Abstract: A mounting member for mounting a luggage rack and/or a backrest to a motorcycle includes a concave recess on at least one side for snugly receiving a rounded side surface of a backrest assembly. This recess provides support to the back rest assembly such that vertical loads encountered during normal operation are carried by the snug engagement of the concave recess and the rounded side surface, reducing shear stress on fasteners used to couple the backrest to the mounting member. A portion of a motorcycle luggage rack is disposed over a rear portion of the mounting member and fasteners are extended through apertures in the luggage rack and threaded into substantially vertical threaded bores in the mounting member to affix the luggage rack to the mounting member.

Abstract: A saddlebag support assembly for use on a motorcycle includes a mounting member mounted to the motorcycle's shock bolt. A portion of the mounting member extends below a lower edge of the motorcycle's rear fender. The saddlebag support assembly also includes front and rear arms having front and rear plates. The front plate is mounted to the portion of the mounting member below the lower edge of the rear fender. An internal support member is mounted to the shock bolt and extends rearwardly thereof. The internal support member includes a depending portion defining a slot that receives the rear plate. The rear plate is fastened to the depending portion of the internal support member. The saddlebag support assembly further includes a bottom support for supporting the saddlebag from underneath, and a bracket having quick-release bosses. Quick-release fasteners are used to secure the saddlebag to the quick-release bosses from the inside of the saddlebag.

Abstract: A saddlebag includes a body and a lid pivotally attached to the body by a hinge assembly. The lid moves in a substantially translational manner to disengage and engage the body, and moves in a pivotal manner when not engaging the body. The saddlebag also includes a locking assembly selectively securing the lid in a closed position and being operable via a push-button located on an outer surface of the saddlebag body. A gas spring is interconnected between the body and the lid of the saddlebag, biasing the lid toward the open position such that depressing the push button releases the lid, allowing the gas spring to expand and fully open the saddlebag with no further intervention by the operator.

Abstract: An expandable saddlebag for a motorcycle that is adjustable between a contracted condition and an expanded condition. The expandable saddlebag includes a gusset, and a gusset closure mechanism that is moveable from a closed position to an open position to adjust the bag between the contracted and the expanded conditions, respectively. The expandable saddlebag also has a connecting device that allows for selectively opening and closing access to an interior cavity. The expandable saddlebag also includes a top cover selectively attachable to the expandable saddlebag in both the contracted and the expanded position. The expandable saddlebag also includes a saddlebag frame detachably secured to the frame of a motorcycle, and a handle to facilitate carrying the expandable saddlebag when it is detached from the motorcycle frame.

Abstract: A motorcycle having a system for combustion knock control. The motorcycle includes a spark generating circuit having a spark plug. The spark generating circuit produces a spark across a spark gap of the spark plug in response to a sparking signal. The motorcycle further includes an ion signal circuit that provides an ion signal indicative of an ion current being generated across the spark gap, and an analysis module electrically connected to the ion signal circuit and the spark generating circuit. The analysis module generates the sparking signal in a timed sequence, receives the ion signal from the ion signal generating circuit, measures a knock intensity within the ion signal, and modifies the timing sequence when knock is present.

Abstract: A system for determining engine phase in a motorcycle engine includes a crank gear sensor mounted near the crank gear of the engine, a pressure sensor mounted on the air intake manifold of the engine, and a processor communicating with the crank gear sensor and the pressure sensor. First and second groups of crank gear teeth pass by the crank gear sensor before either of the first and second pistons of the engine reaches TDC. A third group of crank gear teeth passes by the crank gear sensor before the first piston reaches TDC, but after the second piston reaches TDC. At low rpm, such as at start up, the processor determines the phase of the engine during a single rotation of the crankshaft by measuring and comparing the time periods taken by the group of teeth to pass by the crank gear sensor. At high rpm, the processor determines the phase of the engine using the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A thermostat housing assembly for a motorcycle engine includes a body portion defining a cavity and an inlet port communicating with the cavity. The inlet port is configured to be directly connected to a water jacket outlet. The thermostat housing assembly further includes a return port communicating with the cavity and configured to be coupled to a return line. A thermally-responsive valve in the cavity selectively prevents and allows communication between the cavity and the return port. Preferably, the thermostat housing assembly further includes a second inlet port communicating with the cavity and configured to be directly connected to a second water jacket outlet. Further preferably, the first and second inlet ports are substantially parallel to each other and the first inlet port is longer than the second inlet port. Each inlet port includes a connector for connecting the inlet port to a water jacket outlet.

