BOISE, Idaho (BRAIN) — Mountain Bike and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Mert Lawwill, an innovator of modern bicycle suspension design with the four-bar system, passed away recently. He was 85.
Lawwill appeared in the 1971 Oscar-nominated motorcycle documentary On Any Sunday. He was the 1969 Motorcycle Grand National Champion, and built a legacy in the bicycle and motorcycle industries. He developed his own motorcycle racing chassis design that became common in professional dirt track racing in the '70s and '80s.
After his motorcycle racing career ended, Lawwill helped develop one of the first production mountain bikes, the Pro Cruiser, in 1977. His four-bar suspension design was adopted by leading brands including Yeti Cycles and Schwinn.
Lawwill also developed the Lawwill Leader, a link suspension bicycle fork.
A more personal invention, Mert's Hands, was designed to help friend and dirt track competitor Chris Draayer, who had an arm amputated after an accident. The prosthetic innovation allows riders who have lost a hand or arm to maintain a secure connection to the bars while still being able to release in the event of a fall.
Lawwill was preceded in death by his wife, June Lawwill. He is survived by his son, Joe Lawwill; daughter, Marcella Lawwill; stepsons, Rick, Mike, and Tim Suchomel; and three grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held, with the date and details to be announced later.
