust the vent opening from the opened configuration to the closed configuration, and a second exposed portion that is spaced from the vent closure and that affords remote operation of the vent closure to adjust the vent opening from the closed configuration to the opened configuration. The exposed portions of the pull may be positioned in pockets of the ventilated garment.

Abstract: A method of filling a brake system for a motorcycle including a brake system having a master cylinder assembly and a caliper assembly. The master cylinder assembly includes a housing and a cover coupled to the housing to define an enclosed reservoir. The caliper assembly includes a fluid passageway and a fitting adjustable to selectively provide fluid communication with the fluid passageway. The motorcycle also includes a brake line coupled between the master cylinder assembly and the caliper assembly to fluidly connect the reservoir and the fluid passageway. The method also includes substantially evacuating the reservoir, brake line and fluid passageway, coupling a fluid source to the fitting, passing fluid from the fluid source through the fitting, and filling the reservoir, brake line, and fluid passageway with the fluid passed through the fitting from the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: A motorcycle power transmission assembly including an engine, a transmission, a drive assembly, and a starter assembly. The engine includes a crankcase, and the transmission includes a transmission case coupled to the crankcase to define an engine-transmission assembly. The drive assembly includes a drive housing coupled to the engine-transmission assembly to define a drive chamber. The drive housing including an opening, and the drive assembly further includes a starter gear. The starter assembly is mounted to the drive housing and includes a nose portion that extends through the opening. The nose portion includes a pinion gear adapted to engage the starter gear.