A method of modifying the rake angle on a motorcycle having a double wishbone front suspension. The motorcycle has a tubular steering housing connected to a non-telescoping fork assembly by a straight body steering stem. The method includes the step of replacing the straight body steering stem with a canted body steering stem. The canted body steering stem includes (i) a primary section having a steering axis corresponding to a steering axis of the motorcycle; and (ii) a secondary section having a cant axis which varies from the steering axis by between 1° and 16°.

A method of modifying the rake angle on a motorcycle having a double wishbone front suspension. The motorcycle has a tubular steering housing connected to a non-telescoping fork assembly by a straight body steering stem. The method includes the step of replacing the straight body steering stem with a canted body steering stem. The canted body steering stem includes (i) a primary section having a steering axis corresponding to a steering axis of the motorcycle; and (ii) a secondary section having a cant axis which varies from the steering axis by between 1° and 16°.

An angle adaptor for an integrated system (IS) bicycle frame head tube allows a user to change the effective head tube angle, and thus the fork trail, for a bicycle.

An angle adaptor for an integrated system (IS) bicycle frame head tube allows a user to change the effective head tube angle, and thus the fork trail, for a bicycle.

Headsets and head tube assemblies for vehicles are provided. The vehicle includes a steerer tube and a head tube. The headset is rotatably connected to the steerer tube and the head tube. The headset includes a coupling ring that has a body and a central bore defined in and extending through the body. The coupling ring is connectable to and rotatable with the steerer tube. A cup that has a body and a central bore defined in and extending through the body. The cup is connectable to and rotatable with the head tube. A bearing assembly disposed between the cup and the coupling ring. The bearing assembly has an inner race, an outer race, and a bearing member disposed between the inner race and the outer race. A damping fluid surrounds the bearing member to dampen vibrations between the steerer tube and the head tube.

Headsets and head tube assemblies for vehicles are provided. The vehicle includes a steerer tube and a head tube. The headset is rotatably connected to the steerer tube and the head tube. The headset includes a coupling ring that has a body and a central bore defined in and extending through the body. The coupling ring is connectable to and rotatable with the steerer tube. A cup that has a body and a central bore defined in and extending through the body. The cup is connectable to and rotatable with the head tube. A bearing assembly disposed between the cup and the coupling ring. The bearing assembly has an inner race, an outer race, and a bearing member disposed between the inner race and the outer race. A damping fluid surrounds the bearing member to dampen vibrations between the steerer tube and the head tube.

A bicycle headset includes a fixed member, wherein the headset is fixed onto a headtube of a bicycle via the fixed member. A steerer tube of a fork passes through the headtube and is connected to a fork portion. The fixed member has a first contour including a first guiding section, a second section, and a joint section that connects the first section and the second section and is located at the highest site among the first contour. A rotating member is fixed onto the steerer tube. A movable member is disposed onto the rotating member and is movable along an axial direction of the steerer tube. An elastic member urges the movable member to allow a second contour of the movable member to constantly touch the first contour of the fixed member, thereby preventing a stem connected to the steerer tube from overly turned and assisting to steer back.

A bicycle bearing system comprising: an integrated cup, the integrated cup having a non-flanged outer diameter; a plurality of rolling elements configured to abut and rotate against an inner surface of the cup race; an inner race configured to abut and rotate about the plurality of rolling elements, the inner race having an inner diameter; wherein the rolling elements do not have a separate outer race, but rather the inner surface of the integrated cup acts as the outer race to the rolling elements; wherein the rolling elements' sizes are maximized to the limitation that the non-flanged outer diameter is smaller or equal to a first maximum diameter, and wherein the rolling elements sizes are maximized to the limitation that the inner diameter is greater or equal to a first minimum diameter.

A bicycle bearing system comprising: an integrated cup, the integrated cup having a non-flanged outer diameter; a plurality of rolling elements configured to abut and rotate against an inner surface of the cup race; an inner race configured to abut and rotate about the plurality of rolling elements, the inner race having an inner diameter; wherein the rolling elements do not have a separate outer race, but rather the inner surface of the integrated cup acts as the outer race to the rolling elements; wherein the rolling elements' sizes are maximized to the limitation that the non-flanged outer diameter is smaller or equal to a first maximum diameter, and wherein the rolling elements sizes are maximized to the limitation that the inner diameter is greater or equal to a first minimum diameter.

A system for manipulating the steering axis angle of an object is provided. The system is beneficial for improving performance and enjoyability of use for objects employing a steering axis, including bicycles, toys, tools, sporting goods, and other modes of transportation. The system includes a reversible bearing plate with a bearing plate bore that permits passage of a steerer tube through a head tube when reversible bearing plates are installed at the head tube ends. The bearing plate bore may be at the center of the reversible bearing plate to maintain a steering axis coaxial with the head tube central axis. The bearing plate bore may be offset from the center of the reversible bearing plate and may employ an angled annular space such that when reversible bearing plates are installed oppositely at the head tube ends, the steering axis is offset from the center of each reversible bearing plate generating an angle between the steerer tube central axis and the head tube central axis, resulting in a correspondingly steeper or slacker head angle. Methods of employing reversible bearing plates for maintaining, steepening, or slackening the head angle of a bicycle are provided.