Abstract: A vehicle exterior image capturing device is provided with a detecting unit, such as a sensor microphone and a sensor camera, that detects a predetermined change n conditions of an occupant in a compartment of a vehicle, an exterior image capturing unit that continuously images the exterior of the vehicle compartment and generates a series of exterior images, and a storage unit that stores a part of the series of exterior images when the predetermined occupant's condition change is detected by the detecting unit. The vehicle exterior image capturing device may further include an interior image capturing unit that continuously images the interior of the vehicle compartment and generates a series of interior images. In the latter case, the storage unit also stores a part of the series of interior images.

Abstract: A subframe assembly for assembly as a unit to a vehicle body in which a subframe is formed of left and right side members disposed on the left and right of a fuel tank, and a cross member interconnecting the side members; left and right suspensions are mounted to the subframe and a vehicle member is disposed at a lower portion of the vehicle body and supported on the subframe. The subframe and vehicle member are assembled and the assembled subframe and vehicle member are then assembled to the vehicle body.

Abstract: An astride-type small boat sails on water under propulsive forces generated by a propulsion unit driven by an engine mounted in a hull assembly. A driver's seat is disposed on the hull assembly rearwardly of a steering device mounted thereon, with foot spaces defined on opposite sides of said driver's seat. A passenger's seat displaced from the driver's seat in a transverse direction of the hull assembly. The passenger's seat is displaced from the driver's seat in a fore-and-aft direction of the hull assembly.

Abstract: In a position control system for the body of a vehicle having a buffer supportingly connected between the vehicle body and the rear wheel(s), a deceleration sensor senses decelerating conditions of the vehicle and generates an output signal indicative of a sensed decelerating condition of the vehicle, and a damping force adjuster is responsive to the above output signal for adjusting the damping force produced by the buffer during expansion stroke of its damper so as to retard a motion of the rear wheel(s) in a direction away from the vehicle body.

Abstract: A front wheel shock absorbing system for motorcycles in which a damper for a front wheel of the motorcycle is disposed on the body frame side and in which forces applied to the front wheel are transmitted to the damper through a force transmitting member included in a front suspension mechanism and further through a slide member which is slidably fitted in a head pipe.

Abstract: A link motion type suspension system for a front road wheel of a motorcycle which includes an upper fork supported on a body frame, a lower fork supporting the front road wheel thereon, and a shock absorber connected for operation between the upper and lower forks through links. In order to minimize the weight of the forks, component parts of at least one of the upper fork and the lower fork of the suspension system is hollow.

Abstract: A rear suspension for a motorcycle having progressive linkage for a cushion. A swing arm support linkage is defined by an arm and tension rods extending between the body frame and the rear wheel support frame. A pivotal connection on the swing arm support linkage defines progressive motion responsive to pivotal motion of the rear wheel support frame. A cushion linkage extending between the pivotal connection of the swing arm support linkage and either the body frame or rear wheel support frame provides compounded progressive motion at an attachment position for the cushion, the cushion linkage also being defined by a linkage arm and a tension rod.

Abstract: An anti-lifting mechanism which utilizes a braking torque during braking of a rear wheel of a motor vehicle to prevent the vehicular body frame from being lifted up at the rear portion thereof. The anti-lifting mechanism includes a torque link arrangement for transmitting the braking torque to the vehicular body, the torque link arrangement comprising a substantially straight first torque transfer member, a substantially straight second torque transfer member and a link member interposed between the first and the second torque transfer members to interconnect the torque transfer members. Because the torque link arrangement can be constituted as a bent path, its constituent members can be disposed a selective arrangement, and the unsprung load of a shock absorber is reduced.

Abstract: A front wheel suspension for motorcycles including a pair of first linkages each having link members for interconnecting an upper fork pivotably supported on a motorcycle body and a lower fork supporting a front wheel thereon, and a pair of second linkages for restraining the deformation of the first linkages through a damper, the upper fork having a hollow formed therein in which at least a part of the second linkage is accommodated. The suspension has the moment of inertia relative to the handlebar substantially reduced and has a simplified and favorable appearance.

Abstract: A link type front wheel suspension system comprising an upper fork, a lower fork, links connecting between the upper fork and the lower fork, a shock absorber for a front wheel, and a transmission system for transmitting a load received by the front wheel to the shock absorber through the lower fork and the connecting links. The shock absorber of the suspension system is supported by a vehicle body frame and the transmission of load to the shock absorber is performed through a fluid circuit, whereby reduction in weight of the system and reduction in the moment of inertia in the steering operation is attained.

Abstract: A front suspension system for a motorcycle, including an upper fork member supported by a vehicle body frame, a lower fork member which supports a front wheel and a link mechanism connecting between the upper and lower fork members. The system includes a pivotal damper which provides a pivotal reaction force proportional to a pivoted amount thereof in operative cooperation with the link mechanism. The pivotal damper is disposed in the interior of the upper fork member to thereby attain simplification of the construction, reduction of the number of parts and improvement of the aesthetic appeal.

Abstract: A front wheel suspension system for motorcycles which cooperates with a front wheel suspension including an upper fork supported by a motorcycle frame and a lower fork supporting the front wheel. The system includes a rotary lever type damper operatively coupled to the lower fork. The rotary lever type damper is disposed between a pair of side members comprising the upper fork, thus reducing unsprung weight.

Abstract: An upper fork for a front fork assembly of a motorcycle comprising a pair of left and right fork member units and a bridge for interconnecting said pair of units. In order to improve the strength and rigidity of the upper fork with reduction of the weight taken into consideration, each fork member unit includes two pipes having upper and lower ends welded to each other, and a cross member welded to mid portions of the two pipes to interconnect them. The bridge is welded to the two pipes and the cross member of each of the pair of fork member units. The cross member and the bridge are formed to be hollow.

Abstract: A front wheel suspension system for motorcycles wherein only one front shock absorber is provided and is arranged adjacent the upper part of the front surface of an upper fork. The shock absorber and at least one link mechanism forming a quadrilateral on the side are connected with each other through a rod functioning as a load transmitting member. The number of shock absorbers is thus reduced, the weight of the suspension system is reduced, the moment of inertia required to rotate the suspension system to the right and left is reduced, and the shock absorber is protected from being adversely affected by mud or the like.

Abstract: A front wheel suspension for a motorcycle including at least one first linkage in the form of a four-bar linkage having an upper fork assembly pivoted to the vehicle frame and a lower fork assembly supporting the front wheel, the upper fork assembly and the lower fork assembly being connected with each other through front and rear arms which are both pivotable, and at least one shock absorber, wherein at least one second linkage is interposed between the first linkage and the shock absorber, the second linkage having an input part pivotably connected to the first linkage and an output part pivotably connected to one of the ends of the shock absorber, the output part being movable by a progressive displacement additional to a displacement of the input part with respect to a direction substantially effective for the shock absorber to exhibit the function thereof.

Abstract: A shock absorbing device for a rear wheel of a motorcycle which comprises a rotary member which is pivotally connected to a body frame at its front end and moreover is pivotally connected to a swingable rear wheel support frame, a shock absorber which is pivotally connected to the body frame at its upper end and is connected to the rotary member at its lower end, and a rod member for connecting the rotary member to the body frame.In order to locate the shock absorber as close as possible to the center of gravity of the motorcycle, the rotary member is arranged at a fore part of the rear wheel support frame in the longitudinal direction, and a lower end of the shock absorber is connected to a front part of an upper portion of the rotary member in the longitudinal direction.