Front suspension and steering system for a motorcycle

Abstract

A suspension and steering system for the front wheel of a motorcycle. The system includes an upright extending along one side of the front wheel at a rake angle, to which the wheel is journalled by means of a cantilevered axle extending from one side of the lower end of the upright. The upright includes a lower section that resides within the inner diameter of the wheel rim and an arcuate upper section that extends upwardly and rearwardly around the wheel rim and tire. The upper end of the upright is connected to a telescoping, splined steering shaft that is journalled to an upper subframe and which transmits steering torque from a handlebar assembly through the upright to the front wheel. The upright is pivotably attached to upper and lower swing arms that extend forwardly from the body of the motorcycle. The lower swing arm extends around the side of the front wheel and functions to locate the lower section of the upright. The upper swing arm is connected to the upper end of the upright and is sprung and damped with a shock absorber assembly connected to the upper subframe. The upright bears and transmits substantially all weight and shock loads between the front wheel and the upper swing arm and body of the motorcycle, allowing the steering shaft to function exclusively to transmit steering torque to the front wheel.