Motor vehicle handlebars and hydraulic system therefor

A system for actuating a brake on a motor vehicle of the type having handlebars for steering, comprising:

• a brake control lever pivotally mounted on said handlebars;
• a master cylinder mounted inside said handlebars, said master cylinder including a master cylinder piston axially moveable therein mechanically connected to said brake control lever;
• a slave cylinder in fluid communication with said master cylinder, said slave cylinder including a slave cylinder piston disposed therein, said slave cylinder axially movable responsive to fluid pressure changes caused by movement of said master cylinder piston, said slave cylinder piston mechanically connected to said brake;
• a reservoir in fluid communication with said master cylinder and said slave cylinder, said reservoir having a reservoir piston disposed therein to expand or contract the volume of said reservoir, said reservoir in fluid communication with a fluidly sealable fill hole;
• and
• a stem mechanically connected to said reservoir piston and extending from said reservoir such that when said stem is axially withdrawn said reservoir piston moves axially to expand the volume of said reservoir, whereby said system is charged with fluid by filling said fill hole with fluid and withdrawing said stem to draw said fluid into said reservoir then depressing said stem to contract the volume of said reservoir and drive any drawn air from the reservoir and fluidly sealing said fill hole.

A system for actuating a clutch on a motor vehicle of the type having handlebars for steering, comprising:

• a clutch control lever pivotally mounted on said handlebars;
• a master cylinder mounted inside said handlebars, said master cylinder including a master cylinder piston axially moveable therein mechanically connected to said clutch control lever;
• a slave cylinder in fluid communication with said master cylinder, said slave cylinder including a slave cylinder piston disposed therein, said slave cylinder axially movable responsive to fluid pressure changes caused by movement of said master cylinder piston, said slave cylinder piston mechanically connected to said clutch;
• a reservoir in fluid communication with said master cylinder and said slave cylinder, said reservoir having a reservoir piston disposed therein to expand or contract the volume of said reservoir, said reservoir in fluid communication with a fluidly sealable fill hole;
• and
• a stem mechanically connected to said reservoir piston and extending from said reservoir such that when said stem is axially withdrawn said reservoir piston moves axially to expand the volume of said reservoir, whereby said system is charged with fluid by filling said fill hole with fluid and withdrawing said stem to draw said fluid into said reservoir then depressing said stem to contract the volume of said reservoir and drive any drawn air from the reservoir and fluidly sealing said fill hole.