Abstract: By strategically placing a series of turbulators on a surface of a vehicle the aerodynamic drag on the vehicle is less than the vehicle without such turbulators. The turbulators change a laminar flow to a turbulent flow at a point before laminar flow separation from the vehicle without such turbulators.

Abstract: By strategically placing a series of turbulators on a surface of a vehicle the aerodynamic drag on the vehicle is less than the vehicle without such turbulators. The turbulators change a laminar flow to a turbulent flow at a point before laminar flow separation from the vehicle without such turbulators.

Abstract: A convertible motorcycle assembly has a chassis, a driver's seat, and a latch assembly which secures the driver's seat to the forward portion of the chassis. A bracket is mounted on the chassis adjacent the rearward end of the driver's seat, and selectively mounted on the chassis rearwardly of the driver's seat are interchangeable rear components comprising a passenger seat and a storage compartment. The forward end of the interchangeable rear components has at least one forwardly extending tongue engaged with the bracket, and the rear component is secured to the chassis by a second latch assembly adjacent the rear end of the rear component. This latch assembly includes a second releasable latch on the chassis and second key lock on the rear component engaged with the second latch assembly for effecting and preventing release of the second latch assembly.

Abstract: A motorcycle has a frame, a structure mounted on the frame, and a locking assembly locks the structure on the frame and has a latch pin mounted on the frame, and a latch housing mounted on the structure and having a passage into which the latch pin extends. A latch lever is pivotably mounted in the housing for movement into a latching position in which it engages the latch pin to prevent its retraction from the latch housing, and a spring biases the latch lever into the latching position. A key lock is mounted on the exterior of the structure and including a rotatable shaft and an arm or cable connected thereto engages the latch lever to effect its pivoting against the biasing action of the biasing means to disengage the latch lever from the latch pin and permit the structure to be disengaged from the latch pin.

Abstract: A motorcycle seatback and glove box assembly includes a mounting post having a lower end portion adapted to seat in a receptacle in a motorcycle seatback cushion member mounted on the upper end portion of the mounting post. The cushion member has a frame, cushioning material extending about the front and sides of the frame, and a flexible cover disposed over the cushioning material. A glove box is secured to the rear of the frame of the cushion member and includes a receptacle having an opening thereinto, a cover configured and dimensioned to cover the opening, and a hinge pivotally mounting the cover on the receptacle. Fasteners secure the receptacle to the frame of the backrest cushion.

Abstract: A convertible motorcycle seat includes a backrest hinge assembly having a base plate secured to the rear portion of the platform, and an elongated pivotable arm having transversely spaced depending ears, a pivot member extending transversely of, and journalled in upstanding ears on the base plate. The pivotable arm is pivotable into an erect position extending generally vertically and into a collapsed position extending generally forwardly of the saddle. The depending ears have a cam surface including a pair of spaced recesses spaced arcuately about the pivot member with a convexly arcuate lobe therebetween. An indexing pin extends transversely of the base plate, and biasing means biases the indexing pin against the cam surfaces of the depending ears and into one of the recesses whereby the pivotable arm is firmly held in an erect position or in a collapsed position.

Abstract: A vehicle has a chassis with a front and rear ends and at least one front wheel mounted on the front end. A one-sided swing arm having an outer end portion, a support portion including a strut assembly, and an inner end portion is pivotally mounted on the rear end of the chassis. A wheel mounting assembly is disposed on the outer end portion of the swing arm, and a rear wheel which is interchangeable with the front wheel is mounted thereon. In one embodiment, the vehicle includes steering means for pivoting the front wheel about a first vertical axis to control the direction of movement of the vehicle, and a hub and pivot means mounting the hub on the outer end of the swing arm for pivotal movement of the rear wheel about a second vertical axis. The rear wheel is rotatably supported on the hub and naturally tracks the front wheel in a cooperating turning arc.

Abstract: A method of making a motorcycle backrest which has a back support cushion with a handhold aperture, and a support arm for mounting the backrest on a motorcycle saddle or frame uses a mold with a cavity and central post. A rigid frame is encapsulated in a rigid resin base and a cushion layer is formed thereon. The base and cushion layer have an aperture extending therethrough. The flexible cover is formed about the cushion layer and about the periphery of the backrest structure and through the aperture, and it is secured to the surface of the rigid base. A protective cover plate is secured over the cover on the rigid base.