Title of Invention

MOTORCYCLE

Abstract The present invention relates to a motorcycle comprising a head pipe (2), a pair of left and right tank rails (3) that extends from the head pipe (2) in a vehicle rear direction providing a frame shape, in which a head pipe neighboring section of the tank rails (3) becomes narrower in a vehicle width direction, an engine (20) which is mounted beneath the tank rails (3) and a left and a right front cover (40) that are provided on a vehicle outer side of the left and right tank rails (3), respectively, wherein said front cover (40) has generally a sideways V-shape when viewed from the side, forming a notch (48) through which an outer side wall of the tank rails (3) is exposed and is formed from a lower half section that extends continuously downwards from the upper half section of the front cover and each of said front covers (40) including a front side neighboring section (C1) that is adjacent to said front side outer side section (3b) of the respective tank rail (3), a rear side neighboring section (E1) that is adjacent to said rear side outer side section (3c) of the respective tank rail (3), and an overhanging surface (A1) that protrudes outwards in the vehicle width direction with respect to said front side outer side section (3b) of the tank rail (3), wherein the front side neighboring section (C1) and the rear side neighboring section (E1) of the front cover (40) are both positioned in the vicinity of an upper edge of the tank rails (3) so that an upper half section (40A) of the front cover (40) covers the outer side wall of the respective tank rails (3), The said left and the right tank rails (3) extend from a rear side thereof to a front side thereof, their dimension in the upward-downward direction gradually becomes larger, and the lower half section of said front cover (40) covers the gap between the tank rails (3) and a cylinder head cover of the engine.
Full Text MOTORCYCLE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a motorcycle that
includes a pair of left and right tank rails that extend from
a head pipe in a vehicle rear direction, and a body cover that
is provided on a vehicle outer side of the left and right tank
rails.
2. Description of the Related Art
As an example of this type of motorcycle, Japanese Patent
No. 2979015, for example, proposes a structure in which an
engine is mounted beneath a left and a right tank rail, and
a radiator is positioned to the front side of the engine. A
radiator cover that introduces traveling wind to the radiator
is provided on a vehicle outer side of the left and right tank
rails.
The radiator cover has a structure that includes an upper
side section and a lower side section. The upper side section
is formed to extend along a head pipe neighboring section that
is adjacent to the head pipe of the tank rails, and the lower
side section is formed with a curved shape that continues from
the upper side section and spreads out in a fan-like shape to
the outer side in the vehicle width direction.
However, with the above described known motorcycle, the


upper side section of the radiator cover is formed to extend
along the head pipe neighboring section of the tank rails. As
a result, the structure does not have an external appearance
around the head pipe neighboring section of the tank rails that
creates an impression of robustness and strength. More
specifically, the head pipe neighboring section of the left
and the right tank rails is inclined toward the inside such
that the vehicle width space becomes narrower as the head pipe
neighboring section extends toward the head pipe side.
Providing the radiator cover such that it extends along this
section that inclines toward the inside in this manner, causes
the problem that the external appearance of the area around
the head pipe of the tank rails does not create an impression
of being large.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention has been devised in light of the above
described circumstances of the known art, and it is an object
thereof to provide a motorcycle that can improve the external
appearance of a head pipe neighboring section of tank rails.
The invention is characterized in that, in a motorcycle
including a head pipe, a left and a right tank rails extending
in a vehicle rear direction from the head pipe, and body covers
respectively disposed to an outer side of the left and the right
tank rails in a vehicle width direction, the left and the right


tank rails are formed such that a vehicle width direction space
between a pair of outer side sections thereof becomes narrower
in the vicinity of the head pipe, the vehicle width direction
space becoming narrower as the outer side sections extend
toward the head pipe side; and the respective left and right
body covers have a front side neighboring section disposed such
that it is adjacent to a front side outer side section of each
tank rail that is close to the head pipe; a rear side neighboring
section disposed at a position that is further to the rear in
a vehicle front-rear direction and further to the outer side
in the vehicle width direction than the front side neighboring
section such that the rear side neighboring section is adjacent
to a rear side outer side section of each tank rail that is
farther from the head pipe than the front side outer side
section; and an overhanging surface, which when seen in a plan
view, is continuous with the front side neighboring section,
and which is disposed at a position to the side of the front
side outer side section such that the overhanging surface
protrudes outwards in the vehicle width direction from the
front side outer side section of the tank rails.
According to the motorcycle according to the invention,
the body covers have a structure including the front side and
the rear side neighboring sections that are adjacent to the
front side and the rear side outer side section of the tank
rails. In addition, the body covers have a structure that


