Abstract: An outboard engine assembly for use on a boat has an engine mechanism including in an upper region thereof an engine having a substantially vertical crankshaft and a vertical array of substantially horizontal cylinders. The engine mechanism is mounted on the stern of the boat by an attachment. The attachment includes a stern bracket adapted to be fixed to the stern of the boat, a swivel case supported on the stern bracket for vertical angular movement, a substantially vertical swivel shaft supported on the swivel case for horizontal angular movement, and a pair of upper and lower supports mounted on the swivel shaft and supporting the engine mechanism. The engine has joint members coupled to the upper support at a position between adjacent two crankshaft counterbalances which correspond to adjacent two cylinders, respectively, as viewed in side elevation, the joint members having respective portions located within a path of the two crankshaft counterbalances as viewed in plan.

Abstract: Disclosed is a V-type vertical engine which is particularly advantageous for use as an outboard marine engine. This engine typically comprises a crank shaft extending vertically; a pair of cylinder banks; intake ports which are located adjacent to the internal sides of the cylinder banks; intake tubes which are connected to the intake ports and, at least in part thereof, extend along a central line between the two cylinder banks away from a crank shaft of the engine; a carburetor unit including at least one carburetor having a pair of intake passages which communicate with the intake ports belonging to different ones of the cylinder banks and a single float chamber which is common to both the intake passages; exhaust ports which are located adjacent to the external sides of the cylinder banks; and exhaust passages which, at least in part thereof, extend along a cylinder axial line towards the crank case.

Abstract: A wheel suspension system for a motorcycle including a relatively stable member and a swingable member swingably connected with the stable member and supporting thereon a road wheel. The wheel suspension system comprises at least one torsion bar arranged on the stable member, a force transmission route adapted to transmit forces acting thereon, the force transmission route being connected with the swingable member and the torsion bar, and a lever type damper having an operation shaft adapted to provide damping forces when rotated, the operation shaft being engaged with the force transmission route.The system is substantially free from restrictions with respect to configuration and damping force producing direction.

Abstract: A motor vehicle having a steering handle, a rider's seat disposed behind the steering handle, a front wheel disposed in front of the steering handle and steerable by the steering handle, a rear wheel disposed behind the rider's seat, an engine for driving at least the rear wheels, and a side runner. The front and rear wheel are held in substantial alignment with each other along an axis. The side runner is disposed between the front and rear wheels as seen in side elevation and spaced transversely from the axis. The motor vehicle also has a steering mechanism for steering the side runner in coaction with the front wheel, and a structural body supporting the front and rear wheels and the side runner and defining a space located between the axis and the side runner and opening in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A telescopic front suspension including a bottom case (9; 31; 83; 111; 151) supporting a front wheel of a vehicle, and a fork pipe (8; 32; 84; 112; 152) slidably fitted in the bottom case. The telescopic front suspension has a restriction mechanism (18a; 19; 47, 48, 70, 71, 135, 136; 178, 179) for restricting, at a predetermined degree of contraction between the bottom case and the fork pipe, the relative expansion between the bottom case and the fork pipe.

Abstract: Three intake and two exhaust valves are arranged on a single circumferential line around the center of the combustion chamber with the longitudinal axes of the valves crossing at a single point on the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. An ignition plug is provided in the space between the two exhaust valves and is angled so that its forward end is directed towards the center of the combustion chamber. A single common cam shaft is provided horizontally at an intermediate position of the cylinder head between the intake valves and the exhaust valves.

Abstract: A multi-cylinder engine mounted on a motorcycle includes at least two cylinders arranged in a V-configuration. At least one cylinder of the engine extends downwardly and frontwardly relative to the motorcycle. The remaining cylinder(s) of the engine extend upwardly and frontwardly, and the lower and upper cylinders define a obtuse angle therebetween in a vertical plane.

Abstract: A rear suspension system mounted on a motorcycle having a body frame, a rear wheel and a rear wheel supporting member which is pivotable together with a vertical movement of the rear wheel. The system comprises a pivotal damper disposed on the body frame and having an operating shaft which is integrally pivotable with a link member interlocked with the rear wheel supporting member, and a coil spring tensioned between the body frame and the link member in a position different from the position of the pivotal damper. With such arrangement, there is attained increased design freedom with respect to changing the capacity of the damper, reduction in size and weight of the coil spring, and increase in size and capacity of devices disposed in the vicinity of the coil spring.

