I am fascinated by the front end on these bikes, especially the Honda with #12 on the number plates. Many years ago when I was a kid, I was given the opportunity to ride a Greeves like the one in the photo a few posts above. The leading link front suspension on the bike was intended (in the days of shorter suspensions) to absorb the shock through the triangulation of the forks and shock rather than transfer it up to the handlebars, and it worked, to an extent. The quirk to the system was that the front brake was anchored to the lower front swing arm (not sure of the correct term) that the axle was attached to, when the brake was applied, the rotational torque from the front wheel twisted the axle and the front swing arm downward. Under braking the front of the bike rose instead of falling... which was unique but probably hurt the cornering ability. I notice on both the Honda and the Suzuki that they have a link from the brake backing plate that creates a floating brake, much like the rear drum brakes on the vintage MX'ers, the link on them does not attach to the rear swing arm, but extends up to the frame to prevent the rotational twist that tends to lock (or at least affect) the rear suspension. Both the Honda and the Suzuki should drop the front end when braking, contrary to the original leading link forks. This can be important when coming into a corner (at least on dirt bikes, not necessarily true of road racing where anti dive is valued). It is interesting to note also that the lower links on the #12 Honda and the lower swing arm that the front axle rides in will seem to push the front wheel rearward during suspension compression, so you get more trail as the suspension compresses, may help prevent twitchiness and headshake over braking bumps. A lot of thought has gone into that suspension by people with more knowledge about it then me. I'd like to hear other thoughts on what is accomplished with this suspension, even if you disagree with my take on it. The other suspensions in the photos may work the same, just most visible on that bike.
Have read that several of these designs are adjustable for the amount of front end dive. That and lack of binding are two big pluses to these designs. I used to be way into all this and there is a lot of stuff on the web about it. http://www.tonyfoale.com/ Also look up RADD and "hub center steering"
Early 70s BMW ISDT video: http://www.historischesarchiv.bmw.de/1/webmill.php?id=158400&ditem=82963&lin=video&foldergroup=irc
"I bet it's because Ken Roczen went over there and blitzed their title and banged all their chicks" Holy Crap! I hurt myself laughing at that!
Mike Brown did some unique goofy stuff in the Enduro X nationals in Brisbane on the weekend. He's a freak. View: http://youtu.be/kEQ2yozQwG4
I think they were cool werks bikes and remember those days. They were heavy pigs though and the riders in the video have a lot of talent. They were sit down bikes. If you notice the riders in the video have a huge butt gap while standing. Felt really weird to me when I rode a consumer version because of the high foot pegs and low seat and I only have a 30" inseam!