includes the overhanging surface that protrudes outwards in
the vehicle width direction from the front side outer side
section and that covers the front side outer side section. As
a result, at the same time as providing a frame shape in which
the head pipe neighboring section of the left and right tank
rails becomes narrower, the body cover can be given a shape
that is solid and 3-dimensional. In addition, the area around
the head pipe coveys a greater impression of being large, and
thereby has an external appearance that creates an impression
of robustness and strength.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a side view of a motorcycle according to an
embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 2 is a side view of a front cover of the motorcycle.
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the front cover.
Fig. 4 is a front view of the front cover.
Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the relationship of the
front cover and a tank rail.
Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view (a cross sectional view
along line VI - VI of Fig. 3) of the front cover.
Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view (a cross sectional view
along line VII - VII of Fig. 2) of the front cover; and
Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view (a cross sectional view
along line VIII - VIII of Fig. 2) of the front cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be
described with reference to the appended drawings.
Fig. 1 to Fig. 8 are figures that explain the motorcycle
according to the embodiment of the invention. Note that, the
terms front and rear and left and right as used in the present
embodiment indicate the front and rear and the left and right
as seen by a rider mounted on the seat. In addition, the terms
up and down as used in the present embodiment indicate upwards
and downwards in a direction that is perpendicular with respect
to the road surface.
In the figures, 1 indicates a body frame of the motorcycle.
This body frame 1 includes a head pipe 2; a left and a right
tank rails 3, 3 that extend diagonally downwards from the head
pipe 2 in the vehicle rear direction; rear arm brackets 4, 4
that extend continuously downwards from respective rear ends
of the left and the right tank rails 3, 3; seat rails 5, 5 that
extend diagonally upwards from the left and the right tank rails
3, 3 in the vehicle rear direction; and seat stays 6, 6 that
are disposed in a suspended manner between rear sections of
the left and the right seat rails 5, 5 and the left and the
right rear arm brackets 4, 4.
A front fork 7 is supported by the head pipe 2 such that
the front fork 7 can be steered to the left and the right. A


front wheel 8 is rotatably supported at a lower end of the front
fork 7. A steering handle 9 is attached to an upper end of
the front fork 7. A headlight 15 is disposed on a front side
of the head pipe 2, and a meter device 16 including a speedometer
and the like is disposed on an upper section of the headlight
15.
A front end section of a rear arm 10 is supported by the
left and the right rear arm brackets 4 such that a front end
section of the rear arm 10 is capable of swinging upward and
downward. A rear end section of the rear arm 10 pivotably
supports a rear wheel 11.
A fuel tank 12 is mounted on top of the left and the right
tank rails 3, 3, and a seat 13 on which two riders can sit is
mounted on top of the left and the right seat rails 5, 5.
A water-cooled engine 20 is mounted beneath the left and
the right tank rails 3, 3. The engine 20 has a bolt tightened
structure including a crank case 22 that houses a crank shaft
21. A cylinder block 23, a cylinder head 24, and a head cover
25 are stacked on a mating surface on the top of the crank case
22, and bolted and tightened thereto.
A transmission case 22a that incorporates a transmission
device (not shown) is formed integrally with a rear section
of the crank case 22. A drive shaft 26 that is disposed in
a rear section of the transmission case 22 rotatably drives
the rear wheel 11 via a chain 26a.


