Vehicle suspension element

1. A suspension element for connecting to a frame of a vehicle and a swing arm on which a wheel of the vehicle is mounted, the suspension element comprising:

a first mount end and a second mount end;

a damper extending between the first mount end and the second mount end, the damper comprising a cylinder defining a chamber, a piston being positioned in the chamber, and a rod extending into the chamber of the cylinder and extending out of one end of the cylinder, the rod having an external end located external to the chamber and an internal end located in the chamber of the cylinder and mounted on the piston such that the piston moves with the rod;

an air spring support frame comprising a first support element movable with the cylinder, a second support element mounted on the rod in a manner permitting the rod move with respect to the second support element;

an air spring assembly comprising a first air spring mount mounted on the rod to move with the rod, a second air spring mount mounted on the second support element of the air spring support frame, and a tubular air spring mounted on the first and second air spring mounts and having a flexible perimeter wall, the air spring defining a air spring interior configured to hold a quantity of air in the air spring interior; and

wherein the air spring support frame includes at least two connector elements connecting the first and second support elements, the connector elements being substantially rigid to maintain a predetermined spacing between the first and second support elements, the connector elements being spaced from each other.

2. The element of claim 1 wherein the connector elements are positioned at substantially opposite locations with respect to the air spring.

3. The element of claim 1 wherein the at least two connector elements comprise four connector elements.

4. The element of claim 1 wherein the connector elements comprise rods.

5. The element of claim 1 wherein the connector elements are spaced from the air spring.

6. The element of claim 1 wherein a quantity of air in the air spring interior is adjustable.

7. The element of claim 6 wherein the air spring assembly includes an inflation port in communication with the air spring interior to permit air to be introduced into or removed from the air spring interior to adjust an air pressure level in the air spring interior.

8. The element of claim 1 wherein an end of the cylinder forms a portion of the first mount end and the external end of the rod of the damper forms a portion of the second mount end.

9. The element of claim 1 wherein the first support element of the air spring support frame is mounted on the cylinder and positioned about the cylinder.

10. The element of claim 1 wherein the first air spring mount includes a sleeve and a support wall, the support wall being fixed to the rod to move with the rod.

11. The element of claim 1 wherein the first and second support elements each has a corner for each of the connector elements of the air spring support frame.

12. A motorcycle comprising:

a frame;

a swing arm pivotally mounted on the frame;

a wheel mounted on the swing arm; and

a suspension element connected to the frame and the swing arm, the suspension element comprising:

a first mount end mounted on one of the frame and the swing arm, and a second mount end mounted on another one of the frame and the swing arm;

a damper extending between the first mount end and the second mount end, the damper comprising a cylinder defining a chamber, a piston being positioned in the chamber, and a rod extending into the chamber of the cylinder and extending out of one end of the cylinder, the rod having an external end located external to the chamber and an internal end located in the chamber of the cylinder and mounted on the piston such that the piston moves with the rod;

an air spring support frame comprising a first support element movable with the cylinder, a second support element mounted on the rod in a manner permitting the rod move with respect to the second support element;

an air spring assembly comprising a first air spring mount mounted on the rod to move with the rod, a second air spring mount mounted on the second support element of the air spring support frame, and a tubular air spring mounted on the first and second air spring mounts and having a flexible perimeter wall, the air spring defining an air spring interior configured to hold a quantity of air in the air spring interior; and

wherein the air spring support frame includes at least two connector elements connecting the first and second support elements, the connector elements being substantially rigid to maintain a predetermined spacing between the first and second support elements, the connector elements being spaced from each other.

13. The motorcycle of claim 12 wherein the connector elements are positioned at substantially opposite locations with respect to the air spring.

14. The motorcycle of claim 12 wherein the at least two connector elements comprise four connector elements.

15. The motorcycle of claim 12 wherein the connector elements comprise rods.

16. The motorcycle of claim 12 wherein the quantity of air in the air spring interior is adjustable.

17. The motorcycle of claim 16 wherein the air spring assembly includes an inflation port in communication with the air spring interior to permit air to be introduced into or removed from the air spring interior to adjust an air pressure level in the air spring interior.