Abstract

A rear wheel suspension mechanism for a rear-wheel drive motorcycle or the like includes at least two longitudinally extending oscillating arms, an oscillating axle support articulated to a first end of each of the oscillating arms at respective first joints, second ends of the oscillating arms being articulated to respective points of the vehicle frame at respective second joints. The first joints and the axis of a first sprocket coupled to the rear drive wheel constitutes apices of a first virtual triangle, while the second joints and the axis of rotation of a second sprocket mounted at the output of a gear box constitute apices of a second virtual triangle, the first and second virtual triangles being substantially congruent and similarly oriented at all times. In this manner, the transmission coupling the first and second sprockets, such as a transmission chain, gear arrangement, or the like, will not become loose or too tight or misaligned during operation. Two of the first and second joints may be moveable while maintaining the first and second ends of the arms articulated to the axle support and motorcycle frame respectfully to provide for continuous adjustment of the distance between the first and second joints formed by each of the oscillating arms.