Motorcycle Fork Rake Extension Kit Adapter Blocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorcycle rake extension kits alter the trail undesirably when increasing fork rake, leading to less desirable and potentially unsafe handling, and are limited in adjustment range due to their design.
Innovation Solution
A motorcycle fork rake extension kit comprising upper and lower adapter blocks fixedly attached to the steering head, with triple trees rotatably attached through bearings, allowing for increased fork rake without altering the trail, by spacing the triple tree ends differently to maintain a favorable trail and provide up to 45 degrees of rake.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If existing rake extension kits angularly offset the forks with respect to the steering head, then the fork rake is increased, but the trail is undesirably altered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces adapter blocks as intermediary components between the steering head and the triple trees. These adapter blocks maintain the original steering head axis while providing the necessary rake adjustment, thereby avoiding direct angular offsetting of the forks that would alter the trail. The adapter blocks act as mediators that decouple the rake adjustment function from the trail-altering effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the rake adjustment function from the trail alteration effect by using separate adapter blocks that can be independently designed and positioned. This segmentation allows the system to achieve rake extension without necessarily compromising trail, as the adapter blocks can be configured to maintain proper geometric relationships.
2Adaptability or versatility
If eccentrics are used in the steering head to adjust fork rake, then rake adjustment is achieved, but the adjustment range is severely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs adjustable adapter blocks that can be positioned at different angles and spacings, providing dynamic adaptability in rake adjustment. This dynamic configuration capability allows for a wide range of rake adjustments without the severe limitations of eccentric mechanisms, while the modular nature of the adapter blocks keeps the overall device complexity manageable.
3Shape
If permanent modifications are made to the motorcycle frame to extend fork angle, then the desired rake is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the rake adjustment function from the motorcycle frame itself by using separate, bolt-on adapter blocks. This extraction eliminates the need for permanent frame modifications such as welding or altering the steering head angle, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving the desired fork angle extension.
Data Source
AI summary
A motorcycle fork rake extension kit provides an increased fork rake without welding and maintains a favorable trail. The extension kit includes an upper adapter block fixedly attached to an upper end of a steering head of a motorcycle frame and a lower adapter block fixedly attached to a lower end of the steering head of the motorcycle frame. Triple trees are rotatably attached to triple tree ends of the adapter blocks through steering head bearings. The triple tree ends of the adapter blocks are spaced away from the frame, the lower adapter block having a greater spacing to increase fork rake. The lower triple tree may further space the fork tubes forward to further increase fork rake. In a preferred embodiment, approximately 45 degrees of rake is provided with favorable trail.