Abstract: An apparatus comprising a body, an actuator assembly and an actuator control assembly. The actuator assembly includes a lever arm in pivoting engagement with the body about a pivot axis spaced apart from an axis of a handlebar to which the body is attached. The lever arm is associated with a suspension adjust cable. The actuator control assembly includes a locking assembly and an adjustment assembly. The locking assembly is associated with each of the body and the actuator assembly. The locking assembly is capable of preventing pivoting of the actuator relative to the body in a first position corresponding to a first suspension setting. The adjustment assembly is associated with each of the body and the actuator assembly. The adjustment assembly is capable of preventing pivoting of the actuator relative to the body in a second position corresponding to a second suspension setting.

Abstract: A suspension device for a handcycle has a first frame member and a second frame member pivotally coupled to the first frame member. A shock absorber is disposed between the first and second frame members. A lever assembly is disposed between the first and second frame members to transfer motion of the second frame member into the shock absorber. The lever assembly includes a lever pivotally coupled to the first frame member. The lever includes first and second arms coupled at an angle which allows motion of the second frame member to be directed into the shock absorber. The lever assembly is configured to transfer a vertical motion of the second frame member into non-vertical motion directed into the shock absorber. The suspension device further includes a third frame member. The first and second frame members are rotationally coupled to the third frame member.

Abstract: A front fork includes a body side tube, an axle side tube, a damper, a reservoir, a damping force adjusting flow passage, and a solenoid valve including a spool housing portion provided at an intermediate position of the damping force adjusting flow passage, a spool valve inserted into the spool housing portion movably in an axial direction, and a solenoid that drives the spool valve in an axial direction, and configured to adjust a flow passage area of the damping force adjusting flow passage. Pressure receiving areas on opposite axial sides of the spool valve on which a pressure in an upstream side of the damping force adjusting flow passage acts are made equal. An upper arrangement passage which is arranged at least higher than the upper end of the spool housing portion is provided in a downstream side of the damping force adjusting flow passage.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vehicle suspension system where two or more flexible members are arranged in a non-planar way with a distance there between. These flexible members are being rigidly mounted between a frame structure of a vehicle and a wheel structure of the vehicle and the arrangement of the flexible members is so as to provide guided suspension and being resistive against forces other than those in the intended direction of the suspension movement.

Abstract: A spring for a suspension is described. The spring includes: a spring chamber divided into at least a primary portion and a secondary portion, and a fluid flow path coupled with and between the primary portion and the secondary portion. The fluid flow path includes a bypass mechanism, wherein the bypass mechanism is configured for automatically providing resistance within the fluid flow path in response to a compressed condition of the suspension.

Abstract: A front fork spring leg, which is capable of stably maintaining air spring, has an inward-facing seal member, an outward-facing seal member, and a piston ring arranged on an outer periphery of a guide of a guide rod sequentially in this order along an axial direction of the guide from a side close to an inner air spring chamber toward a side far from the inner air spring chamber. The inward-facing seal member has a lip which is slidably in contact with an inner periphery of the guide cylinder, with this lip being oriented toward the inner air spring chamber. The outward-facing seal member has a lip which is slidably in contact with the inner periphery of the guide cylinder, with this lip being oriented in an opposite direction to the inner air spring chamber.

Abstract: The invention broadly includes a suspension system for a vehicle that includes a vehicle frame, at least one pair of shock absorbers attached to the frame and having piston stems extending from the shock absorbers and attached to extension arms pivotally attached to the frame. The extension arms are attached to the tire axles optionally attached to support arms. The support arms are also attached to the pivot connection. The pivot connection is between the axle and the shock absorber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a suspension fork (1) having at least one positive chamber (31), at least one negative chamber (32) and an adjusting device (40) for adjusting the length of the suspension fork (1), the adjusting device (40) comprising a valve means (50) which is arranged between the at least one positive chamber (31) and the at least one negative chamber (32), and an actuation device (60), characterized in that the actuation device (60) has at least one first position for adjusting a short length of the suspension fork (1) (lowered suspension fork) and at least one second position for adjusting a long length of the suspension fork (1) (extended suspension fork).

