Importance

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Abstract

A suspension system for motorcycles having a frame and a motor and a swing arm pivotally mounted or attached to one of the motor and the frame. The swing arm supports a wheel in a rotatable position and permits the wheel to be displaced in a generally vertical direction in response to ruts and bumps on the ground or terrain. A torsion bar suspension member having a first end portion and a second end portion has the first end portion connected or secured to the frame or the motor and is carried in a bearing member adjacent the second end thereof. A lever arm is provided having a first end and a second end, the first end being rigidly fixed or connected to the second portion of the torsion bar. A linkage means is provided and includes a member pivotally fastened to both the swing arm and to the second end of the lever arm. The swing arm, linkage means, lever arm and torsion bar are connected such that movement of the swing arm displaces the linkage means thereby forcing the arm member to twist the torsion bar. In addition, the linkage means and arm member are connected in a configuration which produces decreasing leverage as the swing arm is displaced upwardly thereby providing a rising rate, i.e. an apparent increase in spring rate of the torsion bar.

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First Claim