Abstract:
The present document describes a lever guard and handlebar extender kit for a motorcycle having a handlebar and a lever mounted thereon. The handlebar comprises a hollow portion having an open end, a handlebar grip and a handlebar end cap mounted within the hollow portion and covering the open end. The kit comprises: a handlebar extender for replacing the handlebar end cap, the handlebar extender capable of adopting a plurality of positions between a retracted position and an extended position, any one of the plurality of positions providing an extension to the handlebar allowing displacement of the handlebar grip on the handlebar over the extension thereby providing additional space on the handlebar; and a lever guard for mounting to the handlebar using the additional space and, once mounted, the lever guard extending in front of the lever thereby providing substantial protection from objects coming toward the lever from the front.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/791,271, filed on Mar. 15, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    (a) Field 
         [0003]    The subject matter disclosed generally relates to accessories for motorcycles. More particularly, the subject matter relates to lever guards and handlebar extenders for motorcycle handlebars. 
         [0004]    (b) Related Prior Art 
         [0005]    In circumstances such as in motorcycle track racing, proximity between racers may be such that inadvertent physical contacts may occur. In some cases, contacts between a racer, or a part of a competing motorcycle, and a control lever mounted on the handlebar, such as a brake lever or a clutch lever, of another motorcycle may occur. 
         [0006]    For instance, tragic accidents sometimes result from a brake lever being triggered which suddenly applies a braking effect to the front wheel and projects the rider or racer forwardly on the racing track with very high velocity. 
         [0007]    Furthermore, the outward extremity of the brake lever may be hit in the forward direction. This may transfer a torque force to the handlebar, leading to a sudden deviation from the current direction and potentially creating an accident. 
         [0008]    Additionally, recreational motorcyclists are often challenged by obstacles near the roads where they are motorcycling. For example, in some states in the United States, motorcyclists may be allowed to drive between cars at red lights. Thus, many accidents may occur annually while brake levers or clutch levers of motorcycles are triggered by external elements near the roads (i.e., rear view mirrors of cars parked on the sideways, tree branches, and the like, for instance). 
         [0009]    It is known in the art to provide hand guards or shields to prevent discomfort or injuries to hands or wrists of motorcyclist caused by projected matters, cold winds or squeezing between the handlebar and the control lever. However, these devices generally present one or more of the following limitations and drawbacks. 
         [0010]    They do not implement sufficient rigidity and strength to prevent severe impacts to the control lever. They do not prevent an external force from being transferred in the forward direction from a lever extremity or from the protecting device itself to the handlebar. They are designed for use on motocross cycles so that they present a shape and size that would cause interference with the careening of a street racing motorcycle when the handlebar is brought near to its maximal turning angle, which therefore prevents use for such an application. 
         [0011]    Moreover, devices of the prior art are not intended to prevent a driver&#39;s wrist from being retained in a space usually extending between the brake lever, the master cylinder and the handlebar should the driver be projected forwardly over the motorcycle. 
         [0012]    Moreover, it is usually a challenge to position a lever guard between the front brake master cylinder/switch and the grip/throttle slider for motorcyclists. 
         [0013]    There is therefore a need for a handlebar extender, a lever guard, a handlebar extender kit to be easily mounted on the handlebar of a motorcycle. There is also a need for a method of installing a handlebar extender and a lever guard on a handlebar. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0014]    According to an embodiment, there is provided a lever guard and handlebar extender kit for a motorcycle having a handlebar and a lever mounted thereon, the handlebar comprising a hollow portion having an open end, a handlebar grip and a handlebar end cap mounted within the hollow portion and covering the open end, the kit comprising: a handlebar extender for replacing the handlebar end cap, the handlebar extender capable of adopting a plurality of positions between a retracted position and an extended position, any one of the plurality of positions providing an extension to the handlebar allowing displacement of the handlebar grip on the handlebar over the extension thereby providing additional space on the handlebar; and a lever guard for mounting to the handlebar using the additional space and, once mounted, the lever guard extending in front of the lever thereby providing substantial protection from objects coming toward the lever from the front. 
         [0015]    According to an aspect, the handlebar further comprises an anchor installed within the hollow portion and wherein the handlebar extender comprises a bar end extension for adjustable attachment to the anchor. 