Abstract: A bicycle is provided having a unitary steering tube-crown member and a unitary crank arm-spindle member. A multistage aluminum 3D forging process is used to form the unitary members. This may allow the fabrication of components with substantially hollow interior areas to reduce weight, reduce part count while maintaining high strength and ductility. The multistage 3D forging process provided also allows the combination of multiple components into a single unitary part.

Abstract: A front fork includes a fork body having an outer tube and an inner tube relatively movably inserted into the outer tube in an axial direction, a damper housed in the fork body to dampen relative movement between the outer and inner tubes, a biasing member that biases the fork body in an expansion direction at all times, an annular dust seal that is held in the outer tube and makes sliding contact with an outer circumference of the inner tube, an annular oil seal that is held in the outer tube inside the fork body to be inner than the dust seal and makes sliding contact with the outer circumference of the inner tube, and a C-shaped scraper that is provided between the dust seal and the oil seal and makes sliding contact with the outer circumference of the inner tube.

Abstract: A bicycle suspension control apparatus includes a user operating device and a control device. The control device is operatively coupled to the user operating device to selectively control a front bicycle suspension between a plurality of operating states and a rear bicycle suspension between a plurality of operating states. The control device is configured to selectively change the operating states of both the front and rear bicycle suspensions to different ones of the operating states in response to a single operation of the user operating device. The control device controls the front and rear bicycle suspensions such that a first operating state change operation of one of the front and rear bicycle suspensions occurs later than a second operating state change operation of the other of the front and rear bicycle suspensions.

Abstract: A steering mechanism may include a four-bar linkage having a ground link, a coupler link, and a pair of follower links. The ground link may be connected to a vehicle having a wheel defining a wheel centerline. The coupler link may be connected to the wheel and may be located aft of the ground link. The pair of follower links may pivotally connect the ground link to the coupler link. The follower links may extend aftwardly from the ground link at converging angles and may define a steering axis located aft of the wheel centerline.

Abstract: A bicycle assembly can include a front or rear suspension system with a shock absorber. A front suspension system can be a suspension fork. A rear suspension system can include a rear shock absorber. The shock can have a shock body and a pressurized main air chamber within the shock body to act as an air spring. The shock can also have a valve configured to receive a pump for adding air to the main air chamber. A secondary air chamber and a control member can be used to reduce the pressure within the main air chamber by venting the secondary air chamber to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A bicycle fork includes a pair of fork leg assemblies, each of the leg assemblies having an upper leg telescopingly engaged with a lower leg. A damping assembly is provided in at least one of the legs. The damping assembly includes lock-out and blow-off compression circuits. These compression circuits are externally adjustable without tools. Furthermore, these two compression circuits may be adjusted independently of each other.

Abstract: This invention allows motorcycle owner to easily change the rake and height of a motorcycle by the providing an upper tree assembly with spherical bearing connected by a center stem internally to the frame neck bearing housing. The lower tree assembly with a spherical bearing and an interchangeable degree rake puck being connected to the center stem. Tube extensions inserted into the motorcycle stock factory fork tubes and attached to the upper tree and lower tree allows height adjustments. A removable screw in the top of tube extensions inserted into a hollow bore through the center of tube extension allows service of the motorcycle fork tube hydraulic oil.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a hydraulic compression stop. The hydraulic stop includes a pressure tube surrounding the pressure tube of the shock absorber and a piston in hydraulic communication with the interior of the pressure tube. The piston can be disposed within the pressure tube and can be attached to the pressure tube or to the shock absorber. The hydraulic stop can also include a hydraulic fluid chamber and the piston can be disposed within the hydraulic fluid chamber.

Abstract: A head tube assembly suitable for a bicycle and comprising an open steerer configuration and cable routing. The head tube assembly comprises a head tube configured to connect with the top tube and down tube of the bicycle. The head tube includes a lower bearing component and an upper bearing component configured to rotatably engage the fork assembly. The fork assembly comprises an external steerer configured to rotate externally to the head tube. The head tube assembly includes an upper steerer section configured to secure the external steerer, and an internal chamber configured with an aperture for receiving one or more cables and being coupled to the top tube or the down tube. The internal chamber includes one or more guide tubes configured to route the cable(s) through the interior portion of the top tube or the down tube.

