Abstract: A protective device for a motorcycle. The protective device protects portions of the motorcycle, such as the frame and body panels, from damage due to a tip-over incident or a sliding incident. The protective device of some embodiments includes a shell and a cushion designed to disperse and absorb impact energy. The shell is coupled to the motorcycle with an adhesive. The adhesive has a high shear strength to prevent removal of the shell during a sliding incident.

Abstract: A tailrack for a motorcycle suited to carrying at least one rider and luggage. The tailrack includes an attachment member that has a first end adapted to attach to the motorcycle. A support member is coupled to the attachment member and is movable between a first position in which the support member is positioned to support the luggage and a second position different from the first position in which the support member is positioned to support the luggage and a third position in which the support member is substantially vertical.

Abstract: A windshield assembly for a motorcycle. The windshield assembly includes a flyscreen having one of a grommet and a coupling member and a windscreen having the other of a grommet and a coupling member. The coupling member defines a projection that engages the grommet to couple the windscreen to the flyscreen.

Abstract: A power control device and method for a motorcycle. The power control device controls the power of the motorcycle engine in predetermined situations. The power control device controls the power output of the engine while maintaining an optimal air-to-fuel ratio to prevent backfires and misfires during combustion. In one embodiment, the power control device reduces the airflow to the engine by rotating a throttle valve. The amount of fuel delivered to the engine is also reduced corresponding to the position of the throttle valve. By reducing the amount of fuel delivered to the engine based upon the amount of airflow to the engine, the air-to-fuel ratio within the engine remains optimal for combustion. The throttle valve can be rotated by the operator and by the power control device. The position of the throttle plate and corresponding power output of the engine is controlled by the operator until overridden by the power control device.

Abstract: A protective device for a motorcycle. The protective device protects portions of the motorcycle, such as the frame and body panels, from damage due to a tip-over incident or a sliding incident. The protective device of some embodiments includes a shell and a cushion designed to disperse and absorb impact energy. The shell is coupled to the motorcycle with an adhesive. The adhesive has a high shear strength to prevent removal of the shell during a sliding incident.

Abstract: A motorcycle having one or more translucent body panels, such as an airbox cover and a flyscreen. The translucent body panels can be sufficiently opaque to mask the components positioned behind the body panel when the motorcycle is viewed from a distance, but yet allow visual inspection of those components when viewed from a position adjacent the motorcycle.

Abstract: A power control device and method for a motorcycle. The power control device controls the power of the motorcycle engine in predetermined situations. The power control device controls the power output of the engine while maintaining an optimal air-to-fuel ratio to prevent backfires and misfires during combustion. In one embodiment, the power control device reduces the airflow to the engine by rotating a throttle valve. The amount of fuel delivered to the engine is also reduced corresponding to the position of the throttle valve. By reducing the amount of fuel delivered to the engine based upon the amount of airflow to the engine, the air-to-fuel ratio within the engine remains optimal for combustion. The throttle valve can be rotated by the operator and by the power control device. The position of the throttle plate and corresponding power output of the engine is controlled by the operator until overridden by the power control device.

Abstract: A motorcycle includes a frame, and an engine and transmission mounted to the frame. A swingarm is pivotably mounted to the frame, and a rear wheel is rotatably mounted to the swingarm. An output shaft of the transmission is coupled to the rear wheel to cause rotation of the rear wheel under power of the engine. A stationary tensioner is mounted to the frame such that as the rear wheel bounces up and down with respect to the frame, the tensioner maintains substantially constant tension and belt path length in the belt without requiring the tensioner to move in a translational or pivotal sense.

Abstract: An exhaust system for use with a four-stroke engine having first and second cylinders. The cylinders generate exhaust pulses at uneven time intervals with respect to each other. The exhaust system includes a muffler and first and second exhaust pipes that communicate between the mufflers and the first and second cylinders, respectively. The first and second pipes being sized and shaped to deliver the exhaust pulses to the muffler at even time intervals with respect to each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a motorcycle wheel that includes a rim, a hub, and a spoke. The rim is adapted to receive a motorcycle tire and the hub is adapted to receive and support a motorcycle axle. The spoke extends between the rim and the hub. The spoke includes first and second walls that are separated by a distance. The first and second walls are substantially entirely unconnected to each other between the hub and the rim. The spokes are all connected to the hub substantially centered about a central plane and connected to the rim on one side of the central plane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a motorcycle that includes a frame, a wheel mounted to the frame for rotation with respect to the frame, a rotor mounted to the wheel, and a caliper selectively clamping the rotor to slow down the rotation of the wheel. A biasing member is provided between the rotor and the wheel and is offset from a fastener. The biasing member biases the rotor against the head of the fastener.