         [0016]    According to an aspect, the bar end extension comprises: a main portion to be at least partially inserted within the hollow portion of the handlebar; and an lip portion extending from the main portion of the bar end extension and providing an abutment against which the handlebar grip will come into contact when displaced on the handlebar to cover the extension created by the handlebar extender. 
         [0017]    According to an aspect, the handlebar extender further comprises a ring having a given length for installation between the anchor and the bar end extension, the given length corresponding to the extension, the ring thereby ensuring the extension that is required is respected. 
         [0018]    According to an aspect, the main portion of the bar end extension comprise a cylindrical shape which matches a shape of the hollow portion of the handlebar. 
         [0019]    According to an aspect, the handlebar extender further comprises a connector for attachment of the bar end extension to the anchor. 
         [0020]    According to an aspect, at least one of the main portion and the lip portion are made of a rubber material. 
         [0021]    According to an aspect, the extension has a length of about 15 mm. 
         [0022]    According to an aspect, the lever guard comprises: a first arm segment having a first end and a second end, the first arm segment to be mounted on the handlebar at its first end, the first arm segment extending from the handlebar; and a second arm segment extending from the second end of the first arm segment in front of the lever, the second arm segment providing the substantial protection from objects coming toward the lever from the front. 
         [0023]    According to an aspect, at least one of the first arm segment and the second arm segment comprise ribs on a surface thereof providing enhanced rigidity. 
         [0024]    According to an aspect, the kit further comprises a shield member mounted on the second arm segment, thereby allowing adjustment of an effective length of the second arm segment. 
         [0025]    According to an aspect, the second arm segment comprises at least one opening about a distal end thereof, the shield member comprises at least one corresponding opening, the kit further comprising at least one connector for removably attaching the shield member about the distal end of the second arm segment using the at least one opening and the at least one corresponding opening. 
         [0026]    According to an aspect, the shield member defines a surface, the surface defining at least one of: a curved shape and at least one projection, thereby reducing possible deflections of the lever under pressure effects caused by one of: wind and a careening element. 
         [0027]    According to an aspect, at least one of: the first arm segment, the second arm segment and the shield member is made from at least one of: a metallic material, a composite material, aerospace grade aluminum and a carbon fiber reinforced composite material. 
         [0028]    According to an aspect, the lever guard further comprises at least one of: a mirror, a lamp, a camera, and a blinker mounted on at least one of: the first arm segment, the second arm segment and the shield member. 
         [0029]    According to an aspect, the lever guard further comprises an articulated joint for articulably joining the first arm segment and the second arm segment, the articulated joint for at least one of: allowing the second arm segment to abut in a rest position to resist forces applied thereto in a direction facing the handlebar and enabling a displacement of the second arm segment relative to the first arm segment in a direction away from the handlebar. 
         [0030]    According to an aspect, the lever guard further comprises a user adjustable stop member assembly for allowing adjustment of a space between the lever and the second arm segment. 
         [0031]    According to an embodiment, there is provided a method for installing a lever guard on a motorcycle having a handlebar and a lever mounted thereon, the handlebar comprising a hollow portion having an open end and a handlebar grip, the method comprising: installing a handlebar extender within the hollow portion to create an extension to the handlebar; sliding the handlebar grip over the extension to create additional space on the handlebar; and installing the lever guard on the handlebar after the handlebar grip using the additional space. 
         [0032]    According to an aspect, the method further comprises removing a handlebar end cap mounted within the hollow portion prior to installing the handlebar extender. 
         [0033]    According to an aspect, the method further comprises moving other components installed on the handlebar prior to installing the lever guard. 
