Progressive suspension device for the rear wheel of a motorcycle

Abstract

A progressive suspension device ( ) for the rear wheel of a motorcycle, includes a swinging fork ( ) that has a central section ( ) to which one or two arms ( ) carrying a wheel ( ) are connected. The suspension device further comprises a spring-damper assembly ( ) connected at one end to a support ( ) for the central section ( ) of the fork ( ), a rocker or lever ( ) having a first end ( ), with axis ( ), pivoted in seats ( ) made in the engine crankcase ( ) or in the motorcycle frame, the lever ( ) also having a second end ( ), with axis ( ), connected to the spring-damper assembly ( ), A connecting rod ( ) of adjustable length (C) joins the fork ( ) to the lever ( ). The connecting rod ( ) comprises a first end ( ) pivoted at an intermediate mounting point ( ) between the first end ( ) and the second ( ) of the lever ( ), and a second end ( ) pivoted in a seat ( ) made in the central section ( ) of the fork ( ). At the lever ( ), between the mounting point ( ) where the connecting rod ( ) is pivoted and the axis ( ) of the second end ( ), there is an angle (&agr;) that may be varied to adapt the suspension device ( ) to different progressive suspension needs.