Abstract: An axle assembly for a motorcycle having a plurality of drive wheels. The axle assembly is configured to permit a user to replace an endless power-transmitting element without substantially disassembling the axle housing assembly.

Abstract: An axle assembly for a motorcycle having a plurality of drive wheels. The axle assembly is configured to permit a user to replace an endless power-transmitting element without substantially disassembling the axle housing assembly.

Abstract: An axle assembly for a motorcycle having a plurality of drive wheels. The axle assembly is configured to permit a user to replace an endless power-transmitting element without substantially disassembling the axle housing assembly.

Abstract: A method for replacing an endless power transmitting element in a motorcycle having a rear axle assembly with a pair of driven wheels. The method includes: removing the bearing caps from the carrier structure; disengaging the shafts from the differential assembly; moving the differential assembly away from carrier structure; mounting the endless power transmitting element about the differential assembly and through an opening in the carrier housing; replacing the bearing caps to the carrier structure; and re-engaging the shafts to the differential assembly.

Abstract: A modular axle assembly includes a first tube assembly and a second tube assembly interconnected by a center section. A number of different modular axle assemblies are constructed by using different center sections. For example, a non-driving axle includes a sleeve interconnecting first and second tube assemblies. A driving front axle includes a differential housing interconnecting the first and second tube assemblies.

Abstract: A modular axle assembly includes a first tube assembly and a second tube assembly interconnected by a center section. A number of different modular axle assemblies are constructed by using different center sections. For example, a non-driving axle includes a sleeve interconnecting first and second tube assemblies. A driving front axle includes a differential housing interconnecting the first and second tube assemblies.

Abstract: An aluminum driveshaft assembly is dynamically balanced by locating steel plates at desired locations on an exterior surface of an aluminum driveshaft, inserting tapered aluminum studs through tapered holes of the aluminum or steel plates, and inertia or friction welding the bases of the aluminum studs to the exterior surface of the driveshaft to retain the steel plates. Alternatively steel plates with round cylindrical holes are attached to the driveshaft by round cylindrical studs. The cylindrical studs are friction welded to the driveshaft after the aluminum or steel plates are located on the driveshaft and steel plates with cylindrical holes are then inserted onto the studs. Cylindrical studs may also be friction welded before the aluminum or steel plates are added. In this case aluminum or steel plates are then added and the stud is rolled over in a secondary operation.

Abstract: A drive shaft assembly includes an aluminum torque tube and aluminum yokes that are arc welded to the ends of the torque tube. The torque tube has a hollow cylindrical end portion at each end that is pressed onto an annular end portion of the respective yoke to form a narrow annular slit. The two parts are then arc welded together by forming an electric arc between the parts at the narrow annular slit and a consumable aluminum based electrode. The electric arc is sustained with a pulsed high amperage direct current to fill the narrow annular slit with aluminum based material from the consumable electrode in a single pass.