         [0034]    Features and advantages of the subject matter hereof will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of selected embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying figures. As will be realized, the subject matter disclosed and claimed is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive and the full scope of the subject matter is set forth in the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0035]    Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which: 
           [0036]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a handlebar in accordance with an embodiment, showing an exploded view of a handlebar extender; 
           [0037]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a handlebar in accordance with another embodiment, showing a handlebar extender in an extended position relative to the handlebar and a lever guard adjacent a front brake lever; 
           [0038]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a lever guard mounted on a handlebar in accordance with another embodiment; 
           [0039]      FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of a lever guard mounted on a handlebar which has a front brake lever in accordance with another embodiment; 
           [0040]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a lever guard mounted on a handlebar in accordance with another embodiment; 
           [0041]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a handlebar extender in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0042]      FIG. 6B  illustrates a handlebar extender in accordance with another embodiment; and 
           [0043]      FIG. 6C  illustrates a handlebar extender in accordance with yet another embodiment. 
       
    
    
       [0044]    It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0045]    In embodiments, there are disclosed lever guards, handlebar extenders for handlebars (i.e., such as bike, or motorcycle handlebars), lever guard and handlebar extender kits for handlebars (i.e., such as bike, or motorcycle handlebars) and methods of installing the same on handlebars (i.e., such as bike, or motorcycle handlebars). 
         [0046]    Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIGS. 1 to 5 , there are shown lever guards  10  according to embodiments. 
         [0047]    According to different embodiments,  FIGS. 2-5  show a lever guard  10  adapted to be mounted on a handlebar  12  (i.e., such as bike, or motorcycle handlebars  12 ) of a motorcycle (not shown). As shown, the handlebar  12  has a lever  14  mounted on the handlebar  12  of the motorcycle. The handlebar  12  includes a hollow portion  16  which has an open end  18 , a throttle slider  20 , an anchor  22  which is mounted within the hollow portion  16  and a handlebar grip  24 . 
         [0048]    The lever guard  10  includes a first arm segment  26  which has a first end  28  and a second end  30 . The first arm segment  26  is mounted (i.e., removably mounted) on the handlebar  12  at its first end  28 . The first arm segment  26  extends upwardly and outwardly from the handlebar  12 . The lever guard  10  further includes a second arm segment  32  which extends from the second end  30  of the first arm segment  26 . According to an embodiment, the second arm segment  32  extends substantially perpendicularly from the second end  30  of the first arm segment  26 . The first arm segment  26  and the second arm segment  32  are configured to provide, once installed on the handlebar  12 , a protective space  34  between the second arm segment  32  and the lever  14  mounted on the handlebar  12 . 
         [0049]    According to an embodiment, the first arm segment  26 , at its second end  30 , includes a stop member assembly  72 . The second end  30  of the first arm segment  26  is assembled to a proximal end  38  of the second arm segment  32  through an articulated joint  40 . 
         [0050]    It is to be noted that the first arm segment  26  and the second arm segment  32  may be connected or removably connected together using any suitable connectors (i.e., screws, and the like). 
         [0051]    According to an embodiment, the lever guard  10  may further include a handlebar mounting device  42  at the first end  28  of the first arm segment  26  for providing a removable connection of the lever guard  10  to the handlebar  12 . The handlebar mounting device  42  may include a lower jaw portion  44  which defines a semi-circular cavity for mating with a lower portion  46  of the handlebar  12 . The lower jaw portion  44  is assembled to a top jaw portion  48  defining a complementary second cavity which uses any suitable connectors, such as, without limitation, tightening machine screws  50   a  and  50   b , to provide a stable and rugged mounting of the lever guard  10  on the handlebar  12 . 
         [0052]    According to one embodiment, and as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 , the lever guard  10  may further include a shield member  52  mounted at a distal end  54  of the second arm segment  32 , thereby allowing adjustment of an effective length of the second arm segment  32 . 
         [0053]    According to one embodiment, the longitudinal position of the shield member  52  on the second arm segment  32  may be adjustable by connectors, such as, without limitation, sliding machine screws  56   a  and  56   b , to a desired position into and along the slot  58  and tightening them to lock the shield member  52  in that position. 
         [0054]    According to another embodiment, and still referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 , alternatively, a specific slot may be provided for each screw, which may increase rigidity and mechanical resistance of the shield member  52 . Thus, the effective length of the second arm segment  32  may be adjusted so that the surface of the shield member  52  may be properly aligned with a distal extremity  60  of the lever  14  or control lever  14  (i.e., without limitation, a clutch lever, a brake lever and the like) (see  FIG. 4 ) to prevent external objects or a careening element  62  (i.e., without limitation, another motorbike, a body part of another competitor, a tree branch, a car mirror and the like) from hitting or contacting the lever  14 . 
