# US 7,743,868 B2 · Radiator mounting for a motorcycle

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- Number: US 7,743,868 B2
- Document ID: US7743868B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/765,524
- Filed: 2007-06-20
- Published: 2008-12-25
- Granted: 2010-06-29
- Earliest claimed: 2007-06-20
- Assignees: Buell Motorcycle Company
- Inventors: Erik F. Buell
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7743868B2

## CPC

- B62K 11/04: characterised by the engine being between front and rear wheels
- B62K 19/30: Frame parts shaped to receive other cycle parts or accessories (axle suspensions B62K25/00)
- B62M 7/02: with engine between front and rear wheels
- B62K: CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDECARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
- B62M: RIDER PROPULSION OF WHEELED VEHICLES OR SLEDGES; POWERED PROPULSION OF SLEDGES OR {SINGLE-TRACK} CYCLES; TRANSMISSIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SUCH VEHICLES (arrangements or mounting of transmissions in vehicles in general B60K; transmission elements per se F16)

## Abstract

A motorcycle includes a front wheel defining a forward direction, a rear wheel defining a rotational axis, an engine for driving at least one of the wheels, coolant positioned at least partially in the engine, and a radiator assembly containing at least a portion of the coolant. The radiator assembly includes a radiator and an inlet guide. The radiator is positioned forward of the rotational axis and has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is positioned forward of the lower portion. The inlet guide is positioned adjacent the radiator and includes an inlet opening. At least a portion of the inlet guide extends upwardly from the inlet opening of the radiator, and the inlet opening is positioned closer to the rear wheel than to the front wheel.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A motorcycle comprising:
at least two wheels, the at least two wheels including a front wheel generally defining a forward direction and a rear wheel defining a rotational axis;
an engine for driving at least one of the wheels;
coolant positioned at least partially in the engine; and
a radiator assembly containing at least a portion of the coolant and including
a radiator positioned forward of the rotational axis and having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion is positioned forward of the lower portion, and
an inlet guide positioned adjacent the radiator and including an inlet opening, wherein at least a portion of the inlet guide extends upwardly from the inlet opening to the radiator, and wherein the inlet opening is positioned closer to the rear wheel than to the front wheel.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The motorcycle of claim 1, wherein the radiator is positioned substantially rearward of the engine.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The motorcycle of claim 1, wherein the upper portion is positioned forward of the lower portion by at least about 15 degrees relative to a vertical axis.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The motorcycle of claim 1, wherein the radiator has an inlet surface into which air is received and an outlet surface through which air is expelled, and wherein the inlet surface faces downward.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The motorcycle of claim 4, wherein the inlet surface faces downward by at least about 15 degrees relative to a horizontal axis.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The motorcycle of claim 4, wherein the radiator assembly further includes an outlet guide positioned near the outlet surface and having an outlet opening, wherein at least a portion of the outlet opening is positioned at an elevation higher than the inlet opening.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The motorcycle of claim 1, wherein the rear wheel includes a top surface, and wherein at least a portion of the inlet opening is positioned at an elevation below the top surface.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The motorcycle of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the inlet opening is positioned at an elevation below the rotational axis of the rear wheel.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The motorcycle of claim 8, wherein the entire inlet opening is positioned at an elevation below the rotational axis.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The motorcycle of claim 7, wherein the entire inlet opening is positioned at an elevation below the top surface.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The motorcycle of claim 1, wherein the motorcycle further includes a seat, and wherein the inlet opening is positioned directly below the seat.