An exhaust pipe 27 is connected to a front wall section
of the cylinder head 24 . The exhaust pipe 27 extends downwards
from the front wall section, passes beneath the engine 20,
extends in the vehicle read direction, and is connected to a
muffler 28 that is disposed to the right side of the rear wheel
11.
A rear wall section of the cylinder head 24 is connected
to an intake passage 29. The intake passage 29 extends in the
rearward direction beneath the fuel tank 12 and is connected
to an air cleaner (not shown).
A radiator 30 is disposed at an upper section front side
of the engine 20. The radiator 30, as can be seen from Fig.
4, includes a core member 30b that is supported by a frame member
30a that has a rectangular shape; a left and a right tank member
30c, 30c that are disposed on the left and right sides of the
core member 30b; and an electric fan 30d that is disposed at
the rear surface of the core member 30b. A radiator cap 30e
is attached to the right tank member 30c in a removable manner.
A left upper wall section of the radiator 30 is fastened
and fixed to a radiator bracket 32, which is attached to a lower
surface of the right tank rail 3, by a bolt 32a. A left side
lower end section of the radiator 30 is fastened and fixed by
a bolt to the cylinder head 24 via an arm bracket 31. Note
that, a right upper wall section of the radiator 30 is fixed
to the radiator bracket 32 by a pin 32b, and is positioned


thereby.
The left and the right tank rails 3, 3 are extruded parts
that have a square prism like shape that has a cross section
that forms a long-sided rectangle having a dimension in the
upward-downward direction that is larger than the dimension
of the vehicle width. As the left and the right tank rails
3, 3 extend from the rear side thereof to the front side thereof,
their dimension in the upward-downward direction gradually
becomes larger. A front end section 3a of the left and the
right tank rails 3 that is a head pipe connecting member has
an upward-downward direction dimension h1 that is set to be
the same as or less than an axial direction dimension h2 of
the head pipe 2. Since the upward-downward direction
dimension hi of the tank rails 3 is substantially equal to the
axial direction dimension h2 of the head pipe 2 in this way,
the joining strength and rigidity of the left and the right
tank rails 3 and the head pipe 2 can be increased. Further,
the structure can withstand the large bending moment that is
applied to the joining section of the head pipe 2 and the front
end section 3a.
The left and the right tank rails 3, 3, when seen in a
plan view, have straight sections 3c, 3c that extend linearly
in the vehicle front-back direction, and inside inclined
sections 3b, 3b that run from front ends of the straight
sections 3c, 3c and have a narrower vehicle width space as they


extend toward the head pipe 2. A front end section 3a of the
left and the right inside inclined sections 3b, 3b is weld
bonded to the head pipe 2. Note that, the interior angle of
the left and the right inside inclined sections 3b, 3b is set
to be roughly 60 degrees . In addition, triangular shaped upper
and lower gussets 33, 34 are bonded by welding to an upper
surface and a lower surface of the left and the right inside
inclined sections 3b, 3b. In addition, an outside section of
the inside inclined sections 3b of the tank rails 3 forms a
front side outer side section that is near to the head pipe
2, and an outside section of the straight sections 3c forms
a rear side outer side section that is far from the head pipe
2.
The left and the right seat rails 5, 5 and the seat stays
6, 6 are covered by left and right side covers 38, 38 that are
made of resin. When viewed from the side of the vehicle, the
left and the right side covers 38 have a generally inverted
triangular shape, and have front edges 38a that extend along
the upper surface of the tank rails 3; upper edges 38b that
extend along lower edge sections of the fuel tank 12 and the
seat 13; and lower edges 38c that extend along the seat stays
6.
In addition, front covers 40, 40 that are made of resin
are provided at the vehicle outer side of the left and the right
tank rails 3, 3. The left and the right front covers 40, 40


