Abstract: A suspension and steering system for the front wheel of a motorcycle. The system includes an upright extending along one side of the front wheel at a rake angle, to which the wheel is journalled by means of a cantilevered axle extending from one side of the lower end of the upright. The upright includes a lower section that resides within the inner diameter of the wheel rim and an arcuate upper section that extends upwardly and rearwardly around the wheel rim and tire. The upper end of the upright is connected to a telescoping, splined steering shaft that is journalled to an upper subframe and which transmits steering torque from a handlebar assembly through the upright to the front wheel. The upright is pivotably attached to upper and lower swing arms that extend forwardly from the body of the motorcycle. The lower swing arm extends around the side of the front wheel and functions to locate the lower section of the upright.

Abstract: A suspension and steering system for the front wheel of a motorcycle. The system includes an upright extending along one side of the front wheel at a rake angle, to which the wheel is journalled by means of a cantilevered axle extending from one side of the lower end of the upright. The upright includes a lower section that resides within the inner diameter of the wheel rim and an arcuate upper section that extends upwardly and rearwardly around the wheel rim and tire. The upper end of the upright is connected to a telescoping, splined steering shaft that is journalled to an upper subframe and which transmits steering torque from a handlebar assembly through the upright to the front wheel. The upright is pivotably attached to upper and lower swing arms that extend forwardly from the body of the motorcycle. The lower swing arm extends around the side of the front wheel and functions to locate the lower section of the upright.

Abstract: A rear single-sided swingarm suspension for a motorcycle includes a single-sided swingarm that has an axle bearing assembly pivotably connected to the rearward end thereof for swinging motion in a plane parallel to the plane of travel of the swingarm. A cantilevered wheel axle is journalled in the axle bearing assembly and is affixed to the rear wheel. A control arm, which is shorter than the swingarm, extends generally parallel to the swingarm and is pivotably connected to the motorcycle frame at a point rearward of the forward end of the swingarm. The axle bearing assembly also is pivotably attached to the rear end of the control arm. The wheel axle is journalled in the axle bearing assembly at a point rearward of the rear end of the swing arm and on the opposite side of the swingarm from the control arm.

Abstract: A front swing arm suspension system for a motorcycle is disclosed. The system includes a single one-sided swing arm that extends around one side of the front wheel. The swing arm and an upper control arm are each connected to an upright, to which the wheel is journalled by means of a cantilevered live axle. The upright is oriented generally along the rake angle of the front wheel and extends from the wheel axle upwardly and around the front wheel to a telescopic steering tube. The lower portion of the upright is positioned inside the wheel rim so as to enable a brake disk to be splined to the live axle on the opposite side of the upright from the wheel. The swing arm and the control arm are connected to the upright by universally pivotable joints which accommodate swinging motion of the front wheel during suspension travel while also accommodating steering rotation of the wheel.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a one-sided rear swing arm suspension system for a motorcycle having a chain-driven rear wheel, in which the tension of the drive chain may be adjusted without affecting the ride height of the motorcycle. The suspension system includes a rear swing arm (10) that is pivotably attached to the body (12) of the motorcycle, and which extends rearwardly around and alongside the rear wheel (16). The rear end of the swing arm includes elongate recesses which guide and receive an adjustment yoke (18). The rear wheel is journalled on a spindle (28) that extends transversely from the adjustment yoke. The yoke is positionable longitudinally on the swing arm by means of an adjustment stud (22) extending from the swing arm, and a corresponding adjustment nut (24) entrapped in the neck of the yoke.

Abstract: A front wheel drive system for a motorcycle. The system is particularly adapted to be incorporated in a one-sided front wheel suspension system. The front wheel drive system may be used alone, to provide a motorcycle having front wheel drive only, or it may be used in combination with a conventional rear wheel drive to provide a two wheel drive motorcycle. The system includes a control arm (24) which is pivotably attached to the motorcycle body (22) and which houses a drive chain (42). The drive chain is connected through a constant velocity ball joint to a second drive chain journalled in an upright kingpin (28), which connects to a wheel sprocket. The constant velocity joint allows power to be transmitted to the front wheel (12) while also allowing for steering and suspension motions of the front wheel.

Abstract: An anti-pitch system for a motorcycle having a rear swing arm suspension and a front suspension of the type including a control arm which is hinged to the chassis and which extends forwardly therefrom. The anti-pitch system includes a torsion rod which links the rear swing arm to the forward control arm. The torsion rod resists unequal angular displacements of the control arm and the swing arm relative to the chassis, thereby resisting pitching motions such as normally occur during hard braking of the front wheel or during hard acceleration. The torsion rod does not however affect substantially equal displacements of the front and rear suspensions, that is, substantially vertical motions of the motorcycle chassis, such as occur in response to varying weight loads on the motorcycle or in response to dips or rises in a road. The system is particularly adapted to a motorcycle having a one-sided front suspension system.

Abstract: A suspension system for the front wheel of a motorcycle. A pair of upper and lower control arms extend forwardly from the body of the motorcycle and are attached by universally pivotable ball joints to a kingpin which extends along one side of the front wheel. The front wheel includes an offset hub and is journalled in a cantilevered arrangement to a bearing assembly which is affixed to the lower end of the kingpin and which is positioned at the center of the wheel. The control arms are hinged to the body and are appropriately sprung and damped so that the kingpin and front wheel swing vertically in suspension travel with respect to the body in response to weight and shock loads on the front wheel. The kingpin is connected to a handlebar assembly by means of a telescopic splined steering column. A variety of springing and damping mechanisms may be adapted to the suspension system.