Harley-davidson Motor Company

Harley-davidson, Inc.

David A Safarik

Louis N Netz

Paul J Troxler

R Bruce Dennert

Jeffrey P Coughlin

Bernardus G H Vandenhoeven

Bernard F Enright

Marc D McAllister

A motorcycle engine includes a crankshaft rotating in response to the reciprocation of pistons in cylinder bores. The inertial effects of the reciprocating pistons cause vibrations in the engine. A pair of balancer shafts are provided on opposite sides of the crankshaft, and are driven by the crankshaft through a drive member, such as a chain or belt. The balancer shafts are supported for rotation by bearings in the left side of the engine's crankcase, and by bearings in bearing housings that are mounted to the left side of the engine's crankcase. Thus, the balancer shafts are substantially only supported for rotation by the left side of the crankcase.

Motorcycle balancer system

A motorcycle engine comprising an engine housing, a crankshaft mounted for rotation within the housing, a camshaft mounted for rotation within the housing, a flexible element (e.g., a chain) coupling the camshaft to the crankshaft, and a tensioner mounted adjacent the flexible element. The tensioner includes a support member, a shoe made of a polyimide polymer (e.g., Vespel), and a biasing member biasing the support member so that the shoe is in contact with the flexible element. The biasing member is made from a wire having a quadrangular (e.g., square) cross section. Preferably, the camshaft is supported by a cam support plate, and the support member is pivotally mounted to the cam support plate.

Motorcycle cam drive tensioner

Motorcycle voltage regulator

Growing community of inventors

Muskego, WI, United States of America

David A Safarik