A dampener including a valve movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively alter the compression damping rate of the shock absorber. The valve may include a self-centering feature which operates to keep the valve body centered about the valve shaft. The dampener may also include a timer feature, which retains the valve in an open position for a predetermined period of time after it is initially opened.

A combination bicycle fork and steering tube assembly is formed with a pair of downwardly directed, mutually converging end closure tabs that are bent over into abutment and welded together to define peripherally enclosed fork openings at the ends of the steerer tube. The upper ends of the hollow fork legs are configured to follow the surface contours of the lower end of the steerer tube and are welded to the end closure tabs about the circumferences of the enclosed fork openings at the lower en...

Power control circuitry and method for controlling a variable output DC power source. The power control circuitry may include a first comparator to compare a signal representative of an output current level of the variable output DC power source with a threshold level and provide a first output signal in response to the comparison. The power control circuitry may further include threshold input circuitry to provide the threshold level to the first comparator, the threshold level being a fixed th...

A bicycle suspension assembly elastically supports a first frame member to a second frame member. The suspension assembly preferably forms a bottom bracket unit that allows the rear frame member to pivot about the axis of the bicycle crank axle without any adverse affects to the drive train assembly. Preferably, the suspension assembly includes a first suspension member, a second suspension member, a first bearing unit, and a shock-absorbing structure. The first bearing unit is operatively dispo...

A bicycle frame set comprising a main frame and a rear wheel suspension system. The rear wheel suspension system comprises a first link member with an upper end pivotally connected to a seat tube of the main frame at a link pivot point located rearward of an axis extending between a bottom bracket of the main frame and an intersection of the seat tube and a top tube of the main frame. The first link member has a displaceable lower end pivotable about the link pivot point. The swing-arm is pivota...

Seven forward speeds and three reverse speeds are realized by combining two compound planetary gear sets using three clutches and four brakes, and each shift speed is realized by operating two frictional elements, thereby reducing a capacity of a hydraulic pump and enhancing an efficiency of a hydraulic pressure control by realizing each shift speed by operating two frictional elements. A first shift portion and a second shift portion are disposed on the same shaft axis. The first shift portion ...

Seven forward speeds and three reverse speeds are realized by combining two compound planetary gear sets using three clutches and four brakes, and each shift speed is realized by operating two frictional elements, thereby reducing a capacity of a hydraulic pump and enhancing an efficiency of a hydraulic pressure control by realizing each shift speed by operating two frictional elements. A first shift portion and a second shift portion are disposed on the same shaft axis. The first shift portion ...

A bicycle frame set comprising a main frame and a rear wheel suspension system including a swing-arm, a first link member and an intermediate lower link member. The swing arm has a forward end pivotally connected to the main frame. The swing-arm pivots such that a rear wheel axle on the swing-arm pivots about the lower pivot point on the frame with a constant radius of rotation. The first link member is pivotally connected to the main frame at a link pivot point, and has a displaceable lower end...

A bicycle suspension has a suspension frame unit and a shock absorber. The suspension frame unit comprises a pair of parallel triangular members each including a horizontal rear fork arm and a pair of inclined stays with their upper joined portion disposed in a space defined in the main frame of a bicycle. The shock absorber has its one end pivoted to the joined portion of the inclined stays and the other end pivoted to a portion of the main frame a little rearward of the steering head of the bi...

A front fork has an air pump provided in one of a pair of front pipes at respective sides of the front fork. The air pump has an axle inserted into the front pipe. One end of the axle is provided with a piston, and the other end of the axle is connected to a handle. An air chamber is formed in the front pipe.