Abstract:
An apparatus for deterring instability of a motorcycle comprising: a support member; a stabilizer link communicating with the support member, and a frame bracket communicating with the stabilizer, wherein the stabilizer link maintains a substantially constant positional relationship between the support member and the frame bracket.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This invention is disclosed in my provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/516,670, filed Oct. 30, 2003 by the inventor. 

   FIELD OF INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to motorcycles, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to prevent suspension instability. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Motorcycles that have an engine, a transmission mounted rigidly to a single frame as a rigid member produce extreme vibration resulting in both frame and rider fatigue. In order to eliminate fatigue; manufactures like Harley-Davidson and others produce motorcycles that mount a rear suspension arm pivotally connected to a pivot member on a transmission assembly; the transmission assembly is connected to a engine to form a separate rigid power train unit; which is attached to a main frame through soft elastomeric mounts; the power train unit is interconnected by one or two stabilizer links to portions of the motorcycle; permitting movement in a vertical plane. These arrangements have reduced vibration input to the main frame and the rider; while maintaining integrity of the power train unit during transmission of driving forces between the engine and a rear wheel. 
   However, these designs have affected handling characteristics of the motorcycle due to the elastic connections between the power train unit and the main frame. Both the handling characteristic and the operating stability of the motorcycle are compromised, relative to a motorcycle configured with a single rigid frame. Because the soft elastomeric mounts: facilitate vertical movement of the power train unit relative to the main frame; and accommodate lateral deflection of the rear suspension arm in the horizontal plane; this results in weaving and wobbling; especially on long sweeping turns; which can be life threatening. This condition exists because the power train unit is interconnected with a portion of the motorcycle with less than three stabilizer links; less than three tie rods; less than three tie links; and therefore not anchored in the horizontal plane. 
   Motorcycle manufacturers do produce motorcycles with vibration isolation that interconnect the engine power train unit in respect to the main frame exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,423 issued to Buell et al, (Buell &#39;423). Buell &#39;423 teaches a plurality of at least three tie rods interconnecting the engine and the power train unit with the main frame to mitigate lateral motion of the rear suspension arm in the horizontal plane. However, Buell &#39;423 does not teach or suggest a solution to retrofit those motorcycles manufactured that have a power train unit interconnecting to the main frame with less than three tie rods. 
   A second exemplification in U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,240 issued to Buell et al (Buell &#39;240). Buell &#39;240 teaches at least three tie links interconnecting the engine and transmission assembly with the main frame to mitigate lateral motion of the rear suspension arm in the horizontal plane. However, Buell &#39;240 does not teach a solution to retrofit those motorcycles manufactured that have less than three tie links interconnecting, the power train unit to the main frame. 
   Thus, challenges remain and needs persist to provide an apparatus for deterring the dangerous and life threatening instability of the motorcycles, manufactured with vibration isolation that have less than three stabilizer links interconnecting the power train unit (first portion of the motorcycle); to the main frame (second portion of the motorcycle) to prevent lateral movement. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus to deter instability; by laterally anchoring the power train unit (first portion of the motorcycle) with the addition of a third stabilizer link to vibration isolated motorcycles manufactured with less than three stabilizer links; still allowing movement in the vertical plane; including a support member; a stabilizer link communicating with the support member; and a frame bracket communicating with the stabilizer, wherein the stabilizer link maintains a substantially constant positional relationship between the support member and the frame bracket; cooperate to deter instability of the motorcycle. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an elevated side view of a apparatus constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a left side view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a right side view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   An embodiment of the apparatus is built by steps that include providing a rectangular aluminum material stock 7.5 cm×18 cm×40 cm for use in producing a component part  10  of the apparatus; separating each component part  12  and  14  of the apparatus from the material stock; collecting and pre-staging select component parts into an assembly kit specific to a motorcycle model; machine the material stock configuring the support bracket  10  to engage with a first portion of the motorcycle; apertures are machined in the configured support bracket  10  to attach the support bracket to the first portion of the motorcycle; the frame bracket  12  is machined from the material stock to a variable predetermined shape to correspond with a specific motorcycle model; so to engage with a second portion of the motorcycle; the frame bracket  12  is counter bored with two settling pockets 3.8 cm×12 mm deep to accommodate attachments  14  and engage to a second portion of the motorcycle; the attachments  14  are lathed and threaded ⅜-16 to engage with the frame bracket into the settling pockets and secured with bolts  18 ; the machined components are protectively sealed; then placing each component part onto a assembly fixture; corresponding to the motorcycle model; and attach the stabilizer link  16  to the support member and to the frame bracket  12  to form the apparatus. The method of manufacturing by machining is purely for immediate access to the market place; but does not excluded nor limit: die casting, fabricating, forging; extrusion, orbital forging, impact extrusion, investment casting, rubber plaster mold, sand casting, spin cast, and vacuum cast. 
   These and various other features and advantages, which characterize the present invention, will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings. 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               DRAWINGS-Reference Numerals 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               10 
               Support Member 
               12 
               Frame Bracket 
             
             
               14 
               Nut 
               16 
               Stabilizer 
             
             
               18 
               Bolt 
               20 
               Power train 
             
             
               22 
               Main frame 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   Referring to the drawings in general, and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , shown therein is an elevational side view of a support bracket  10  constructed in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. The support bracket  10  configuration depends on the power train unit  20  of the model the vibration isolated motorcycle is constructed to serve. The support bracket includes a horizontal member  101  and three vertical members  103 ,  105 , and  107 . The horizontal member has a plurality of ends  121 ,  123 ,  125 ,  127 , and  129 . Each of the vertical members  103 ,  105 , and  107  is attached to a separate end of the horizontal member. For example, vertical member  103  is attached to end  127 ; vertical member  105  is attached to end  125 ; vertical member  107  is attached to end  123 . The support bracket  10  is configured to engage four corresponding surfaces on the power train unit. For example, the vertical members may include a plurality of mounting apertures  141 ,  143 ,  145 ,  147 , and  149 . The stabilizer link  16  is pivotally connected to the horizontal member to communicate with the main frame bracket  12  at an end of an elongated brace  131  and is adjusted to align the mounting apertures of the support member  10  during installation with the main frame bracket  12 . The nuts  14  secure the main frame bracket  12  to the frame  22  with the bolts  18 ; between the support member  10  and the main frame bracket  12 . The power train unit  20  is now anchored to the main frame  22  in the horizontal plane but can still move vertically. 
     FIG. 2  is a left side bottom view of the apparatus showing the support bracket  10  attached to the power train unit  20  communicating with the stabilizer link  16  connected to the frame bracket  12  secured to the main frame by the bolt  18 . 
     FIG. 3  is a right side bottom view of the apparatus support bracket  10  attached to the power train unit  20  communicating with the stabilizer link  16  connected to the frame bracket  12  secured to the main frame  22 . 
   It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of various embodiment of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of various embodiment of the invention, this disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of structure and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present invention to the full extent indicated by the expressed examples as shown in: 
   For example  FIG. 4 ; 
   For example  FIG. 5 ; 
   For example  FIG. 6 ; and 
   For example  FIG. 7 .