Abstract: A suspension system for use with a motorcycle includes a device for producing a supply of pressurized air. The suspension system is operably disposed between a frame member and a wheel frame member of the motorcycle. The suspension system comprises at least one double-acting pneumatic cylinder.

Abstract: A lower leg (1) for a suspension fork has two tubes (2, 3) with, in each case, a receptacle device (4, 5) for receiving a stanchion tube displaceably mounted in the receptacle device. Two stabilizers (6, 7) connect those end regions of the two tubes which are opposite the dropouts of the tubes to one another. The lower leg (1) has a stiffening member (8, 9) which connects the two stabilizers to one another.

Abstract: A set of triple clamps in a front suspension system of a motorcycle, has a top triple clamp and a bottom triple clamp designed to provide a pivoting connection of the front suspension system of the motorcycle with the frame of the motorcycle. The set also has a fixing system for receiving the handlebars of the motorcycle and fixing them to the top triple clamp. According to one feature, the fixing system has a handlebar damper system the movement axis of which is substantially parallel to the movement axis of the front suspension system of the motorcycle.

Abstract: A bicycle damping system is arranged to reduce vibrations that originate at the bicycle wheel and are transmitted to the rider of the bicycle. Desirably, a front fork assembly is configured to be supported by a bicycle frame and includes a pair of fork legs, which extend in a downward direction along opposing sides of a front wheel of the bicycle. Preferably, the fork legs are configured to support the front wheel at their lower ends. Each of the fork legs can define a cavity and a damping member is positioned within the cavity. The damping member can be forced into contact with a surface of the fork leg. Seat stays, chain stays, the seat post and other components of the bicycle can also include a damping system.

Abstract: A self-regulating suspension includes a first suspension member movable relative to a second suspension member, a fluid reservoir having a volume, the volume variable in response to a relative movement between the first and second suspension members, and a fluid flow circuit having a first end in fluidic communication with the fluid reservoir and a second end in fluidic communication with an isolated suspension location, the fluid flow circuit comprising a first valve, a second valve and a third valve, wherein said first and third valves are in parallel with each other and the second valve is in series with each of the first and third valves.

Abstract: A vehicle shock absorber includes a plurality of communication holes axially provided side by side in a peripheral wall of the cylinder of the damper, another communication hole provided in a peripheral wall of the cylinder and located below a position of piston of the damper, and a third oil chamber provided in an outer tube and an inner tube of a fork body and outside the cylinder and communicating with only a second oil chamber via the communication holes. This configuration enables the vehicle shock absorber to make a damping force generated by the damper positional dependent, and suppresses the entering of an air bubble into the cylinder, even when a cylinder of the damper is located above an oil level in an oil reservoir within the absorber body.

Abstract: The invention broadly includes a suspension system for a vehicle that includes a vehicle frame, at least one pair of shock absorbers attached to the frame and having piston stems extending from the shock absorbers and attached to extension arms pivotally attached to the frame. The extension arms are attached to the tire axles optionally attached to support arms. The support arms are also attached to the pivot connection. The pivot connection is between the axle and the shock absorber.

Abstract: A suspension fork for a bicycle has a tube system with an inner tube and an outer tube that are movable relative to one another. A damper system with a field-sensitive damping fluid is provided within the tube system. The damper device has a damper chamber that is partitioned to form a first chamber and a second chamber by a movable piston attached to a piston rod. A first throttle valve with a first field generating device and a second throttle valve with a second field generating device enable influencing the first and second throttle valves. First and second switching valves are provided. The first and second throttle valves and the first and second switching valves are interconnected such that in the compression stage there is flow only through the first throttle valve while in the rebound stage the first and second throttle valves are connected in series.

Abstract: A damper device for a bicycle suspension fork has a magneto-rheological damping medium. A piston partitions a damper chamber into first and second chambers that are connected via a return duct, an adjustable throttle valve, and a transfer duct. A field-generating device generates a magnetic field in a damping duct of the throttle valve. A one-way circuit is provided for the damping medium, with two one-way valves disposed to cause a same direction of circulation of the damping fluid both when the piston rod plunges into and retracts from the damper chamber. A first one-way valves in the piston allows a flow of the damping medium from the second into the first chamber. A second one-way valve in the transfer duct allows a damping medium flow from the transfer duct into the second chamber. The adjustable throttle valve control the plunge and the retraction of the piston rod.