function as air scoops that introduce traveling wind to the
radiator 30, and also function as decorative plates that cover
between the tank rails 3, the engine 20, and the head cover
25, thereby improving exterior appearance. Note that, the
left and the right front covers 40, 40 have shapes that
generally have left-right line symmetry. The explanation
given here will mainly focus on the left front cover 40.
The left front cover 40 is formed from a upper half
section 40a that covers an outer side wall of the left tank
rail 3, and a lower half section 40b that extends continuously
downwards from the upper half section 40a and that covers the
gap between the outer side of the radiator 30 and the tank rail
3 and the head cover 25. The left front cover 40 has a shape
that is generally a side ways V-shape when viewed from the side.
Further, the front cover 40 is a three dimensional structure
that has a plurality of continuous surfaces A - F that have
boundaries formed by edge lines al - a5 and that have different
angles with respect to the edge lines.
The edge line al, when viewed from the side, forms a shape
that is generally a side ways V-shape and that extends
diagonally forwards and downwards along generally the center
of the front-back direction of the upper half section 40a, and
that extends diagonally downwards to the rear along the
boundary of the upper half section 40a and the lower half
section 40b. The edge lines a2, a3 extend, respectively,


diagonally downward to the front and diagonally downward to
the rear along the side ways V-shape of the edge line al. In
addition, the edge lines a4, a5 extend between and connect the
upper end sections and the lower end sections of the edge lines
al, and a2, a3.
Furthermore, the region that is surrounded by the edge
lines al, a2, a3, a4, a5 forms an expanding continuous surface
A that expands in the outward direction from the tank rail 3
and that has a shape that is generally a side ways V-shape.
In addition, a rear side section of the edge line al forms
generally a side ways V-shape, a trough shaped continuous
surface B.
Further, the region that is surrounded by the edge line
a2 and an upper side front edge 40c of the upper half section
40a forms an upper side vehicle width direction continuous
surface C that extends in a curved shape toward the outer side
surface of the tank rail 3 in the vehicle width direction.
Moreover, the region surrounded by the edge line a3 and
a lower side front edge 40d of the lower half section 40b forms
a lower side vehicle width direction continuous surface D that
extends in a curved shaped toward the inside in the vehicle
width direction. In addition, the region surrounded by the
edge line a4 and an upper edge 40e of the upper half section
4 0a forms an upper edge continuous surface E that has a shape
that extends in a curved shape toward the upper edge of the


tank rail 3, and extends along the upper edge. The region
surrounded by the edge line a5 and a lower edge 40f of the lower
half section 40b forms a lower edge continuous surface F.
When seen in a plan view, a vehicle width direction inside
end section of the upper side vehicle width direction
continuous surface C forms a front side neighboring section
C1 that is adjacent to the front side outer side section 3b
of the tank rail 3 that is near to the head pipe 2. Further,
a rear end section of the upper edge continuous surface E forms
a rear side neighboring section E1 that is disposed at a
position further to the rear in the vehicle front-rear
direction and further to the outside in the vehicle width
direction than the front side neighboring section C1 such that
the rear side neighboring section E1 is adjacent to a rear side
outer side section 3c of the tank rail 3 that is far from the
head pipe 2 . The rear side neighboring section E1 and the front
side neighboring section C1 are both positioned in the vicinity
of the upper edge of the tank rail 3.
Moreover, an upper section of the expanding continuous
surface A forms an overhanging surface A1 that is disposed at
a position to the side of the front side outer side section
3b such that the overhanging surface A1 protrudes outwards in
the vehicle width direction from the front side outer side
surface 3b of the tank rail 3. Further, the overhanging
surface Al forms a front-rear direction continuous surface


that extends continuously from a neighboring section of the
rear side neighboring section El in the vehicle front-rear
direction.
When the vehicle is viewed from the side, the vehicle
width direction continuous surface C positioned at the upper
front edge of the front cover 40 is positioned to the rear of
and beneath the headlight 15. As a result, the headlight 15
is exposed to the side. Further, a front end section G of the
front cover 4 0 extends to a position at which it overlaps with
a lower end section of the head pipe 2 and a section of the
front fork 7.
A notch 48 that generally has a V-shape is formed in the
trough shaped continuous surface B positioned to the rear of
the edge line a1. The notch 48 has a lower inclined edge B1
that extends diagonally forwards and downwards from the upper
edge rear end, and an upper inclined edge B2 that extends
diagonally rearward and downward from a lower end of the lower
inclined edge Bl and overlaps with a lower edge section of the
tank rail 3. As a result of the notch 48, an outer side wall
of the tank rail 3 is exposed.
A front section inner surface of the front cover 40 is
formed with a vertical rib 40g that extends linearly in the
upward-downward direction and a horizontal rib 40h that
protrudes in the forward direction from an upward-downward
direction center section of the vertical rib 40g.


