Abstract: A saddlebag mounting system for use with a motorcycle defining an aperture includes a saddlebag frame including a projection configured to extend at least partially through the aperture and having an undercut. The undercut is configured to receive a portion of the motorcycle frame adjacent to the aperture to couple the saddlebag frame to the motorcycle. The saddlebag mounting system also includes a saddlebag coupled to the saddlebag frame.

Abstract: A vehicle comprising a rotatable wheel (e.g., three rotatable wheels), a forward drive mechanism including a forward drive motor (e.g., an internal combustion engine), and a reverse drive mechanism. The reverse drive mechanism includes a reverse drive motor (e.g., an electric motor) adapted to move the chassis in the rearward direction, and a reverse drive control programmed to inhibit operation of the reverse drive mechanism when the forward drive motor is off. In one embodiment, the vehicle includes a battery for operating the reverse drive motor, and the reverse drive control is programmed to inhibit operation of the motor when a characteristic of the battery (e.g., an output voltage) falls below a threshold. The vehicle can further include a temperature sensor for the reverse drive motor. In this embodiment, the reverse drive control is programmed to inhibit operation of the reverse drive motor when the temperature of the motor exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A three-wheeled vehicle includes a frame including a longitudinal axis and a steering head, an engine-transmission assembly coupled to the frame, a steering assembly pivotably coupled to the steering head, a front wheel rotatably coupled to the steering assembly, a rear axle assembly, a control arm coupling the rear axle assembly to the frame, a pair of rear wheels rotatably supported by the rear axle assembly, and a substantially laterally-extending link interconnecting the rear axle assembly and the frame to control lateral motion of the rear axle assembly relative to the frame.

Abstract: A three-wheeled vehicle includes a main frame assembly having a steering head disposed on a front portion of the main frame assembly, a front fork assembly pivotably coupled to the steering head, a front wheel rotatably supported by the front fork assembly, a rear frame coupled to a rear portion of the main frame assembly, a rear axle assembly coupled to at least one of the main frame assembly and the rear frame, a pair of rear wheels rotatably supported by the rear axle assembly, an engine-transmission assembly supported by the main frame assembly and positioned between the front wheel and the pair of rear wheels, and a body including a first mounting portion directly mounted to the main frame assembly, and a second mounting portion directly mounted to the rear frame.

Abstract: A storage compartment, configured to be supported by a vehicle frame, includes a body having an inner surface defining a cavity and an opening for access to the cavity, a door movable between an open position in which the door exposes the opening and a closed position in which the door covers the opening, and a hinge assembly coupling the door and the body. The hinge assembly is enclosed within the cavity when the door is in the closed position. The hinge assembly includes a first four-bar linkage mounted to the body and a second four-bar linkage mounted to the door. The first and second four-bar linkages have at least two unitary links in common.

Abstract: A control cable adjuster including a first adjusting element with a first engagement portion, a second adjusting element with a second engagement portion coupled to the first engagement portion, and a rigid cover removably coupled to at least one of the first adjusting element and the second adjusting element. The second adjusting element configured for adjustable axial movement relative to the first adjusting element while maintaining the first and second engagement portions coupled together. The rigid cover is movable between a covered position where the rigid cover substantially covers a portion of the first engagement portion, and an exposed position where the rigid cover substantially exposes a portion of the first engagement portion.

Abstract: A torque dampening compensator for a vehicle including an isolator member disposed between an input member and an output member. The isolator member includes isolator elements disposed between corresponding lugs of the respective input and output members. The lugs of the output member have a draft angle, and the isolator elements have contact faces corresponding to the respective lugs with unequal axial depths to induce a moment on each isolator element that counteracts a thrust load between the input and output members initiated by the draft angle. One isolator element of the isolator member is formed to have a size corresponding to the space provided between adjacent lugs of the input and output members and a shape that is dissimilar from the space. The one isolator element is resiliently deformable into the space.

Abstract: An aesthetically pleasing and functional axle nut cover assembly for a motorcycle using minimal threaded fasteners and taking advantage of elastic deformation between multiple portions of a mounting bracket to bias the mounting bracket and a cover member to a motorcycle swingarm to reduce vibration and noise. Separate deformations in the mounting bracket occur during assembly of the mounting bracket to the swingarm and during assembly of the cover member to the mounting bracket. Spring portions of the mounting bracket are maintained in deformed conditions when the axle nut cover assembly is assembled.

Abstract: A gear shifter for a motorcycle having a rotatable shifter shaft. The gear shifter includes a shifter arm having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the shifter arm is configured to engage the shifter shaft. The gear shifter further includes a shifter peg movably coupled to the second portion of the shifter arm such that the shifter peg is pivotable with respect to the shifter arm between a first position and a second position. A retainer assembly is operable to selectively retain the shifter peg in each of the first and the second positions.