Abstract: A set of triple clamps in a front suspension system of a motorcycle, has a top triple clamp and a bottom triple clamp designed to provide a pivoting connection of the front suspension system of the motorcycle with the frame of the motorcycle. The set also has a fixing system for receiving the handlebars of the motorcycle and fixing them to the top triple clamp. According to one feature, the fixing system has a handlebar damper system the movement axis of which is substantially parallel to the movement axis of the front suspension system of the motorcycle.

Abstract: A steering bearing assembly includes a cap and a bearing element that define an axial force transmission path therethrough. A compression ring is moveably coupled to the cap and is disposed radially inwardly of the bearing assembly outside of the axial force transmission path. The compression ring includes an inner annular surface adapted to transmit a radial compressive force from the cap to a steerer element. A steering assembly, and method for assembling the steering assembly, also are provided.

Abstract: A steering mechanism may include a four-bar linkage having a ground link, a coupler link, and a pair of follower links. The ground link may be connected to a vehicle having a wheel defining a wheel centerline. The coupler link may be connected to the wheel and may be located aft of the ground link. The pair of follower links may pivotally connect the ground link to the coupler link.

Abstract: In a straddle type vehicle having front forks, the left front fork is in an elliptical shape portion whose axial cross section is formed so as to be wider in the width direction of the vehicle as compared to a length in the front and rear direction at the portion located in front of the brake caliper. The brake caliper is disposed so as to be overlapped with the elliptical shape portion, viewed from the front direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A bicycle air shock absorber assembly that includes a hollow piston rod that is telescopically associated with a hollow compression rod. The piston rod and compression rod are positioned within the casing of the shock assembly. A piston is supported by the piston rod and divides the volume of the compression rod to form a negative air spring chamber and a positive air spring chamber that includes the volume of the piston rod. An optional coil spring is positioned within the casing and contributes in parallel with the positive air spring chamber to resist compression of the shock assembly.

Abstract: A front fork in which a stroke amount of a spring leg that relies on an air spring can be detected precisely, wherein pressure leaks in the spring leg are detectable. The front fork has: a guide cylinder that extends from one of a vehicle body-side tube or an axle-side tube that make up a spring leg; a piston mounted to the leading end of a guide rod extending from the other one of the tubes; an inner airspring chamber in the interior of the guide cylinder; an outer airspring chamber, outward of the inner airspring chamber, in the interior of the vehicle body-side tube and the axle-side tube; first and second detectors for detecting pressure and temperature in the outer airspring chamber the inner airspring chamber, respectively; and stroke detection compensator for detecting a stroke amount on the basis of outputs of the first and second detectors.

Abstract: A fluid flow control structure for a bicycle device is basically provided with a main body, at least one port and a plug. The main body has a first chamber, a second chamber and a third chamber. The at least one port is in fluid communication with the first chamber. The plug is moved toward a first axial direction to close the port, and is moved toward a second axial direction that is opposite the first axial direction to open the port. The plug includes a dividing portion dividing the second chamber and the third chamber such that the third chamber widens as the plug moves to close the port and the third chamber shrinks as the plug moves to open the port. The plug includes a passage fluidly connecting the first chamber to the third chamber.

Abstract: A bicycle fork leg including a pressurized gas chamber functioning as a shock absorber and a piston adjacent to the bicycle fork leg. A movable compression rod which moves toward the piston when a force is imparted to the bicycle leg. A rubber or compliant member within the piston. The movable compression rod coming in contact with the compliant member to reduce low amplitude high frequency shocks.

Abstract: A telescopic suspension fork leg, such as may be used in a motorcycle. The fork leg has an inner tube and an outer tube and a damping arrangement and a spring arrangement, which is arranged within a first chamber which is formed in the outer tube and is supported against a second chamber formed by the damping arrangement and arranged beneath the first chamber, which is constructed to receive a damping fluid. The damping arrangement has a piston, on a piston rod, with upper and lower piston surfaces. The piston is displaceable within a damping tube arranged largely concentrically to the inner tube, and the damping tube is surrounded by an annulus chamber arranged largely concentrically to the damping tube, and a sealing arrangement, displaceable along the piston rod, is provided between the first and second chambers.

