The D1200R arose as a proposal for the development of the patent by Juan Elizalde Bertrand on behalf of the Arco Design and Projects Company (where the company own the patent). Elizalde proposes to do without the standard steering axle in motorcycles with forks substituting it for a system which relates the back and front wheels of the motorcycle more rigidly and directly.
The main objective of this project was to take a further step in the development of the patent transforming it into a viable solution, since the original proposal is poorly defined with respect to its resolution, as can be seen from figure 4.
In this design the starting point was the system used by Foale in the QL (www.tonyfoale.com). Among other things we have tried to increase the overall combined front rigidity and reduce the friction in the steering. As a result, in this case, the front vertical arm does not rotate (it only allows an upward-downward movement), the rotation is performed by an interior plate which brings the steering from a telescopic tube to the stub axle of the wheel and the ball joints are substituted with bearings.
It also provides direct steering (no cardan joints or braces rods are used) and a one-to-one turning ratio masterminded by Carlos Beltrán. The use of direct steering instead of the use of rods and ball joints limits and complicates the selection of the geometry of the suspension even though it avoids movement of the steering with the path of the suspension system (bump steering).
The downside to this design is a more complex and heavier system (greater non-suspended mass) than that used by Foale.
The mechanical design has been carried out by Carlos Beltrán and I. The aesthetic design has been part of my input. Roberto García has been the patron and the number one assistant.