         [0055]    It is to be noted that a proper adjustment of the positioning of the shield member  52  may also be critical to prevent from exceeding the extremity of the lever  14 , which would undesirably increase risks of interference with the careening element  62  within the external environment. 
         [0056]    The shield member  52  may be configured according to different sizes and configurations for preventing impacts to the lever  14  and protecting the driver&#39;s hand from being impacted by external objects or a careening element  62  or squeezed between the lever  14  and the handlebar  12 . 
         [0057]    According to an embodiment, the surface of the shield member  52  may also be configured to reduce possible deflection of the brake lever  14  under the aerodynamic pressure effects caused by the wind when the motorcycle is being driven at racing speeds that can reach as high as 300 km/h. For example, the surface of the shield member  52  may be curved or may include outward projections such as to reduce air turbulence around the shield member  52  and the lever guard  10  in general. 
         [0058]    It is also to be mentioned that the first arm segment  26  and second arm segment  32  may define a substantially lean profile to minimize the effect of the wind causing a repulsive force thereon, which is a function of the area and shape of the lever guard surface. Such a force at high speed may create undesirable torque on the handlebar  12  especially if the lever guard  10  is mounted on the brake lever side only. 
         [0059]    According to an embodiment, and as best shown in  FIG. 4 , the second arm segment  32  may further define a first curvilinear intermediate portion  64  defining a concave recessed portion  66  in a direction opposite to the handlebar  12 . The purpose of the concave recessed portion  66  is to prevent interference of the second arm segment  32  with a careening element  62  (i.e., on a street or racing motorcycle) when the handlebar  12  is being pivoted near its maximum angular position, moving the lever guard  10  dose to the careening element  62 . 
         [0060]    According to an embodiment, and still referring to  FIG. 4 , the second arm segment  32  may further define a second curvilinear intermediate portion  68  defining a second recessed portion opening  70  in the direction of the handlebar  12  to provide a clearance for the rider&#39;s hand between the lever  14  and the second arm segment  32 . 
         [0061]    According to an embodiment, the position of the second arm segment  32  and the resulting clearance may be adjusted through a user adjustable stop member assembly  72 . 
         [0062]    According to an embodiment, the user adjustable stop member assembly  72  may include a flange  74  defined at the second end  30  of the first arm segment  26 . The flange  74  is provided with a threaded hole for receiving a threaded stop member  78 , such as a machine screw, which may be lockable at a user selected depth in the threaded hole using a nut  80 , to set the position of the seat  82  on which the proximal end  38  of the second arm segment  32  abuts in a rest position to resist forces applied thereto in the direction of the handlebar  12 . 
         [0063]    According to an embodiment, the articulated joint  40  is defined by mating fork shaped drilled ends  86  and  88  of first arm segment  26  and second arm segment  32  pivotally assembled about an axle  90 . The articulated joint  40  is a single axis joint which enables displacement of the second arm segment  32  away from the user adjustable stop member assembly  72  in a direction opposite to the handlebar  12 . A coil spring  92  is mounted in the articulated joint  40  to provide a biasing force holding the second arm segment  32  against the seat  82  of the user adjustable stop member assembly  72  in its rest position when no external force is applied thereto. 
         [0064]    According to an embodiment, the second arm segment  32  may adopt different angular positions with respect to the first arm segment  26  under the action of a force applied in a direction opposite to the handlebar mounting device  42 , and may resume into its rest position when the force is withdrawn. Thus, a twofold protection is provided: 1) the lever guard  10  prevents forces and impacts applied in the handlebar  12  direction from contacting the lever  14  and causing undesired operation of the lever  14  (i.e., brake lever or clutch lever) and 2) a force applied in the opposite direction causes the lever guard  10  to collapse forwardly thus preventing torque from being transferred to the handlebar  12  to interfere with the motorcycle steering operation. 
         [0065]    According to an embodiment, the second arm segment  32  (with or without shield member  52 ) may also help in protecting the motorbike since it takes the hardest portion of the hit when the bike goes down and limits bike damages (i.e., damages on the front brake master cylinder  94 , lever  14 , gas tank (not shown) and the like). 