Abstract: A front fork includes a damper that generates a damping force, a cylinder body that houses the damper, a reservoir formed on an exterior of the cylinder body, a rod body that is inserted into the cylinder body to be capable of advancing and retreating, a piston portion that defines an upper chamber and a lower chamber within the cylinder body, a through hole allows a working fluid to flow from the cylinder body into the reservoir, a flow rate control mechanism that is disposed in the vehicle body side tube to face an upper end opening of the through hole, and applies a resistance to a flow of the working fluid flowing toward the reservoir from the rod body, and a driving mechanism that drives the flow rate control mechanism to adjust an expansion side damping force and a contraction side damping force generated by the damper.

Abstract: A bicycle damping system is arranged to reduce vibrations that originate at the bicycle wheel and are transmitted to the rider of the bicycle. Desirably, a front fork assembly is configured to be supported by a bicycle frame and includes a pair of fork legs, which extend in a downward direction along opposing sides of a front wheel of the bicycle. Preferably, the fork legs are configured to support the front wheel at their lower ends. Each of the fork legs can define a cavity and a damping member is positioned within the cavity. The damping member can be forced into contact with a surface of the fork leg. Seat stays, chain stays, the seat post and other components of the bicycle can also include a damping system.

Abstract: A bicycle headstock assembly may include a lower member adapted to be attached to a steering rod of the bicycle, and an upper member adjustably connected to the lower member. A pivot joint may be formed at a connection of the lower and upper members respectively. A handle bar clamp may be connected to the upper member and extending away therefrom. A primary fastener may pass through a first location of the pivot joint while an auxiliary fastener may pass through a second location of the pivot joint respectively. In this way, the primary and auxiliary fasteners may cooperate to permit the upper member to selectively pivot and lock at alternate positions relative to the lower member.

Abstract: A damping force generator for a hydraulic shock absorber featuring an increased deflection (bending) characteristic of a damping valve to widen the adjustable range of a damping force. In a damping force generator (70) for a hydraulic shock absorber, the damping valve (80) undergoes deflections with boundaries (71C) between secured portions (71A) and recessed portions (71B) of the valve seat (71) as supporting points K, and inner and outer peripheries of the damping valve (80) are disposed on an outside of line segments L each connecting two circumferentially adjacent supporting points K, K of the valve seat (71).

Abstract: In a two-wheeled motor vehicle having a pair of right and left front forks for supporting a front wheel so that the front wheel is rotatable, a top bridge for supporting upper ends of the pair of right and left front forks, a handle post provided to the top bridge, and a bar-shaped handle secured to the hand post, the handle is provided above the front forks with respect to an axial line direction of the front forks, each front fork is provided with an air valve for sealingly filling air in the front fork and a projection on the upper surface thereof, and the projection is formed to be higher than the air valve.

Abstract: A bicycle damping system is arranged to reduce vibrations that originate at the bicycle wheel and are transmitted to the rider of the bicycle. A portion of a bicycle frame and/or bicycle fork can include define a cavity and a damping member is positioned within the cavity. The damping member can be forced into contact with a surface of the cavity. Fork legs, seat stays, chain stays, the seat post are all examples portions of the bicycle frame that may include a damping system.

Abstract: A bicycle damping system is arranged to reduce vibrations that originate at the bicycle wheel and are transmitted to the rider of the bicycle. A portion of a bicycle frame and/or bicycle fork can define a cavity and a damping member is positioned within the cavity. The damping member can be forced into contact with a surface of the cavity. Fork legs, seat stays, chain stays, the seat post are all examples portions of the bicycle frame that may include a damping system.

