Front wheel suspension and steering system for motorcycles and other vehicles

• Main Author: ROBIN EDWARD SMART
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 09.03.2005
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; CYCLES; LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FORCYCLES; TRANSPORTING

The system comprises a sub-frame (3) for carrying the front wheel (5) and moveably attached to the motorcycle and c main frame (13) by two connections (7,9). The first connection (7) is a pivotal connection with an upper part of the frame (13) and is arranged to provide the pivot axis (15) for pivoting of the front wheel (5). The second connection (9) is an arcuate sliding connection with a lower part of the frame (13) with the arc of the connection being aligned on a circle whose centre lies on the pivot axis (15) of the front wheel (5). A swing arm (19) is pivoted at one end (21) to a lower pad of the sub-frame (3) and carries at the other end the axle (23) of the front wheel (5) and spring means (25) acts between the swing arm (19) and the sub-frame (3) for providing a spring action of the front wheel (5). Shock absorbers can be provided to act along the pivot axis. The arcuate sliding connection is a T-profile rail (27) sliding in or engaging with wheels, balls or rollers of a channel-section carrier (29).