The radiator cap 30e is positioned such that a section
thereof overlaps with a rear side of the vertical rib 40g of
the right front cover 40 (refer to Fig. 4) . As a result, if
someone inserts his/her hand from the outside and turns the
radiator cap 30e, the cap 30e interferes with the vertical rib
40g. Accordingly, it is possible to inhibit people meddling
with the radiator cap 30e.
An attachment rib 40i that protrudes to the rear is formed
in a lower end section of the vertical rib 40g of the lower
half section 40b. This attachment rib 40i is fixed to a bottom
wall of the tank 30c of the radiator 30 by a positioning pin
41 including an elastic bush.
An attachment seat 40j is formed to inwardly recess in
a rear end section of the lower half section 40b. This
attachment seat 40j is fixed to a cover bracket 42 fixed to
the lower surface of the tank rail 3 by a bolt (not shown) that
is screwed in from the outer side.
A bolt hole 40k is formed in the front side neighboring
section C1 of the upper half section 40a. The front side
neighboring section C1 is fixed to a cover bracket 45 fixed
to the outer side wall of the tank rail 3 by a bolt 44 that
is screwed in diagonally upwards.
A positioning rib 40n that has a cut out hole 40m that
opens to the inside is formed in the rear side neighboring
section E1 of the upper half section 40b. The cut out hole


40m of the positioning rib 40n is fitted via an elastic bush
47 to a positioning pin 46 fixed to the outer side wall of the
tank rail 3, thereby regulating the movement of the front cover
40 in the upward-downward direction, the front-back direction,
and the inward vehicle width direction. As a result of
adopting this structure, the front cover 40 is attached to the
tank rail 3 and the radiator 30 with a large degree of space
being left with respect to the tank rail 3 in both the up-down
direction and the forward-backward direction.
According to the present embodiment, the front cover 4 0
adepts a structure including: the front side neighboring
section C1 that is adjacent to the front side outer side
sections 3b of the left and the right tank rails 3, 3; the rear
side neighboring section E1 that is adjacent to the rear side
outer side section 3c; and the overhanging surface A1 that
protrudes outwards in the vehicle width direction with respect
to the front side outer side sections 3b of the tank rails 3.
Accordingly, at the same time as providing a frame shape in
which the head pipe neighboring section of the tank rails 3
becomes narrower, the body cover 40 can be given a shape that
is solid and 3-dimensional. In addition, the head pipe
neighboring section of the tank rails 3 coveys a greater
impression of being large, and thereby has an external
appearance that creates an impression of robustness and
strength.


In the structure, the overhanging surface A1 forms the
front-rear direction continuous surface that extends forward
continuously from the front side neighboring section E1. As
a result, the continuous surface relatively overhangs to the
outside in the vehicle width direction as compared to the front
side outer side sections 3b of the tank rails 3, thereby
providing the front cover 40 with a shape that has an external
appearance that is solid and 3-dimensional without being
complicated.
In the present embodiment, the vehicle width direction
continuous surface C extends continuously in a curved shape
toward the inside from the upper edge of the overhanging surface
A1. As a result, the continuous surface C fills the space
between the overhanging surfaces Al and the tank rails 3,
thereby further enhancing the impression of solidness created
by the front cover 40.
The front side neighboring section C1 formed in the
vehicle width direction continuous surface C is fixed to the
cover bracket 45 of the tank rails 3 by the bolt 44 screwed
in from above. Accordingly, the attachment operation of the
front cover 40 is simple, and the bolt 44 is positioned such
that it is not conspicuous when the vehicle is viewed from the
side.
In the present embodiment, the vehicle width direction
continuous surface C positioned at the upper front side edge