Abstract: An oil-pump drive for an internal-combustion engine, in particular for a motorcycle. The drive includes an oil pump, in the housing of which is arranged at least one rotor member for supplying a volumetric flow of oil, wherein the rotor is driven via the crankshaft of the internal-combustion engine. It is proposed that the rotor of the oil pump is connected to a shaft driven directly by the crankshaft. In this way, the oil pump is directly driven in a simple manner.

Abstract: A latching assembly adapted to engage a mounting member. The latching assembly includes a support and a latching member movable mounted on the support for movement between a latched position and an unlatched position. A locking member is mounted for movement relative to the latching member between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking member is biased toward the locked position. A securing mechanism is coupled with the latching member and is movable between a secured position and an unsecured position. The locking member is adapted to move from the locked position to the unlocked position upon engagement of the locking member with the mounting member, and the latching member is adapted to pivot from the unlatched position to the latched position upon engagement of the locking member with the mounting member.

Abstract: An overhead cam motorcycle engine includes a cylinder head, a cam cover coupled to the cylinder head, a sealing gasket, and a substantially rigid insert. The cylinder head includes an aperture that is substantially axially aligned with an engine camshaft axis. The resilient gasket includes a sealing jacket that defines an opening. The gasket is positioned between the cylinder head and the cam cover such that the sealing jacket occupies the aperture. The insert is positioned in the opening in the sealing jacket to seal the cylinder head and cam cover interface.

Abstract: A friction clutch includes a driving gearwheel, a clutch hub, and a clutch cage. The clutch cage and the clutch hub are coupled together by way of non-positive frictional forces in the clutch cage. A driving disc is fixed to the clutch cage, and a gearbox input shaft is in toothed or splined engagement with the clutch hub. Torsional springs are interposed between the clutch cage and a driving gearwheel to permit the driving gearwheel to rotate within a limited range of motion with respect to the clutch cage. The driving gearwheel meshes with a primary gearwheel on a crankshaft. The crankshaft drives rotation of the gearbox input shaft through the driving gearwheel, the torsional springs, the clutch cage, and the clutch hub. A friction device is interposed between a collar of the driving gearwheel and the driving disc. The friction device damps torsional vibrations by non-positively coupling the driving gearwheel with the driving disc in the radial direction.

Abstract: A motorcycle engine includes a crankcase, a cam chest, and a separating wall between the crankcase and cam chest. An opening is defined in the wall and communicates between the cam chest and crankcase. A valve assembly, which is preferably a reed valve assembly, covers the opening and permits one-way flow of air from the crankcase into the cam chest in response to pressure differentials caused by reciprocation of the engine's pistons. The air is then forced into the engine's rocker boxes through the engine's pushrod tubes and forces oil in the rocker boxes to return to the crankcase through narrow oil drainback passages.

Abstract: A detachable component assembly including a detachable component and a pair of latching mechanisms mounted on the detachable component for securing the detachable component to a motorcycle mount upon movement of the detachable component toward the mount. The detachable component includes a pair of side plates each having a recess engageable with the mount, and the latching mechanisms each include a latching member pivotally mounted on the side plates movable relative to the side plates between an unlatched position, in which the recesses are engageable and disengageable with the mount, and a latched position, in which the recess is held in engagement with the mount. The detachable component assembly further includes a locking member movable relative to the latching member between an unlocked position, in which the latch member is movable between the latched and unlatched positions, and a locked position, in which the latch member is held in the latched position.