Directly connected suspension is a simple and effective mechanical arrangement where the shock absorber in control of front wheel suspension action bolts directly onto the rear wheel swinging arm/fork, and, the shock absorber in control of rear wheel suspension action bolts directly onto the front wheel suspension control arm. The controlling shock absorber of its respective suspension system is set at an acute angle and at a levered distance from the pivot point of the member to which it attaches, and where it attaches to the opposing suspension system it is set at an obtuse angle and at a reduced levered distance from the pivot point thereof to transfer a limited amount of load weight and motion from one suspension system to the other, front to rear, and, rear to front. This suspension arrangement gives a self-levelling effect of the body of the bicycle/motorcycle in all dynamic conditions, and alters the suspension settings automatically for cornering braking and straight-line travelling to more ideal. For the design of directly connected suspension to operate a linkage front suspension in con-junction with a rear swinging arm/fork are required. Both of which have at least one controlling member with a pivot point on the body of the bicycle/motorcycle where both shock absorbers are interposed between members of the front and rear suspension systems. Three structural component linkage front suspension is one of the most basic and effective ever devised. It comprises of only one suspension control arm pivoting with the vehicle body and two steering members which hinge together. An upper ball joint attached with the main frame of the bicycle/motorcycle with further attachment to the upper steering member and a lower ball joint attached at the outer end of the suspension control arm with further attachment to the lower steering member, just above the front tire, together provide the steering axis. The handlebars attach with the upper steering member close to the upper ball joint and move slightly with suspension travel to give increased road feel for the rider. (Author/publisher) For this paper, other papers and posters presented at this Symposium see http://bicycle.tudelft.nl/bmd2010/
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