For all 205 of you... US Patent Office Filing by HD Here’s something a bit different from the Motor Company, it’s a patent application from Harley Davidson for a leaning trike. It’s looks like a cross between the Can-Am Spyder and the Brudeli 625 but it is distinctively Harley with the big twin power plant in there. Whether they are thinking of producing this or something similar, they probably wanted to get the paperwork in to make sure they were covered. Filed on either September 27, 2006 or April 5, 2007, I can’t figure out which dates apply, reading patent paperwork can be a bit confusing. From the application: The present invention relates to a suspension system for a three-wheeled vehicle. The suspension system permits the vehicle to lean while cornering, much like a motorcycle. This is accomplished via hydraulic actuators that force the bike into a leaning position while turning, and back to an upright position while tracking a straight line. A transverse beam is coupled to the hydraulic actuators and to spring dampers to allow the suspension to operate independently, even while the vehicle is cornering. More drawings and links below: Link: US Patent Application <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->__________________
I hope they're going to pay Leonardo da Vinci's decendants a royalty for stealing one of his designs. :ddog
So after that shitlump of a motor runs a hydraulic pump, what's it got left over to drive the rear wheel, 3 horsepower?
Hmm - Piaggio mp3 anyone? Just got back from Paris and these things are buzzing around all over the place.
With their aging demographics, I suppose HD wants to keep their older riders on their wheels. The Piaggio is perfect for European cities and the short distances found there. Over here, a 3 wheeler needs to be a mile muncher too.. I like the leaning concept way better than the Can-Am rigid concept and execution.
The beauty is in the way they did it. If you look at the drawing of the trike leaned over it still has full suspension available to it. The Piaggo, to my understanding, does not (inside wheel is nearly bottomed).
There was a write up in MCN (that's motorcycle news for all you red neck motherfuckers ) They also featured the "other" options out there - pretty good write up. Wouldn't go near one with a ten foot barge pole - HD need to re-learn building a bike with two wheels before they branch out to 3 wheels
I can't remember the name of the company - but Harley bought some company several years ago that made Subaru powered trikes. They were doing testing and R&D at Talladega and all was well until one of the test riders/drivers actually managed to flip one of the damn things on the back straight and nearly kill himself. They kinda canned that project after that. Really what is happening is that they are running out of T shirt and trinket ides for all the bikes they currently make so they got to come up with sumpin NEW to put on T shirts!
Check the fourth sketch. More specifically check the left-hand side shock absorber. Looks pretty bottomed-out to me.
In the sketch yes, you are correct. Last part of the app sates: So if the hydraulic actuators were calibrated right then it could bring both shocks mid-stroke. That was my understanding from reading the app.