of the front cover 40 is positioned to the rear and downward
from the headlight 15. As a result, the headlight 15 is exposed
to the outer side, and the area around the headlight 15 has
an external appearance that is clean and uncluttered.
Further, the front end section G of the front cover
extends to the position at which it overlaps with the section
of the front fork 7, including the lower end section of the
head pipe 2. Accordingly, the amount of traveling wind
introduced to the radiator 30 can be increased and cooling
efficiency can be improved.
In the present embodiment, the front cover 40 has a
structure including the plurality of continuous surfaces A -
F that have boundaries formed by the edge lines al - a5 and
that have different angles with respect thereto . Accordingly,
the rigidity of the front cover 40 can be raised, and the front
cover 40 has an external appearance that is impressive and that
creates an impression of solidness.
In the present embodiment, the notch 48 that generally
has a V-shape is formed in the trough shaped continuous surface
B positioned to the rear of the edge line al, and the outer
side wall of the tank rails 3 is exposed by the notch 48.
Accordingly, the external appearance of the area around the
front cover 4 0 can be enhanced still further.
In addition, in the present embodiment, the upper
inclined edge B2 of the trough shaped continuous surface B


overlaps with the lower edge section of the tank rails 3.
Accordingly, there is no gap between the tank rail 3 and the
front cover 40, and the external appearance is enhanced with
respect to this point as well.
Note that, in the description of the present embodiment,
the left and the right front covers 40 introduce traveling wind
to the radiator 30. However, the front cover of the invention
may of course be applied to a structure in which traveling wind,
is introduced to an air-cooled engine.


WE CLAIM
1. Motorcycle comprising a head pipe (2), a pair of left and right tank rails (3) that
extends from the head pipe (2) in a vehicle rear direction providing a frame

shape, in which a head pipe neighboring sections of the tank rails (3) becomes
narrower in a vehicle width direction as the head pipe neighboring sections of
the tank rails (3) extend towards the head pipe side, an engine (20) which is
mounted beneath the tank rails (3) and a left and a right front cover (40) that are
provided on a vehicle outer side of the left and right tank rails (3), respectively,
wherein each of said front covers (40) has generally a sideways V-shape when
viewed from the side, forming a notch (48) through which an outer side wall of
the respective tank rail (3) is exposed and is formed from a lower half section
that extends continuously downwards from an upper half section of the front
cover,
each of said front covers (40) including a front side neighboring section (C1) that
is adjacent to a front side outer side section (3b) of the respective tank rail (3), a
rear side neighboring section (E1) that is adjacent to a rear side outer side
section (3c) of the respective tank rail (3), and an overhanging surface (A1) that
protrudes outwards in the vehicle width direction with respect to said front side
outer side section (3b) of the respective tank rail (3), wherein the front side
neighboring section (C1) and the rear side neighboring section (E1) of each of
said front covers (40) are both positioned in the vicinity of an upper edge of the
respective tank rails (3) so that the upper half section (40A) of each of said front
covers (40) covers the outer side wall of the respective tank rails (3),
characterized in that
as the left and the right tank rails (3) extend from a rear side thereof to a front
side thereof, their dimension in the upward-downward direction gradually
becomes larger, and the lower half section of each of said front covers (40) covers
the gap between the respective tank rails (3) and a cylinder head cover of the
engine.


2. Motorcycle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tank rails (3) are formed such that
a vehicle width direction space between outer side sections thereof becomes
narrower in the vicinity of the head pipe (2), the vehicle width direction space
becoming narrower as the outer side sections extend toward the head pipe side.
3. Motorcycle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the front side neighboring section
(C1) is disposed such that it is adjacent to the front side outer side section (3b)
of the respective tank rail (3) that is close to the head pipe (2).
4. Motorcycle as claimed in one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the rear side
neighboring section (E1) is disposed at a position that is further to the rear in a
vehicle front-rear direction and further to an outer side in the vehicle width
direction than the front side neighboring section (C1) such that the rear side
neighboring section (E1) is adjacent to the rear side outer side section (3c) of the
respective tank rail (3) that is farther from the head pipe (2) than the front side
outer side section (3b) of the respective tank rail (3).
5. Motorcycle as claimed in one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the overhanging
surface (A1), when seen in a plan view, is continuous with the front side
neighboring section (C1), and is disposed at a position to the side of the front
side outer side section (3b) of the respective tank rail (3) such that the
overhanging surface (A1) protrudes outwards in the vehicle width direction from
the front side outer side section (3b) of the respective tank rail (3),


