Modified front fork for motorcycle configured to reduce trail distance

Abstract

A front fork for a motorcycle includes a bottom portion configured to engage an axle of a front wheel, the bottom portion having a center line at an angle relative to vertical. An angled middle portion extends from a top of the bottom portion at an angle relative to vertical that is larger than the bottom portion center line angle relative to vertical. A steering head attachment extends from a top of the angled middle portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A steering assembly for a front wheel of a motorcycle, comprising:
 a front fork comprising:
 a bottom portion configured to engage an axle of a front wheel, the bottom portion having a center line at an angle relative to vertical; and 
 an angled upper portion extending from the bottom portion wherein the front fork reduces a trail distance relative to a substantially straight front fork; 
   a steering head secured to the angled upper portion, wherein the steering head has an axis of rotation that is substantially parallel with the center line of the bottom portion; and   a suspension secured to the steering head and a main body of the motorcycle.   
     
     
         2 . The steering assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the angled upper portion includes a steering head attachment configured to engage a steering head assembly along a steering axis parallel to the center line. 
     
     
         3 . The steering assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the steering head attachment and the bottom portion have axes that are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         4 . The steering assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the lower portion and the steering head attachment are configured to decrease trail distance and not to increase rake of the fork. 
     
     
         5 . The steering assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the front fork is configured to reduce a trail distance relative to a substantially straight front fork. 
     
     
         6 . The steering assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the axes that are substantially parallel are substantially parallel to the steering head axis of rotation. 
     
     
         7 . A front fork for a motorcycle, comprising:
 a bottom portion configured to engage an axle of a front wheel, the bottom portion having a center line at an angle relative to vertical;   an angled middle portion extending from a top of the bottom portion at an angle relative to vertical that is larger than the bottom portion center line angle relative to vertical; and   a steering head attachment extending from a top of the angled middle portion.   
     
     
         8 . The front fork of  claim 7 , wherein the steering head attachment is configured to engage a steering head assembly along a steering axis parallel to the center line. 
     
     
         9 . The front fork of  claim 7 , wherein the front fork is configured to reduce a trail distance relative to a substantially straight front fork. 
     
     
         10 . The front fork of  claim 7 , wherein the steering head attachment and the bottom portion have axes that are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         11 . The front fork of  claim 10 , wherein the axes that are substantially parallel are substantially parallel to a steering axis of a motorcycle mounting the front fork. 
     
     
         12 . The front fork of  claim 7 , wherein the lower portion and the steering head attachment are configured to decrease trail distance and not to increase rake of the fork. 
     
     
         13 . A three wheel motorcycle, comprising:
 a dual rear wheel set and a front wheel;   an engine and a drive train; and   a steering assembly for the front wheel of the motorcycle, comprising:   a front fork comprising:
 a bottom portion configured to engage an axle of a front wheel, the bottom portion having a center line at an angle relative to vertical; and 
 an angled upper portion extending from the bottom portion wherein the front fork reduces a trail distance relative to a substantially straight front fork; 
   a steering head secured to the angled upper portion, wherein the steering head has an axis of rotation that is substantially parallel with the center line of the bottom portion; and   a suspension secured to the steering head and a main body of the motorcycle.   
     
     
         14 . The three wheel motorcycle of  claim 13 , wherein the angled upper portion includes a steering head attachment configured to engage a steering head assembly along a steering axis parallel to the center line. 
     
     
         15 . The three wheel motorcycle of  claim 14 , wherein the steering head attachment and the bottom portion have axes that are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         16 . The three wheel motorcycle of  claim 15 , wherein the lower portion and the steering head attachment are configured to decrease trail distance and not to increase rake of the fork. 
     
     
         17 . The three wheel motorcycle of  claim 13 , wherein the front fork is configured to reduce a trail distance relative to a substantially straight front fork. 
     
     
         18 . The three wheel motorcycle of  claim 17 , wherein the axes that are substantially parallel are substantially parallel to the steering head axis of rotation.