Any such thing as "non fork" front suspension you can buy?

[todayican2]

Looking to build a fast bike / small motorcycle with front suspension that extends forward from the frame instead of forks (reason I want to do this is I am looking to build it very very low and forks would interfere with the line of sight.

Any ideas?

 

[gogo]

I have a hard time visualizing forks getting in the way of your line of sight. Can you explain further or make a sketch?

 

[TPA]

Maybe the springer style that are commonly used on chopper builds?

 

[fechter]

That would be hard. The front wheel needs a steering piviot, and that pivot needs to be on the right axis. Something mounted on the side would limit the steering radius. A tadpole 3 wheeler would be one way around this. If you took one front wheel off one of those and had a strong enough arm to hold it, it might work (but it would look really goofy).

 

[EVnewbie]

Agreed,
Get a tadpole recumbent trike, suspended or not to suit your needs. Since you are talking speed (small motorcyle) I am assuming you need suspension. Check here to see if this would suit your needs:

http://loraxmotors.com/products/the-hauler

The front two wheels are driven and the steering is on the back. Uses 26 inch wheels on the front and is suspended...and is made to haul a lot of weight. Yes, it has an electric motor option so maybe they can beef up the frame to what you are looking for.

 

[JEB]

I built a rear steer ("Dymaxium" (Sp) by Buckminster Fuller) type trike, when it says (on lorax/the-hauler) 20mph max. belive it, too fast and the thing will shifting/weight steer, causing one into a over steer correction- going to a out of control condition.

Fuller and builders of the three wheel rear steer car (back in the early 30's) tried 20~? ways to try to overcome the steering problem, never did find a listing as to how they solved the problem. (One person was killed in the crash, with the press following behind.)

The best solution that I came up with _besides a 2 1/2 to 1 reduction_ was to put a spring loaded center finding cam, (over the rear wheel) that required a lot of force to climb out of the straight forward steering position.

Maybe computer steering would solve the problem. "drive by wire"?

 

[spinningmagnets]

You will probably have to fabricate something in your garage from scratch. Google "Ner-A-Car" it may be similar to what you're thinking?

http://www.realclassic.co.uk/neracar05121600.html

 

[John in CR]

Eye level very low doesn't sound safe at all for any useful bike. What is this for, some kind of lowracer?

John

 

[todayican2]

Sorry I haven't been responding, ive been on a road trip for the business.

I am thinking about 15" seat height so about 45" at the top of the helmet so it seems on the border of whether forks might work, ill make a sketch when I get home tomorrow night.

 

[DaveAK]

I saw something about one of the newer, (maybe prototype), electric motorcycles having a single side front swing arm. I think it was pictured/reported at the eGrand Prix in Ohio. Maybe someone can confirm or deny this?

 

[Jay64]

No, there was no single sided front swingarm at the eGrandPrix at Ohio. At least not amoungst the ebikes.

 

[Jay64]

There were a couple of bikes that went 'forkless', like the Yamaha GTS1000 http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/yamaha/yamaha_gts1000_abs.htm
and Bimota made something along that line. The Tesi

or their newer version

 

[HAL9000v2.0]

I have Italjet formula based project for sale.

[youtube]c_2DAMiJjhU[/youtube]
[youtube]h4In_9niUgI[/youtube]

 

[TylerDurden]

Ah... now it's getting clearer for me. A 'non-fork' steering system could be good for a torpedo-shape or a delta EV.

The tricky part would seem to be keeping the steering unaffected by the suspension motion.

 

[TylerDurden]

I don't think you can buy this, per se:

http://www.hossack-design.co.uk/php/page.php?p=4

"As for inventing, nothing has come along to change my views. I still believe that prospective inventors should raise the money first. As I have said, don't put your shirt on it. Fact is, it bankrupted me and benefited someone else. I get a kick out of reading all the feedback complimenting the handling and that may be it."