Abstract: A wheel suspension system for a three-wheeled motorcycle or “trike” includes parallel wheels mounted on vertically pivoting suspension arms governed by hydraulic pistons. The pistons have upper liquid reservoirs that are interconnected through a valve system, which interconnects the upper reservoirs when the trike is in motion, allowing opposing vertical wheel movements when banking through turns, and prevents liquid exchange when the trike is stopped, thereby holding the motorcycle upright, Embodiments include a manual and/or automatic valve control. A threshold switching speed for an automatic controller can be factory set and/or user adjustable. The pistons can include directly interconnected lower fluid reservoirs. A shock-absorbing reservoir can allow transient vertical movement of both wheels to absorb shocks. A cover system can emulate the appearance of saddle bags and can appear to be covering only a single wheel.

Abstract: A remote control for a shock absorber has a gripping body with a first positioning element, a pivoting handle and a positioning assembly. The pivoting handle pivotally connects with the gripping body and has a proximal part and a distal part. The proximal part has an abutting surface facing and selectively abutting the gripping body and a core-fastening hole corresponding to the passing hole of the gripping body. The distal part has a communicating recess formed longitudinally through the distal part and also formed in a bottom of the distal part. The positioning assembly is movably mounted in the communicating recess and has a second positioning element exposed from the bottom of the distal part and corresponding to and detachably engaged with the positioning assembly. A rider is able to conveniently control a shock absorber during riding by using the remote control so that facilitates riding.

Abstract: A steering apparatus for a vehicle includes a stem pipe disposed in a head pipe by upper and lower bearings interposed therebetween, a seal member for covering the upper bearing, and bottom and top bridges mounted on lower and upper ends of the stem pipe, respectively. A single fastening bolt, having a step formed between a head and a threaded surface thereof, is fitted in a pipe insertion hole of the top bridge and the upper threaded portion of the stem pipe. The stem pipe is firmly tightened and supported by a stem pipe slot-tightening mechanism of the top bridge. The fastening bolt is tightened by only a tightening force required to keep the fastening bolt from loosening. Also, a number of components required for the inventive steering apparatus is reduced, since an additional component, previously used for preventing loosening of a fastening bolt, is made unnecessary.

Abstract: A bicycle is provided having a unitary steering tube-crown member and a unitary crank arm-spindle member. A multistage aluminum 3D forging process is used to form the unitary members. This may allow the fabrication of components with substantially hollow interior areas to reduce weight, reduce part count while maintaining high strength and ductility. The multistage 3D forging process provided also allows the combination of multiple components into a single unitary part.

Abstract: Provided is a front fork spring leg capable of stably maintaining air spring characteristics. The front fork spring leg has an inward-facing seal member, an outward-facing seal member, and a piston ring arranged on an outer periphery of a guide of a guide rod sequentially in this order along an axial direction of the guide from the side close to an inner air spring chamber toward the side far from the same. The inward-facing seal member has a lip which is slidably in contact with the inner periphery of the guide cylinder, with this lip being oriented toward the inner air spring chamber while the outward-facing seal member has a lip which is slidably in contact with the inner periphery of the guide cylinder, with this lip being oriented in the opposite direction to the inner air spring chamber.

Abstract: A master device for a closed hydraulic system of handlebar-steered vehicles includes a basic body and a pressure chamber in which, in the event of actuation of the master device in order to actuate a slave device, hydraulic fluid is placed under pressure. The master device includes a hydraulic line connecting element having a connecting piece for connecting a hydraulic line and a thread section for screwing into the basic body. An air bleed opening bleeds the hydraulic system. The hydraulic line connecting element and the basic body form a valve that closes the connection between the pressure chamber and the air bleed opening when the hydraulic line connecting element is fully screwed in to the basic body.

Abstract: A bicycle air shock absorber assembly that includes a hollow piston rod that is telescopically associated with a hollow compression rod. The piston rod and compression rod are positioned within the casing of the shock assembly. A piston is supported by the piston rod and divides the volume of the compression rod to form a negative air spring chamber and a positive air spring chamber that includes the volume of the piston rod. An optional coil spring is positioned within the casing and contributes in parallel with the positive air spring chamber to resist compression of the shock assembly.

Abstract: A front fork for easily optimizing an oil quantity in a damper cylinder with a relatively simple structure without affecting operability of a free piston even in an assembled state. An escape portion is formed on an outer periphery of a piston rod at a position where a seal member mounted on a sealing cap faces in an opposed manner when a front fork extends to the maximum.