An electric motorcycle includes a battery pack, a controller and a charging device arranged in sequence along the height direction of the frame. The battery pack and the charging device are positioned on the frame adjacent to the front wheel. The rear suspension comprises a rear fork and a shock absorber connected to the frame by a shaft, the rear fork is connected to the rear wheel, and the electric motor is arranged on the rear fork. The center of gravity of the electric motorcycle is lower. The electric motorcycle can run stably even at a speed of 120 km/h.

An electric vehicle includes front and rear wheels, a battery, an electric motor that drives at least one of the front and rear wheels, an accelerator, and a mode shift operator that is operated by a user in order to switch drive modes. The electric vehicle includes a driving force characteristics setter that sets, for each of the plurality of drive modes, driving force characteristics which are characteristics of an accelerator opening degree and a target motor driving force for the rotational speed of the electric motor. The electric vehicle further includes a controller which shifts up, according to an operation of the mode shift operator, the drive mode from a first drive mode to a second drive mode and which controls the target motor driving force according to the driving force characteristics. When a shift-down prohibition condition is met, the controller prohibits a shift down from the second drive mode to the first drive mode.

A motorcycle includes an electric motor having an output shaft defining a motor axis, a rear wheel drivably coupled to the electric motor to propel the motorcycle, a swingarm rotatably supporting the rear wheel, and a frame. The frame includes a main frame member supporting the electric motor and the swingarm. A case of the electric motor is a stressed member of the frame between the main frame member and the swingarm. The swingarm is coupled to the case of the electric motor to define a swingarm pivot axis that is co-axial with the motor axis.

The drive assembly according to the invention for vehicles comprises a motor support which is mounted movably on the vehicle and which has an electric motor which is connected drivingly to a driving gear. A drive wheel is assigned to the wheel of the vehicle and, for example, is designed as a ring arranged concentrically to the rotation axis of the wheel. The driving gear and the drive wheel are connected to one another drivingly via a traction means, for example a closed toothed belt, a closed chain, a closed band, or the like. The motor support has at least one support wheel, preferably a plurality of support wheels, and optionally a support roller, via which the motor support runs similarly to a rail vehicle on the annular drive wheel. The radial position of the motor support in relation to the rotation axis of the wheel and also the axial position (towards and away from the wheel) are determined by the cooperation of the support wheels and corresponding tracks and optionally a running surface of the drive wheel. The drive assembly described in this regard is particularly smooth-running in this regard, easily accessible, and insensitive to fouling.

Vehicle including a frame, a seat mounted to the frame, wheels rotatably mounted on the frame, and drive mechanisms for causing rotation of one wheel. Each drive mechanism includes an arm pivotally attached to the frame at one end, a weight and attached pedal at an opposite end of the arm, and a guide member including a bump and that moves in conjunction with movement of the weight. The guide member has a first end region at which the guide member is pivotally attached to the frame and a second, opposite end region which is free. A roller attached to the arm moves along the guide member during pivotal movement of the arm to cause pivoting of the guide member as the roller engages with the bump. An energy transfer system converts pivotal movement of the guide member into motive power to rotate the wheel.

Vehicle including a frame, a seat mounted to the frame, wheels rotatably mounted on the frame, and drive mechanisms for causing rotation of one wheel. Each drive mechanism includes an arm pivotally attached to the frame at one end, a weight and attached pedal at an opposite end of the arm, and a guide member including a bump and that moves in conjunction with movement of the weight. The guide member has a first end region at which the guide member is pivotally attached to the frame and a second, opposite end region which is free. A roller attached to the arm moves along the guide member during pivotal movement of the arm to cause pivoting of the guide member as the roller engages with the bump. An energy transfer system converts pivotal movement of the guide member into motive power to rotate the wheel.

A crankset for a bicycle comprising a shaft rotationally engaged with a bicycle frame, the shaft having a radially extending flange disposed toward one end, a first crank arm and a second crank arm, and each connected to an opposing end of the shaft and being approximately 180 degrees out of phase with each other, a first sprocket keyed to the shaft, the first sprocket having a toothed belt engaging surface, and a spacer member disposed between the first sprocket and the flange for adjusting a first sprocket position.

A crankset for a bicycle comprising a shaft rotationally engaged with a bicycle frame, the shaft having a radially extending flange disposed toward one end, a first crank arm and a second crank arm, and each connected to an opposing end of the shaft and being approximately 180 degrees out of phase with each other, a first sprocket keyed to the shaft, the first sprocket having a toothed belt engaging surface, and a spacer member disposed between the first sprocket and the flange for adjusting a first sprocket position.

A method of making a bicycle sprocket having a rotational center axis basically includes providing an annular portion and forming a first tooth and a second tooth. The annular portion is made of a base material and has a plurality of teeth. At least one of the teeth is processed to form a first tooth, and at least one other of the teeth is processed to form a second tooth. The first tooth has a first axial chain engaging width that is smaller than a first axial spacing of an outer link of a bicycle chain and larger than a second axial spacing of an inner link that is coupled to an outer link. The second tooth is formed to have a second axial chain engaging width that is smaller than the second axial spacing. The second tooth is formed by deforming the base material.

A method of making a bicycle sprocket having a rotational center axis basically includes providing an annular portion and forming a first tooth and a second tooth. The annular portion is made of a base material and has a plurality of teeth. At least one of the teeth is processed to form a first tooth, and at least one other of the teeth is processed to form a second tooth. The first tooth has a first axial chain engaging width that is smaller than a first axial spacing of an outer link of a bicycle chain and larger than a second axial spacing of an inner link that is coupled to an outer link. The second tooth is formed to have a second axial chain engaging width that is smaller than the second axial spacing. The second tooth is formed by deforming the base material.