         [0066]    The lever guard  10  associated with a spring-back collapsible lever further prevents hand and/or wrist injuries when the rider is being projected forwardly. It can also be seen on  FIG. 4  that the lever guard  10 , which has its handlebar mounting device  42  and first arm segment  26  strategically located between the throttle handle  96  and the front brake master cylinder  94 , reduces the presence of an open space between the handlebar  12 , the front brake master cylinder  94  and the brake lever  14  to prevent a driver&#39;s wrist from being retained in that space in the event of a forward projection of the driver. 
         [0067]    According to an embodiment, first arm segment  26  and second arm segment  32  may be made of, without limitation, a metallic material, a composite material and the like, to impart the required high rigidity in spite of their desirable lean profile and light weight. 
         [0068]    According to an embodiment, the first arm segment  26  and second arm segment  32  may be made of a material capable of resisting forces applied at about a 30 km/h speed differential between a first motorcyclist and a second motorcyclist for example, or between a first motorcyclist and a careening element  62 . 
         [0069]    According to an embodiment, the shield member  52  must also be rigid and impact resistant. 
         [0070]    According to an embodiment, the shield member  52  may be molded integrally with the second arm segment  32 . However, it is to be noted that, according to another embodiment, the shield member  52  is made of a material which includes metal or a highly resistant composite material as a separate and adjustable unit. 
         [0071]    It is also to be noted that the lever guard  10  may protect the front brake master cylinder  94 , but also protect the gas/oil reservoir (not shown) or reduce the chances of losing the optimized axle of the motorcycle during a competition. Indeed, the high rigidity of the lever guard  10  enables the motorcycle to be supported on the lever guard  10  thus preventing delicate components of the motorcycle from hitting the ground in the event of a crash. In order to provide additional rigidity to the first arm segment  26  and second arm segment  32 , ribs  53  are provided (e.g., molded) one of more side thereof. 
         [0072]    To meet high mechanical stress requirements, the lever guard  10  has a sturdy construction and can be made from aerospace grade aluminum and carbon fiber reinforced composite material to optimize its strength/weight ratio. 
         [0073]    According to another embodiment, the clutch lever (not shown) may also be protected by a lever guard  10  in a similar fashion as the brake lever  14 . 
         [0074]    According to another embodiment, and referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  6 A,  6 B and  6 C, there is shown a handlebar extender  100 . The handlebar extender  100  includes a bar end extension  102  to be attached to the anchor  22  through the open end  18  (within the hollow portion  16  defined by the handlebar wall  13 ). The bar end extension  102  is capable of adopting multiple positions between an extended position ( FIG. 2 ) and a retracted position ( FIG. 1 ). The extended position provides an extension  104  externally from the open end  18  of the handlebar  12 , thereby allowing the handlebar grip  24  and the throttle slider  20  to be displaced away from the open end  18  on the handlebar wall  13  of the handlebar  12  for providing additional space  106  (corresponding to extension  104 ) for receiving the lever guard  10  on the handlebar  12 . 
         [0075]    More particularly, in  FIG. 1 , there is shown that the handlebar extender  100  is for releasably attachment to the anchor  22  disposed at an end  15  of the handlebar  12  within the hollow portion  16 . 
         [0076]    According to an embodiment, the bar end extension  102  may include a main portion  108 , which defines a hollow space  110 , to be at least partially inserted within the hollow portion  16  of the handlebar  12 . The bar end extension  102  may further include an lip portion  112  extending from the main portion  108  of the bar end extension  102  for providing an abutment against which the handlebar grip  24  and the throttle slider  20  will come into contact when displaced on the handlebar  14  to cover the extension  104  created by the handlebar extender  100 . 
         [0077]    It is to be noted that the main portion  108  and the lip portion  112  of the bar end extension  102  may be of a cylindrical shape such as to best suit with the hollow cylindrical shape of the handlebar  12 . 
         [0078]    According to an embodiment, the handlebar extender  100  may be a rubber expander or any other suitable expander which may be inserted in the hollow portion  16  of a handlebar  12 . 
