Abstract: A light supporting arrangement for an off the road vehicle for mounting lights in a relatively light-weight flexible fender. The fender is provided with an opening and a more rigid light supporting frame is received within the opening and is adapted to support the lights.

Abstract: A cylinder block construction for an overhead cam shaft type V-engine having a timing chain passage formed to allow the cylinder block to be used for diametrically opposite cylinders. Timing chain guides are positioned in the timing chain passage with one of the timing chain guides providing chain tension control. Tension control is achieved by pivotably mounting one of the chain guides and biasing the chain guide against the timing chain with a chain tension means mounted in an opening in the cylinder block. Symmetrical openings are formed on either side of the timing chained passage to receive the chain tension means. The unused opening is capped.

Abstract: A small, light-weight snowmobile having a chassis frame assembly comprised of a front frame member supporting a pair of steerable skis and a driver's seat and a rear frame member supporting an engine and a drive track device. The rear frame is swingably connected to the front frame by a parallel link mechanism and the arrangement is such that the driver is situated lower to the ground whereby the feeling of traveling at higher than actual speed is enhanced.

Abstract: Two embodiments of overhead camshaft internal combustion engines that provide a compact arrangement through a simplified bearing and thrust arrangement for the camshafts. In accordance with each embodiment, one of the lobes of the camshafts are positioned at the ends of the camshafts and the camshafts are axially located by thrust surfaces formed between pairs of lobes. In one embodiment of the invention, the camshaft operates three valves per cylinder. In this embodiment, the fastening means for affixing the cylinder head to the cylinder block lies beneath the camshafts and the camshafts have openings so that the fastening means may be tightened without necessitating removal of the camshafts.

Abstract: An improved induction system for a V type engine that improves both charging and combustion efficiency. The engine includes an induction system for each cylinder barrel that includes a pair of intake valves and respective intake passages that have a common inlet. One of the intake passages is curved and an auxiliary intake passage extends through the cylinder head and terminates at an auxiliary intake port that is disposed at one side of the main intake port in proximity to the cylinder barrel for generating a swirl to the intake charge. A plenum chamber is positioned in the V of the engine and defines two separate chambers each of which communicates with a respective one of the auxiliary intake passages.

Abstract: An embodiment of an induction system for internal combustion engines that permits maximum power output while at the same time insuring good running at low speeds without loss in mid-range torque. Independent intake passages communicate with each chamber of the engine. A throttle valve arrangement is included that includes a first manually operated throttle valve positioned in a common portion of the intake passages, a second manually operated throttle valve that is positioned in the first intake passage between the first throttle valve and the chamber, and a third throttle valve positioned in the second intake passage between the first throttle valve and the chamber. A linkage system interconnects the first and second throttle valves so that the second throttle valve is opened at a predetermined degree of opening of the first throttle valve. The linkage causes the first and second throttle valves to reach their fully opened position simultaneously.

Abstract: An induction system for an internal combustion engine wherein each chamber of the engine is provided with three intake ports and one charge former serves two of those intake ports while another charge former serves the other intake port. The charge formers employ a staged throttle valve arrangement so that the other charge former supplies the idle and low speed requirements and the first mentioned charge former comes into operation only at high speeds and loads. In accordance with another feature, the arrangement is provided for pairs of chambers and the single charge former serves two chambers.

Abstract: Several embodiments of valve arrangements for internal combustion engines that permit the use of three intake valves per cylinder while maintaining a small clearance volume and minimum surface area for the cylinder head. This is accomplished by positioning two of the valves so that their axes are inclined at a different angle to the line of reciprocation of the piston and which axes define a plane that intersects the axis of reciprocation of the remaining intake valve and which is positioned at a lesser angle to the axis of reciprocation. The head of the third valve is disposed at a lesser distance from the line of intersection than the heads of the other two valves so as to achieve the desired compactness. In some embodiments of the invention, the valves are operated directly and in others they are operated via rocker arms.