6. Motorcycle as claimed in one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein the overhanging
surface (A1) forms a front-rear direction continuous surface that extends forward
continuously from the rear side neighboring section (E1) in the vehicle front-rear
direction.
7. Motorcycle as claimed in one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein a vehicle width
direction continuous surface (C) that continues from an upper edge of the
overhanging surface (A1), the vehicle width direction continuous surface (C)
extending towards the front side outer side section (3b) of the respective tank rail
(3) and extending in a curved shape with a predetermined angle toward an inside
in the vehicle width direction.
8. Motorcycle as claimed in claim 7, wherein an attachment section for attaching
each of said front covers (40) to the respective tank rails (3) is formed in the
vehicle width direction continuous surface (C).
9. Motorcycle as claimed in one of the claims 1 to 8, wherein an upper edge section
of each front cover (40) is disposed, when the vehicle is viewed from the side, to
the rear in the vehicle front-rear direction or beneath a headlight (15) disposed to
a front side of the head pipe (2) such that the headlight (15) is exposed to the
side.
10. Motorcycle as claimed in claim 9, wherein a front edge section (G) of each
of said front covers (40) extends to a position that overlaps with at least a section
of the head pipe (2), when the vehicle is viewed from the side.


11. Motorcycle as claimed in claim 9, wherein a front edge section (G) of each
of said front covers (40) extends to a position that overlaps with at least a section
of a front fork (7) that is supported by the head pipe (2), when the vehicle is
viewed from the side.
12. Motorcycle as claimed in one of the claims 1 to 11, wherein an outer side
surface of each front cover (40) has a plurality of continuous surface (A-F) that
have boundaries formed by edge lines (a1-a5) and that have different angles with
respect to the edge lines.
13. Motorcycle as claimed in one of the claims 1 to 12, wherein each of said
the front covers (40) is disposed to cover a respective side of the vehicle such
that the inside cannot be seen between the engine (20) and the respective tank
rails (3,3).
14. Motorcycle as claimed in claim 11, wherein an upward-downward
direction dimension (h1) of a front end section of the tank rails (3,3) is et to be
substantially the same as an axial direction dimension (h2) of the head pipe (2).
15. Motorcycle as claimed in claim 11, wherein each of said front covers (40)
has a lower inclined edge (B1) that extends diagonally forwards and downwards
from an upper edge rear end of the rear side neighboring section (E1), and an
upper inclined edge (B2) that extends diagonally rearward and downward from a
front end of the lower inclined edge (B1), and an outer side surfaces of the
respective tank rail (3) is exposed to the side between said upper inclined edge
(B2) and said lower inclined edge (B1).


16. Motorcycle as claimed in claim 15, wherein the upper inclined edge (B2)
overlaps with the respective tank rail (3) when the vehicle is viewed from the
side.


The present invention relates to a motorcycle comprising a head pipe (2), a pair
of left and right tank rails (3) that extends from the head pipe (2) in a vehicle
rear direction providing a frame shape, in which a head pipe neighboring
section of the tank rails (3) becomes narrower in a vehicle width direction, an
engine (20) which is mounted beneath the tank rails (3) and a left and a right
front cover (40) that are provided on a vehicle outer side of the left and right
tank rails (3), respectively, wherein said front cover (40) has generally a
sideways V-shape when viewed from the side, forming a notch (48) through
which an outer side wall of the tank rails (3) is exposed and is formed from a
lower half section that extends continuously downwards from the upper half
section of the front cover and each of said front covers (40) including a front
side neighboring section (C1) that is adjacent to said front side outer side
section (3b) of the respective tank rail (3), a rear side neighboring section (E1)
that is adjacent to said rear side outer side section (3c) of the respective tank
rail (3), and an overhanging surface (A1) that protrudes outwards in the vehicle
width direction with respect to said front side outer side section (3b) of the tank
rail (3), wherein the front side neighboring section (C1) and the rear side
neighboring section (E1) of the front cover (40) are both positioned in the
vicinity of an upper edge of the tank rails (3) so that an upper half section (40A)
of the front cover (40) covers the outer side wall of the respective tank rails (3),
The said left and the right tank rails (3) extend from a rear side thereof to a
front side thereof, their dimension in the upward-downward direction gradually
becomes larger, and the lower half section of said front cover (40) covers the
gap between the tank rails (3) and a cylinder head cover of the engine.

