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.

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 bike (10) comprises a frame provided with a front wheel (12) oriented by a handlebar, a saddle (39) and a crankset. The bike (10) further comprises two pivoting rear uprights (18, 19) each carrying a rear wheel (22, 23), the pivoting rear uprights being mounted by independent pivot links on the frame.

The crankset actuates two drive means (26, 27, 59, 60) independent of the rear wheels. The drive means of each rear wheel comprises a free wheel (59, 60). The drive means are configured such that, in a bend, only the rear wheel located on the inside of the bend is driven by the crankset, the rear wheel located on the outside of the bend freewheeling and not being driven by the crankset.

The present invention is a swingarm suspension bicycle frame that is designed to allow nesting of the swingarm within the main frame of the bicycle frame, thereby allowing the bicycle frame to be packed and shipped in a smaller package than prior art bicycles of similar frame and wheel size, and a method for nesting such a suspension bicycle frame. In one or more embodiments, the pivot bearing to which the pivot point of the swingarm is attached is positioned along the seat support member of the main frame at a distance from the bottom of the bracket mount of the seat support member that is at least as great as the distance from the pivot point of the swingarm to the shock absorber mounting point of the swingarm. Such a location allows the swingarm to be nested within the main frame of the bicycle frame.

The present invention is a swingarm suspension bicycle frame that is designed to allow nesting of the swingarm within the main frame of the bicycle frame, thereby allowing the bicycle frame to be packed and shipped in a smaller package than prior art bicycles of similar frame and wheel size, and a method for nesting such a suspension bicycle frame. In one or more embodiments, the pivot bearing to which the pivot point of the swingarm is attached is positioned along the seat support member of the main frame at a distance from the bottom of the bracket mount of the seat support member that is at least as great as the distance from the pivot point of the swingarm to the shock absorber mounting point of the swingarm. Such a location allows the swingarm to be nested within the main frame of the bicycle frame.

A single-sided swing arm for a motorcycle having a traction means for driving a rear wheel of the motorcycle, the swing arm having a first section for rotatably supporting the rear wheel and second sections for pivotally attaching the swing arm to a structural member of the motorcycle. Geometrical centers of the first section and of the second sections define a virtual swing arm center plane, and a rocker arm with an upper side is between the first and the second sections. The rocker arm has a first side wall region and a second side wall region substantially opposite thereto, and the second side wall region extends into the region of a second section; the two side wall regions are connected to one another by a stiffening girder designed for the passage of the traction means. The stiffening girder extends into a region below the swing arm center plane.

A single-sided swing arm for a motorcycle having a traction means for driving a rear wheel of the motorcycle, the swing arm having a first section for rotatably supporting the rear wheel and second sections for pivotally attaching the swing arm to a structural member of the motorcycle. Geometrical centers of the first section and of the second sections define a virtual swing arm center plane, and a rocker arm with an upper side is between the first and the second sections. The rocker arm has a first side wall region and a second side wall region substantially opposite thereto, and the second side wall region extends into the region of a second section; the two side wall regions are connected to one another by a stiffening girder designed for the passage of the traction means. The stiffening girder extends into a region below the swing arm center plane.

The present invention is generally directed to a swing arm configuration and, more specifically, a swing arm that is supported by a shaft of a motor, such as an electric motor of a motorcycle. The configuration includes a swing arm assembly that is supported by a shaft of a motor at one end and a rear axle at the other end. Advantageously, the shaft of the motor may be a structural component of an electric motorcycle and serve as the swing arm pivot as well as the drive shaft.

The present invention is generally directed to a swing arm configuration and, more specifically, a swing arm that is supported by a shaft of a motor, such as an electric motor of a motorcycle. The configuration includes a swing arm assembly that is supported by a shaft of a motor at one end and a rear axle at the other end. Advantageously, the shaft of the motor may be a structural component of an electric motorcycle and serve as the swing arm pivot as well as the drive shaft.

A three wheeled vehicle is provided that can include a frame, a steerable front wheel secured to a front end of the frame, a first trailing wheel arm having a first rear wheel secured thereto and a second trailing wheel arm having a second rear wheel secured thereto, and a central suspension joint secured to the frame on which the first and second trailing wheel arm is rotatably secured on either side of the frame. Further, the vehicle can include a horizontal linkage pivotably connected on the frame at the midsection beneath the first and second trailing wheel arms and linked to an underside of the first and second trailing wheel arm between the first wheel and the central suspension joint proximal to a first end of the horizontal linkage and between the second wheel and the central suspension joint proximal to a second end of the horizontal linkage, respectively.