Abstract: A helmet includes an outer shell, an energy-absorbing layer disposed inside the outer shell, and a liner disposed inside of the energy-absorbing layer. The liner includes a central portion configured to extend along a longitudinal axis that runs between a front portion of the helmet and a rear portion of the helmet, a first side portion releasably coupled to the central portion, and a second side portion releasably coupled to the central portion.

Abstract: A reverse drive assembly for a motorcycle that includes a transmission assembly having a main shaft and a counter shaft. The reverse drive assembly includes a first drive member configured to be coupled to an opposite end of the main shaft, a second drive member configured to be coupled to a second end of the counter shaft, and an engagement member operatively positioned between the second drive member and the counter shaft. The engagement member is movable between a first position out of engagement with the second drive member and the counter shaft, and a second position in engagement between the second drive member and the counter shaft to drive the counter shaft in a reverse direction. In some constructions, the engagement member is operatively positioned between the first drive member and the main shaft.

Abstract: A cylinder head assembly for an internal combustion engine including a cylinder head at least partially defining a flow path through the engine, including an intake port, an exhaust port, and a combustion chamber disposed between the intake post and the exhaust port. A valve is coupled to the cylinder head and movable relative to the cylinder head to selectively open the combustion chamber to one of the intake port and the exhaust port. A valve spring is positioned between the valve and the cylinder head and biases the valve to a closed position. A thermally insulating washer is positioned between the cylinder head and the valve spring.

Abstract: An adjustable backrest assembly includes a backrest and a first frame member coupled to the backrest. The adjustable backrest assembly also includes a second frame member configured to be coupled with a motorcycle. The first frame member is slidable relative to the second frame member along an adjustment axis. The adjustable backrest assembly further includes an actuator movable in the direction of the adjustment axis or about the adjustment axis to selectively allow adjustment of the backrest relative to the second frame member along the adjustment axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle including a frame, a drive assembly supported by the frame, a rear wheel coupled to the frame, and a pulley assembly supported for rotation on the frame and positioned between the drive assembly and the rear wheel. The pulley assembly transfers power generated by the drive assembly to the rear wheel. The vehicle also includes a frame member positioned outboard of the pulley assembly and removably coupled to the frame to at least partially support the pulley assembly for rotation on the frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle including a frame, a rear wheel, a swingarm coupling the rear wheel to the frame, and a pivot shaft assembly rotatably coupling the swingarm to the frame. The pivot shaft assembly includes a first shaft having a non-circular outer surface engageable with a corresponding non-circular aperture in the frame. The pivot shaft assembly also includes a second shaft threaded to one end of the first shaft. The second shaft pivotably supports one side of the swingarm with respect to the frame. The pivot shaft assembly further includes a third shaft threaded to the other end of the first shaft. The third shaft pivotably supports the other side of the swingarm with respect to the frame.

Abstract: A dipstick that measures and externally indicates the temperature and level of a fluid within a fluid reservoir. For example, in one embodiment the dipstick measures and externally indicates the oil temperature and oil level of oil within an oil reservoir of a motorcycle or other vehicle. The fluid temperature and level are indicated on an externally viewable portion of the dipstick, such as an exposed end or cap. The viewable portion indicates the fluid level when the fluid temperature is within guidelines recommended by the manufacturer or when the fluid temperature reaches a minimum threshold temperature.

Abstract: A tail light assembly for a motorcycle includes a first array of at least one LED in illuminated in at least a first color. The first group of LEDs operates in a non-operating condition, a running condition where each LED of the first array is illuminated at first intensity, and a braking condition where each LED is illuminated at a second, brighter intensity. A second array of at least one LED is illuminated in at least a second color. The second array operates in a non-operating condition, and a flashing condition where each LED of the second array alternates between being illuminated and not illuminated. Each LED of the first array is illuminated at the first or the second intensity while each LED of the second array alternates between being illuminated and not illuminated in the flashing condition.

Abstract: The present invention provides an air intake assembly including a first portion defining a first chamber through which airflow passes. The first portion is coupled to a first throttle member to allow communication from the first chamber to the first throttle member. The air intake assembly also includes a first filter element coupled to the first portion and positioned upstream of the first chamber, and a second portion defining a second chamber through which airflow passes. The second portion is coupled to a second throttle member to allow communication from the second chamber to the second throttle member. The air intake assembly further includes a second filter element coupled to the second portion and positioned upstream of the second chamber, and a conduit coupling the first and second portions. The conduit allows communication between the first and second chambers at a location downstream of the first and second filter elements.

Abstract: A method of reducing heat produced by an internal combustion engine in a motorcycle. The method includes supplying fuel pulses to a combustion chamber at least once per engine cycle (consecutive engine cycles defining a series of consecutive fuel pulses), operating the motorcycle at a low speed condition, and withholding at least a portion of at least one fuel pulse from at least one subsequent engine cycle to the combustion chamber when operating the motorcycle at the low speed condition.

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.