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.

Abstract: A motorcycle having front and rear swing arm suspension systems. The motorcycle includes a structural frame including as a structural element the engine of the vehicle along with a support member. The front and rear suspensions are disclosed as being pivotally mounted to the support member. The cushion members are shown mounted to either the support member or directly to the engine. At the other end of the cushion members, progressive linkage mechanisms are employed.

Abstract: A stabilizer apparatus is provided for a telescopic type front fork having a pair of right and left movable fork members supporting a front wheel of a vehicle. The stabilizer apparatus comprising a stabilizer member having an end connected to each of the fork members and a resiliently deformable strength adjustment member positioned between each of the fork members and the corresponding end of the stabilizer member. The strength adjusting member comprises a bushing formed of a resilient material. The bushing is mounted in and fixed to a connecting opening in each end of the stabilizer member and is fastened to the movable fork member at an attaching base portion projecting from an upper end portion of the movable fork member.

Abstract: A steerable fork mount that is pre-assembleable and compact comprising a fork having a top and two depending pedestals that are rigidly formed together, that are relatively short in the fore and aft direction, with a rocker beam at the bottom, rockable about a vertical stub shaft supported on each pedestal and providing an arrangement to support a spring mounted between the rocker beam and the pedestal, and with an arrangement to make the pedestal structure extremely rigid and strong, particularly in the transmission of the displacement forces from the wheel to the spindle mount.

Abstract: Coupling device between the suspension gear of a front wheel and the suspension gear of a rear wheel of a wheeled vehicle such as a motorcycle, in which the suspension deflections are transformed into substantially axial deplacements, comprising on each front and rear side of the vehicle a push-rod or equivalent hinged to the abutment of the suspension spring whereas its other end is hinged to an arm of a resilient rotary coupling member such as a torsion bar, this device being applied to the transfer of front and rear overloads of a vehicle.

Abstract: A body structure for a motorcycle with a front wheel and a rear wheel, including a body frame assembly having an engine mounted thereon and having vertically swingably joined thereto a front leading arm for supporting the front wheel and a rear trailing arm for supporting the rear wheel. The front leading arm as viewed from the side thereof is curved upwardly in the direction of a steering axis of the front wheel. The body frame assembly is shaped in a concave form having front standing portions and rear standing portions to thereby surround the engine. The engine is a V-type with at least a pair of internal combustion cylinders substantially vertically arranged to be respectively forwardly and rearwardly inclined, and may be secured at a front part thereof to the front standing portions of the body frame assembly and at a rear part thereof to the rear standing portions of the body frame assembly.

Abstract: A motorcycle front fork assembly comprises substantially parallel fork legs (15), each leg being connected to an articulated linkage (16). The articulated linkage comprises a telescopic member (19) concentric with or adjacent to each fork leg (15) and axially movable substantially in the plane of the fork legs and a suspension link (17) having a first end for supporting a wheel spindle (24), a second end (22), and being pivotally connected between the two ends (22, 24) to the telescopic member (19). So that trail variations may be kept to the minimum, restraining means pivotally connect the second end (22) of the suspension link (17) to the leg (15) and allow translational movement of the second end (22) during axial movement of the telescopic member (19) in response to movement of the said first end (24). By simple experiment suitable dimensions may be determined to maintain trail variation substantially constant for any steering variation.

Abstract: A shock absorbing mechanism for wheels for absorbing horizontally-applied shock loads experienced by the wheel whereupon the axle and hub of the wheel are permitted to move rearwardly, or "slide", upon the application of a relatively substantial horizontal shock force. The spring rate, stiffness and travel are all adjustable. Means are provided for anchoring the stationary portion of the wheel braking mechanism to a stationary portion of the motorcycle and, should it be desired to do so, for bypassing the shock absorbing mechanism of the present invention to restore the axle and wheel combination to the former function non-shock absorbing relationship.

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 front brake system for a motorcycle provided with a front suspension system comprising a link mechanism having a quadrilateral side configuration wherein an upper fork secured to the front end of a vehicle body frame so as to be pivotable to the right and left and a lower fork which supports a front wheel are interconnected through two front arms and two rear arms. The front brake system comprises a brake disk integrally fixed to the front wheel and held rotatably thereby and a brake caliper for braking the front wheel by pressing a brake pad against the brake disk, the brake caliper being disposed below the lower fork and behind a perpendicular line passing through a front wheel axle. The caliper is mounted so as to utilize space effectively and in a low position to lower the center of gravity, and a simplified anti-driving mechanism is provided.

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: The mechanical strength and torsional rigidity of the front forks of a motorcycle are improved by a connector rigidly joining brackets attached to the lower casings.

