A method for thermoforming a bicycle frame component includes the steps of: (A) preparing first and second casings both made of a thermoplastic material, the first casing having a first abutment surface, the second casing having a second abutment surface; (B) preparing a reinforcing unit; (C) abutting the first and second abutment surfaces against each other, and then placing the reinforcing unit at a junction of the first and second casings; and (D) thermally bonding the reinforcing unit to the first and second casings such that the first and second casings are joined to form the bicycle frame component. A bicycle frame component is also disclosed.

A bicycle can include a forward frame triangle that can include a top tube, a bottom tube, a bottom bracket, a structural seat tube, a compliant seat tube, and a pair of seat stays. The top tube can have a first end connected to a head tube and a second end. The bottom tube can have a first end connected to the head tube. The bottom bracket can be connected to the bottom tube. The structural seat tube can be connected to the bottom bracket and the top tube. The compliant seat tube can extend in an upward direction from the bottom bracket to the top tube and within the structural seat tube. The compliant seat tube can be coupled to the forward frame triangle such that the compliant seat post can bend within the structural seat tube.

The present invention relates to a seat rail structure for a motorcycle having a seat rail on a vehicle body. In this structure, the seat rail has a side member being a bent product of continuous fiber reinforced resin, the side member has: a side wall at an outer end in a width direction of a vehicle body; and an upper flange at an upper end of the side wall to protrude from the side wall inward in the width direction, the side wall has an upper fastening portion at an upper end section of a front end region, fastened to a main frame, the upper fastening portion has an upper corner edge portion straddling front edge and upper edge portions, the upper corner edge portion is arcuate, and a rear end of the upper corner edge portion is frontward relative to a front edge portion of the upper flange.

A method for forming a bicycle frame assembly having a number of elongate tubes is disclosed. A two part mold can be used to form a hollow finish part as part of the assembly. The assembly includes a passage that is defined by the elongate member, a partition, and a bridge. The partition isolates the passage from an interior volume of the elongate tube. The bridge extends in a direction normal to an elongate direction of the passage and defines an inlet and an outlet of the passage. The inlet, outlet, and bridge are generally flush with an exterior surface of the elongate tube and provide a passage that cooperates with a flexible connector, such as a cable tie, for securing supplemental structures, such as brake and shift control cables, to the elongate tube of the bicycle frame assembly.

A method for forming a bicycle frame assembly having a number of elongate tubes is disclosed. A two part mold can be used to form a hollow finish part as part of the assembly. The assembly includes a passage that is defined by the elongate member, a partition, and a bridge. The partition isolates the passage from an interior volume of the elongate tube. The bridge extends in a direction normal to an elongate direction of the passage and defines an inlet and an outlet of the passage. The inlet, outlet, and bridge are generally flush with an exterior surface of the elongate tube and provide a passage that cooperates with a flexible connector, such as a cable tie, for securing supplemental structures, such as brake and shift control cables, to the elongate tube of the bicycle frame assembly.

A straddle-type vehicle comprises an external member having an outer surface exposed to an outside of the straddle-type vehicle, the external member includes a base section and a coating section coated on the base section, the coating section includes a color layer, a metal coating layer stacked on the color layer, and a light transmission layer stacked on the metal coating layer and having the outer surface exposed to the outside of the straddle-type vehicle, and the outer surface of the light transmission layer comprises a self-restoring resin.

A superefficient box beam bicycle structure (SBBBS) having a box section, a right triangular section and a left triangular section. The right and left triangular sections are either integral with the box structure, or the triangular sections are attached to the box structure by riveting, bonding or welding. The box structure is preferably made of a sheet material and the parts that comprise the box structure are attached together by riveting, bonding or welding. The SBBBS interfaces with conventional bicycle components to function as a lightweight, strong bicycle frame. Additionally, the SBBBS can be manufactured as a one-piece design, or can utilize a hybrid construction design with an internal structure and reinforcing members at areas of high stress.

A superefficient box beam bicycle structure (SBBBS) having a box section, a right triangular section and a left triangular section. The right and left triangular sections are either integral with the box structure, or the triangular sections are attached to the box structure by riveting, bonding or welding. The box structure is preferably made of a sheet material and the parts that comprise the box structure are attached together by riveting, bonding or welding. The SBBBS interfaces with conventional bicycle components to function as a lightweight, strong bicycle frame. Additionally, the SBBBS can be manufactured as a one-piece design, or can utilize a hybrid construction design with an internal structure and reinforcing members at areas of high stress.

A bicycle frame assembly that includes an upper frame member and a lower frame member that each extend between a head tube and a dropout. A seat tube extends between the upper frame member and the lower frame member. The seat tube is preferably connected to a bottom bracket of the lower frame member and is connected by a pivot to the upper frame member so that the seat tube can deflect from a rest position without altering an orientation of a top tube to a bottom tube of the upper and lower frame members, respectively.

A bicycle frame assembly that includes an upper frame member and a lower frame member that each extend between a head tube and a dropout. A seat tube extends between the upper frame member and the lower frame member. The seat tube is preferably connected to a bottom bracket of the lower frame member and is connected by a pivot to the upper frame member so that the seat tube can deflect from a rest position without altering an orientation of a top tube to a bottom tube of the upper and lower frame members, respectively.