Abstract: A porting and valve arrangement for an internal combustion engine embodying three valves serving the same chamber. Separate passages extend from each of the valves and merge into a common symmetrical portion for facilitating good distribution and cooperation with an associated manifold or the like.

Abstract: An improved transmission mechanism for an off the road vehicle including a primary and an auxiliary transmission and a shifting interlock for precluding shifting of the auxiliary transmission into reverse when the primary transmission is in high gear. The interlock includes a simple, single straight link.

Abstract: Two embodiments of valve arrangements for internal combustion engines that permits the use of a plurality of valves for a given combustion chamber while operating all of the valves through a simplified camshaft arrangement. Some of the valves are operated directly by the cam lobes and others are operated by rocker arms. In addition, an embodiment is disclosed wherein a two rocker arm arrangement is employed for operating certain valves.

Abstract: A balancing device for a V-type internal combustion engine in which the angle of the V is not equal to 90.degree.. The balancing device comprises a shaft that is rotatable about an axis parallel to the axis of the crankshaft and which is driven at the same speed as the crankshaft but in the opposite direction. A first balancing mass is affixed to this shaft for balancing the first order inertial forces of the reciprocating masses of the cylinders and a pair of masses disposed on opposite sides of the first mass for balancing the couples generated by the offset of the connecting rods of the cylinders.

Abstract: Several embodiments of wire wheel arrangements embodying a hub portion, a rim portion and a plurality of spoke pairs for interconnecting the hub and rim portions. In accordance with all embodiments of the invention, the spoke pairs are comprised of ends that are integrally connected by an intermediate portion. The outer ends of the end portions are connected to the rim portion by nipples and the intermediate portion is connected to the hub portion to complete the assembly. Various preferred geometric relationships are disclosed as are arrangements for affixing the intermediate portions to the hub portion.

Abstract: Several embodiments of induction systems for internal combustion engines embodying three intake valves per cylinder. Each system divides the induction passage for each cylinder into at least two parts and a flow controlling throttle valve is positioned in one of the parts. In some embodiments, the parts have equal effective flow areas and in others they have unequal flow areas. In further embodiments, there are three intake passages serving the same chamber and throttle valves are positioned in two if them. In some of these embodiments, the throttle valves are operated simultaneously while in others they are operated in staged sequence.

Abstract: An off the road motorcycle having a balloon tired rear wheel that is suspended by a trailing arm and which is driven by a pair of flexible transmitters, one positioned closer to the motorcycle center line than the other so as to provide clearance for the rider's feet. An arrangement is provided for adjusting the tension in each of the two chains and one of these adjusting mechanisms moves the pivot point of the trailing arm relative to the frame.

Abstract: Several embodiments of valve actuating mechanisms for internal combustion engines that facilitate the use of more intake and/or exhaust valves than the other type of valve. This is accomplished by embodying lifters or tappets that have a smaller diameter for the valves having the greater number.

Abstract: An off the road motorcycle having a balloon tired rear wheel that is suspended by a trailing arm and which is driven by a pair of flexible transmitters, one positioned closer to the motorcycle center line than the other so as to provide clearance for the rider's feet. An arrangement is provided for adjusting the tension in each of the two chains and one of these adjusting mechanisms moves the pivot point of the trailing arm relative to the frame.

Abstract: An arrangement for rotatably supporting first and second camshafts associated with first and second series of plural valves for the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. A cylinder head is affixed to the cylinder block by fastening means that are equally spaced with respect to the cylinder bores while the camshafts are offset at different distances from the cylinder bore axis on opposite sides of the cylinder head. The fastening arrangement includes cam carriers and bearing caps that support the respective camshafts and which are spaced so as to avoid interference with each other and to provide uniform tightening loads.

Abstract: An automatic speed control mechanism for motorcycles or the like having a wire operating mechanism for positively connecting the accelerator grip to the throttle control of the engine. The automatic speed control includes a vacuum operated motor that is connected to the throttle wire system through a lost motion connection so that the manual throttle operation can operate unencumbered by the automatic speed control system.