Abstract: An exhaust system for use with a four-stroke engine having first and second cylinders. The cylinders generate exhaust pulses at uneven time intervals with respect to each other. The exhaust system includes a muffler and first and second exhaust pipes that communicate between the mufflers and the first and second cylinders, respectively. The first and second pipes being sized and shaped to deliver the exhaust pulses to the muffler at even time intervals with respect to each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a motorcycle that includes a frame, a wheel mounted to the frame for rotation with respect to the frame, a rotor mounted to the wheel, and a caliper selectively clamping the rotor to slow down the rotation of the wheel. A biasing member is provided between the rotor and the wheel and is offset from a fastener. The biasing member biases the rotor against the head of the fastener.

Abstract: A motorcycle comprising a frame; an engine mounted to the frame; a steering assembly interconnected with the frame; a front wheel rotatably mounted to the steering assembly; a swingarm mounted to the frame, the swingarm including a hollow portion adapted to contain oil for use in the engine; and a rear wheel rotatably mounted to the swingarm. A removable plate closes the hollow portion of the swingarm, and first, second, and third fittings are associated with the plate. An oil breather tube may be interconnected with the first fitting, an oil pickup tube interconnected with the second fitting, and an oil return tube interconnected with the third fitting. A fixed-position caliper mounting boss is provided on the swingarm, and the swingarm includes a fixed axle for the rear wheel such that the caliper is properly spaced with respect to the rear wheel.

Abstract: A motorcycle that includes a frame, a steering assembly, front and rear wheels, and an engine/transmission assembly. The motorcycle also includes an engine cooling fan that creates a flow of cooling air across the engine. The motorcycle also includes an air box and an air box delivery system that provides air to the air box. The air box is mounted to the frame and includes an air filter, an inlet located outside of the filter, and an outlet located inside of the filter such that air entering the inlet passes through the filter before exiting through the outlet. The air box delivery system includes a passage that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the frame and in fluid flow communication with the air box, the passage directing the flow of air upwardly into the air box.

Abstract: A motorcycle includes a swing arm defining a drive member aperture through which a flexible drive member extends. During normal operation of the motorcycle, the drive member and swing arm are interlocked due to a portion of the drive member being captured in the drive member aperture. A portion of the swing arm is removable from the rest of the swing arm to open the drive member aperture and permit removal of the drive member as a continuous unbroken loop without the need to drop the motorcycle's transmission.

Abstract: A motorcycle that includes a frame, a wheel mounted to the frame for rotation about an axis of rotation, a rotor mounted to the wheel, and a caliper selectively clamping the rotor to slow down the rotation of the wheel. The rotor includes a slot having flat sides that are non-parallel with respect to each other. The assembly further comprises a spacer positioned within the slot and having flat sides substantially parallel to said sides of the slot such that the flat sides of the spacer maintain contact with the flat sides of the slot during thermal expansion of the rotor. A spring is preferably provided between the rotor and the wheel and is offset from a fastener. The spring biases the rotor against the head of the fastener.

Abstract: A motorcycle comprising a frame; an engine mounted to the frame; a steering assembly interconnected with the frame; a front wheel rotatably mounted to the steering assembly; a swingarm mounted to the frame, the swingarm including a hollow portion adapted to contain oil for use in the engine; and a rear wheel rotatably mounted to the swingarm. A removable plate closes the hollow portion of the swingarm, and first, second, and third fittings are associated with the plate. An oil breather tube may be interconnected with the first fitting, an oil pickup tube interconnected with the second fitting, and an oil return tube interconnected with the third fitting. A fixed-position caliper mounting boss is provided on the swingarm, and the swingarm includes a fixed axle for the rear wheel such that the caliper is properly spaced with respect to the rear wheel.

Abstract: A motorcycle comprising a frame; an engine mounted to the frame; a steering assembly interconnected with the frame; a front wheel rotatably mounted to the steering assembly; a swingarm mounted to the frame, the swingarm including a hollow portion adapted to contain oil for use in the engine; and a rear wheel rotatably mounted to the swingarm. A removable plate closes the hollow portion of the swingarm, and first, second, and third fittings are associated with the plate. An oil breather tube may be interconnected with the first fitting, an oil pickup tube interconnected with the second fitting, and an oil return tube interconnected with the third fitting. A fixed-position caliper mounting boss is provided on the swingarm, and the swingarm includes a fixed axle for the rear wheel such that the caliper is properly spaced with respect to the rear wheel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a motorcycle wheel that includes a rim, a hub, and a spoke. The rim is adapted to receive a motorcycle tire and the hub is adapted to receive and support a motorcycle axle. The spoke extends between the rim and the hub. The spoke includes first and second walls that are separated by a distance. The first and second walls are substantially entirely unconnected to each other between the hub and the rim. The spokes are all connected to the hub substantially centered about a central plane and connected to the rim on one side of the central plane.