Method and apparatus for raking a motorcycle frame

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for, and method of, raking a motorcycle. The apparatus includes a front end having a first portion extending along a first longitudinal axis and a rear end having a second portion extending along a second longitudinal axis.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A motorcycle rake apparatus for raking the front end of a motorcycle, the apparatus comprising an adapter block, having:
 a. a front end having a first portion extending along a first longitudinal axis, the front end having a front end cross section;   b. a rear end having a second portion extending along a second longitudinal axis, the rear end having a rear end cross section, and wherein the first longitudinal axis of the first portion and the second longitudinal axis of the second portion are disposed at an angle of three to fifteen degrees relative to one another;   c. the first portion of the front end adapted to interface into a hollow portion of a front fork assembly along the first longitudinal axis, wherein the hollow portion of the front fork assembly has an inner height and an inner width, and a height and a width of the front end cross section corresponds with the inner height and the inner width of the hollow portion of the front fork assembly; and   d. the second portion of the rear end adapted to interface into a hollow portion of a rear frame assembly of the motorcycle along the second longitudinal axis, wherein the hollow portion of the rear frame assembly has an inner height and an inner width, and a height and a width of the rear end cross section corresponds with the inner height and inner width of the hollow portion of the rear frame assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The motorcycle rake apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the front end of the adapter block is adapted to interface with the front fork assembly and the rear end of the adapter block is adapted to interface with the rear frame assembly of the motorcycle. 
     
     
         3 . The motorcycle rake apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one fork stop. 
     
     
         4 . The motorcycle rake apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one cradle rail gusset. 
     
     
         5 . The motorcycle rake apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an alignment member connected to the adapter block. 
     
     
         6 . The motorcycle rake apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first longitudinal axis of the first portion and the second longitudinal axis of the second portion are disposed at an angle of 7 degrees relative to one another. 
     
     
         7 . The motorcycle rake apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first longitudinal axis of the first portion and the second longitudinal axis of the second portion are disposed at an angle of 9 degrees relative to one another. 
     
     
         8 . A method of raking a neck of a motorcycle, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. providing the motorcycle having a front fork assembly and a rear frame assembly;   b. separating the front fork assembly from the rear frame assembly to expose a hollow portion of the rear frame assembly having an inner height and an inner width;   c. providing a motorcycle rake apparatus comprising
 i. a front end having a first portion extending along a first longitudinal axis, the front end having a front end cross section; 
 ii. a rear end having a second portion extending along a second longitudinal axis, the rear end having a rear end cross section, and wherein the first longitudinal axis of the first portion and the second longitudinal axis of the second portion are disposed at an angle of three to fifteen degrees relative to one another; and 
   d. connecting a motorcycle rake apparatus to the rear frame assembly and a front fork assembly such that the motorcycle rake apparatus is positioned between the rear frame assembly and the front fork assembly.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising welding the motorcycle rake apparatus to the rear frame assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising welding the motorcycle rake apparatus to the front fork assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising welding skin pieces to the rear frame assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising connecting an alignment member to the motorcycle rake apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first longitudinal axis of the first portion and the second longitudinal axis of the second portion are disposed at an angle of 7 degrees relative to one another. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first longitudinal axis of the first portion and the second longitudinal axis of the second portion are disposed at an angle of 9 degrees relative to one another. 
     
     
         15 . A method of raking a motorcycle front end, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a motorcycle having a rear frame assembly with a hollow portion of the rear frame assembly exposed, the hollow portion of the rear frame assembly having an inner height and an inner width;   b. providing a motorcycle rake apparatus comprising
 i. a front end having a first portion extending along a first longitudinal axis, wherein the front end has a front end cross section, and the first portion of the front end is adapted to interface into a hollow portion of a front fork assembly along the first longitudinal axis; 
 ii. a rear end having a second portion extending along a second longitudinal axis, the rear end having a rear end cross section, and wherein the first longitudinal axis of the first portion and the second longitudinal axis of the second portion are disposed at an angle of three to fifteen degrees relative to one another; 
   c. inserting the front end of the motorcycle rake apparatus into the front fork assembly, wherein the hollow portion of the front fork assembly has an inner height and an inner width, and a height and a width of the front end cross section corresponds with the inner height and the inner width of the hollow portion of the front fork assembly; and   d. inserting the rear end of the motorcycle rake apparatus into the rear frame assembly, wherein a height and a width of the rear end cross section corresponds with the inner height and inner width of the hollow portion of the rear frame assembly.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising welding the motorcycle rake apparatus to the rear frame assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising welding the motorcycle rake apparatus to the front fork assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising welding skin pieces to the rear frame assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising connecting an alignment member to the motorcycle rake apparatus. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first longitudinal axis of the first portion and the second longitudinal axis of the second portion are disposed at an angle of between 7 and 9 degrees relative to one another.