Abstract: An anti-lifting mechanism which utilizes a braking torque during braking of a rear wheel of a motor vehicle to prevent the vehicular body frame from being lifted up at the rear portion thereof. The anti-lifting mechanism includes a torque link arrangement for transmitting the braking torque to the vehicular body, the torque link arrangement comprising a substantially straight first torque transfer member, a substantially straight second torque transfer member and a link member interposed between the first and the second torque transfer members to interconnect the torque transfer members. Because the torque link arrangement can be constituted as a bent path, its constituent members can be disposed a selective arrangement, and the unsprung load of a shock absorber is reduced.

Abstract: A multi-cylinder engine for a motor vehicle comprises at least two cylinders mounted in mutually displaced relationship with respect to longitudinal and transverse directions of the vehicle. The crankshaft for one of the cylinders is located at a higher level than the crankshaft for the other cylinder. A crankcase assembly of the engine is vertically divided into pieces by a plurality of planes extending perpendicular to the crankshafts and each plane passing through each center of the cylinders. The engine provides first and second gears mounted on the primary shaft, a crank gear for one of the crankshaft, a crank gear for the other crankshaft, and an idle gear. The first gear is in meshing engagement with the crank gear for one of the crankshaft, while the second gear is connected to the other crank gear through the idle gear.

Abstract: An improved rear wheel suspension for a motorcycle is provided which includes a body frame, a rear wheel support frame such as a rear fork pivotally mounted on the body frame for upward and downward movement relative thereto and rotatably supporting a rear wheel, at least one rear shock absorber disposed between the body frame and the rear wheel support frame for damping the relative movement between the body frame and the rear wheel, and a mechanism for adjusting the damping force of the rear shock absorber in a manner such that the rate of increase in the compression stroke of the rear shock absorber is increased in proportion to the upward movement of the rear wheel relative to the body frame.

Abstract: A front suspension system for a motorcycle, including an upper fork member supported by a vehicle body frame, a lower fork member which supports a front wheel and a link mechanism connecting between the upper and lower fork members. The system includes a pivotal damper which provides a pivotal reaction force proportional to a pivoted amount thereof in operative cooperation with the link mechanism. The pivotal damper is disposed in the interior of the upper fork member to thereby attain simplification of the construction, reduction of the number of parts and improvement of the aesthetic appeal.

Abstract: A link type front wheel suspension system comprising an upper fork, a lower fork, links connecting between the upper fork and the lower fork, a shock absorber for a front wheel, and a transmission system for transmitting a load received by the front wheel to the shock absorber through the lower fork and the connecting links. The shock absorber of the suspension system is supported by a vehicle body frame and the transmission of load to the shock absorber is performed through a fluid circuit, whereby reduction in weight of the system and reduction in the moment of inertia in the steering operation is attained.

Abstract: A front wheel suspension system for motorcycles which cooperates with a front wheel suspension including an upper fork supported by a motorcycle frame and a lower fork supporting the front wheel. The system includes a rotary lever type damper operatively coupled to the lower fork. The rotary lever type damper is disposed between a pair of side members comprising the upper fork, thus reducing unsprung weight.

Abstract: A front wheel suspension system for motorcycles wherein only one front shock absorber is provided and is arranged adjacent the upper part of the front surface of an upper fork. The shock absorber and at least one link mechanism forming a quadrilateral on the side are connected with each other through a rod functioning as a load transmitting member. The number of shock absorbers is thus reduced, the weight of the suspension system is reduced, the moment of inertia required to rotate the suspension system to the right and left is reduced, and the shock absorber is protected from being adversely affected by mud or the like.

Abstract: A front wheel suspension for a motorcycle including at least one first linkage in the form of a four-bar linkage having an upper fork assembly pivoted to the vehicle frame and a lower fork assembly supporting the front wheel, the upper fork assembly and the lower fork assembly being connected with each other through front and rear arms which are both pivotable, and at least one shock absorber, wherein at least one second linkage is interposed between the first linkage and the shock absorber, the second linkage having an input part pivotably connected to the first linkage and an output part pivotably connected to one of the ends of the shock absorber, the output part being movable by a progressive displacement additional to a displacement of the input part with respect to a direction substantially effective for the shock absorber to exhibit the function thereof.

Abstract: An improved rear wheel suspension for a motorcycle is provided which includes a body frame, a rear wheel support frame such as a rear fork pivotally mounted on the body frame for upward and downward movement relative thereto and rotatably supporting a rear wheel, at least one rear shock absorber disposed between the body frame and the rear wheel support frame for damping the relative movement between the body frame and the rear wheel, and a mechanism for adjusting the damping force of the rear shock absorber in a manner such that the rate of increase in the compression stroke of the rear shock absorber is increased in proportion to the upward movement of the rear wheel relative to the body frame.