Documents:

01202-kol-2006 abstract.pdf

01202-kol-2006 claims.pdf

01202-kol-2006 correspondence others.pdf

01202-kol-2006 correspondence-1.4.pdf

01202-kol-2006 description(complete).pdf

01202-kol-2006 drawings.pdf

01202-kol-2006 form-1.pdf

01202-kol-2006 form-18.pdf

01202-kol-2006 form-2.pdf

01202-kol-2006 form-3.pdf

01202-kol-2006 form-5.pdf

01202-kol-2006-correspondence_1.1.pdf

01202-kol-2006-correspondence_1.2.pdf

01202-kol-2006-correspondence_1.3.pdf

01202-kol-2006-priority document others.pdf

01202-kol-2006-priority document.pdf

1202-KOL-2006-ABSTRACT.pdf

1202-kol-2006-amanded claims-1.1.pdf

1202-KOL-2006-AMANDED CLAIMS.pdf

1202-KOL-2006-CANCELLED PAGES.pdf

1202-KOL-2006-CORRESPONDENCE 1.2.pdf

1202-kol-2006-correspondence-1.3.pdf

1202-KOL-2006-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

1202-kol-2006-correspondence1.1.pdf

1202-kol-2006-description (complete)-1.1.pdf

1202-KOL-2006-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

1202-kol-2006-drawings-1.1.pdf

1202-KOL-2006-DRAWINGS.pdf

1202-kol-2006-examination report.pdf

1202-kol-2006-form 1-1.1.pdf

1202-KOL-2006-FORM 1.pdf

1202-kol-2006-form 18.pdf

1202-kol-2006-form 2-1.1.pdf

1202-KOL-2006-FORM 2.pdf

1202-kol-2006-form 3.1.pdf

1202-KOL-2006-FORM 3.pdf

1202-kol-2006-form 5.pdf

1202-KOL-2006-FORM-27.pdf

1202-kol-2006-gpa.pdf

1202-kol-2006-granted-abstract.pdf

1202-kol-2006-granted-claims.pdf

1202-kol-2006-granted-description (complete).pdf

1202-kol-2006-granted-drawings.pdf

1202-kol-2006-granted-form 1.pdf

1202-kol-2006-granted-form 2.pdf

1202-kol-2006-granted-specification.pdf

1202-KOL-2006-INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT.pdf

1202-kol-2006-others-1.1.pdf

1202-kol-2006-others.pdf

1202-KOL-2006-PA.pdf

1202-kol-2006-petition under rulr 137.pdf

1202-kol-2006-priority document.pdf

1202-KOL-2006-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

1202-kol-2006-reply to examination report1.1.pdf

abstract-01202-kol-2006.jpg


Patent Number 248903
Indian Patent Application Number 1202/KOL/2006
PG Journal Number 36/2011
Publication Date 09-Sep-2011
Grant Date 07-Sep-2011
Date of Filing 10-Nov-2006
Name of Patentee YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Applicant Address 2500, SHINGAI, IWATA-SHI, SHIZUOKA 439-8501 JAPAN
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 HIDENORI SATAKE C/O YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA 2500, SHINGAI, IWATA-SHI, SHIZUOKA 439-8501 JAPAN
PCT International Classification Number B60K11/04,B62J17/02,
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 2005-328521 2005-11-14 Japan