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 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 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 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: A bicycle and method of making same are provided wherein such bicycle has an improved system associated with its front and/or rear wheel which in each instance allows large and abrupt vertical movement of the wheel associated therewith while allowing the frame and bicycle rider to remain comparatively free of such movements. The bicycle may also be provided with an improved support structure for its pedal assembly.

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 fork structure for a motorcycle in which the steering column is connected to the wheel axle so that while it is free to move longitudinally on shock mounts, it is constrained against any significant rotatable motion relative to the axle, thereby minimizing bushing wear and providing tighter response in the steering control. The front end forks of a motorcycle are formed by a pair of tubular members which are rigidly attached to the steering column. These tubular members have slots formed near their bottom ends, these slotted portions being fitted over the opposite ends of the cycle axle. Shock mounts are mounted within the tubular members. The shock mounts include a lower cylindrical bushing which is fixedly attached to the axle and a shock absorber mounted above the bushing with one end of the shock absorber being attached to an extension which is attached to the top end of the tubing.

Abstract: The suspension comprises a steering framework mounted on the frame of the vehicle. An arch-shaped pivotal suspension arm carries at one end the spindle of the front wheel of the vehicle and extends around the front wheel. The pivotal arm is pivoted to the steering framework. A shock-absorbing system having a variable flexibility comprises at least one shock-absorber. The shock-absorber is connected to a pivotally mounted link to damp movements of the link. The link is connected to the pivotal arm by a hydraulic or mechanical transmission.

Abstract: Flutter and weave instability of a motorcycle front fork assembly is substantially reduced by achieving an overall lateral stiffness of the fork assembly mounts of at least 1000 lbs./in. This is done by providing an assembly including a pair of fork legs, each having a minimum flexural rigidity of 10.8.times.10.sup.6 lbs.-in.sup.2 ; a pair of rotational bearings attached to the base of each leg, each bearing carrying a suspension link having a minimum flexural rigidity of 3.8.times.10.sup.6 lbs.-in.sup.2 ; a wheel spindle having a minimum rigidity of 1.9.times.10.sup.6 lbs.-in.sup.2 ; and resilient suspension means. The fork legs are substantially parallel to each other and extend downwardly from a steering head. The rotational bearings have negligible radial clearance. The suspension links extend forwardly from the rotational bearings and are mounted to the associated leg of each. The wheel spindle is rigidly clamped and extends between the free ends of the suspension links.

Abstract: A front-wheel suspension is disclosed, especially for two-wheeled vehicles such as motor-assisted bicycles and motor-scooters, in which the usual swinging front fork is replaced by a single goose-necked stiff arm capable of overhangingly carrying the vehicle front wheel and pivotally connected, at its bottom end, to the wheel axle by the intermediary of a swingable link. A springing and shock-absorbing telescopable member is pivotally connected, at its top, to an intermediate portion of said arm and, at its bottom, to the wheel axle. A brake device is rigidly connected to the shock-assembly member. The construction is much simplified over the prior art and the costs are significantly reduced: a favorable distribution of the stresses throughout the entire system is also achieved.

Abstract: A motorcycle includes a steered wheel assembly wherein the steered wheel is mounted on a hub member which is rigidly secured to one end of a telescopically sprung fork assembly the other end of which is pivoted to the frame. A radius arm assembly is also pivoted to the frame and to the hub member. The pivotal connection between the fork assembly and the frame is adjustable to alternative frame-fixed positions to vary the steering characteristics of the motorcycle.

Abstract: A front wheel suspension unit for motorcycles, in which the center part of a crank-shaped bent shaft having two parallel axes is taken as the axle, so that buffer effects may be produced against impact inputs in the horizontal direction of movement as well as in the vertical direction, and the wheel is supported, rotating freely around the axis of the said axle, while the other shaft part of the said bent shaft is held at the lower part of the front fork, so that the wheel may be supported while turning freely around the axis of the said shaft part.

Abstract: A suspension system for a bicycle having a frame with rearward and forward ends and a fork means rotatably mounted on the forward end thereof and having a pair of downwardly extending fork arms. A pair of arms are pivotally secured to the lower ends of the fork arms and extend forwardly therefrom. A wheel is rotatably secured to and is positioned between the pair of arms. A pair of spring support rods are pivotally secured at their lower ends to the pair of arms and extend upwardly and rearwardly therefrom. A bracket is secured to the fork and extends forwardly therefrom and has the spring support rods movably extending therethrough. An upper pair of springs are mounted on the upper ends of the spring support rods above the bracket and are maintained thereon by acorn nuts or the like. A lower pair of springs are mounted on the spring support rods below the bracket and are maintained in position by an adjustable clamp means secured to and extending between the spring support rods.

Abstract: At least with one wheel of a bicycle there is associated a suspension which includes a pivotally secured rocker member supporting the bicycle wheel and a sole suspension spring attached to the rocker member and disposed in substantial alignment with the plane of rotation of the bicycle wheel.