         [0079]    It is to be noted that, often, the anchor  22  is normally previously mounted within a handlebar  12 . The handlebar extender  100  includes a bar end extension  102  which is for attachment to the anchor  22  to create an extension  104  of about 15 mm, or any other extension needed. The lever guard  10  may then be connected to the handlebar  12  without difficulty. The lever guard  10  may then be positioned between the front brake master cylinder  94 /switch  114  and the throttle slider  20 /handlebar grip  24 , 
         [0080]    It is to be noted that the throttle housing  116  may be displaced with the handlebar grip  24  and the throttle slider  20  when the bar end extension  102  is at any position between the unextended position and the extended position. For allowing the reception of the lever guard  10  or any other suitable device on the handlebar  12 , the handlebar extender  100  may allow for a displacement of the handlebar grip  24  with the throttle slider  20  of a length of about 15 mm. 
         [0081]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6A ,  6 B and  6 C, there are shown handlebar extenders  100  in accordance with other embodiments. There are shown different possibilities of connecting or mounting the bar end extension  102  to the anchor  22  or within the hollow portion  16  (or to any other suitable fixed part or portion of the handlebar  12 ). For example, a retaining wall may be supported by the extremity of the handlebar  12  to create a fixed space of 15 mm. 
         [0082]    The handlebar extender  100  may further include a connector  118  for attachment of the anchor  22  and the bar end extension  102 . The connector  118  may be a screw or any other suitable connector or fastening device such as to connect the handlebar extender  100  to the handlebar  12  of the motorbike. 
         [0083]    It is to be noted that the lever guard  10  and the handlebar extender  100  may fit on any suitable handlebar  12 . More particularly, the lever guard  10  and the handlebar extender  100  may fit on a standard handlebar having a 22 mm external diameter. 
         [0084]    According to an embodiment, there is provided a ring  55  between the anchor  22  and the bar end extension  102 . The ring  55  can be of different lengths according to the extension  104  and conversely the additional space  106  which is required. According to an embodiment, the ring  55  has a given length which corresponds to the extension  104 . The ring  55  thereby ensures that the extension  104  that is required is respected. It is envisaged that a lever guard and handlebar extender kit would include rings  55  of different lengths to take into account the varying needs for additional space  106  that would be required on handlebars  12  of different motorcycles. 
         [0085]    According to another embodiment, there is provided a method for installing a lever guard  10  on a handlebar  12  having a throttle slider  20 , a handlebar grip  24 , a switch  114  and a front brake master cylinder  94  installed thereon. The method includes the steps of removing the existing handlebar end cap; installing a handlebar extender  100  at an end  15  of the handlebar  12  to create an extension  104 ; sliding the throttle slider  20  and the handlebar grip  24  over the extension  104  to create additional space  106  opposite the extension  104 ; moving the other components installed on the handlebar; and installing a first end  28  of the lever guard  10  on the handlebar  12  after any one of: the switch  114 , the front brake master cylinder  94  and the throttle housing  116 . 
         [0086]    In use, a motorcyclist slides or displaces the handlebar extender  100  away from the handlebar  12  to create an extension  104  and can then slide the throttle slider  20  and the handlebar grip  24  on the extension  104  created to provide additional space  106  to mount a device such as the lever guard  10  described above between one of the switch  114  and the front brake master cylinder  94  (which do not move relative to the handlebar  12 ) and the throttle housing  116 , the throttle slider  20  and the handlebar grip  24 . 
         [0087]    According to other embodiments (not shown), accessories may be mounted on or near the lever guard  10 . The accessories may include a rear view mirror, blinkers, a camera (such as a GoPro® Camera and the like), and a LED fog lamp. It is to be noted that the accessories may be mounted on the first arm segment  26 , the second arm segment  32  and/or the shield member  52 . The rear view mirror may also be part of the shield member  52 . 
         [0088]    It is to be noted that the lever guard  10  and the handlebar extender  100  may be positioned on one side only of the motorcycle or on both sides (i.e., one side for the clutch lever and one side for the brake lever). 
         [0089]    While preferred embodiments have been described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from this disclosure. Such modifications are considered as possible variants comprised in the scope of the disclosure.