Frame structure of motorcycle

• US 6,679,347 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2002
• Issued: 01/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Iimuro, Osamu
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris, Lesley D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LUM VANNUCCI, LEE SIN YEE
• Application Number:
  US10/141,972
• Publication Number:
  US 20020189878A1
• Time in Patent Office: 620 Days
• Field of Search: 180/218-220, 180/227, 180/228, 280/284-286, 280/281.1
• US Class Current: 180/219
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 11/04 characterised by the engine being between front and rear wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 19/12 having cast members

Abstract

A frame structure for a motorcycle in which the shape of the connecting tube may be determined so as to ensure a smooth flow of air therein. The prescribed portion of the left pivot plate faces towards the outer surface of the connecting tube by extending the pivot plates to the position above the rear end portions of the mainframes. In addition, a recess is provided for receiving the outer surface of the connecting tube on the prescribed portion by forming the pivot plates by casting or forging.

Claims

1. In a motorcycle wherein a pair of left and right mainframes extend from a head pipe to a rear portion of a vehicle body, a pivot plate is joined to rear ends of the mainframes, a rear swing arm extends from the pivot plate, an air cleaner is mounted above the rear swing arm, the air cleaner is connected to the carburetor via a connecting tube, and the carburetor is connected to an engine located below the mainframe, a frame structure of a motorcycle comprising:

the pivot plate is formed by casting;

the pivot plate extends to a position above the rear end portion of the mainframe so that a prescribed portion of the pivot plate faces an outer surface of the connecting tube;

a recess formed in the prescribed portion of the pivot plate, said recess is formed for accommodating the outer surface of the connecting tube; and

a rear shock absorber for supporting the rear swing arm, said rear shock absorber being mounted on the upper end portion of the pivot plate extending to a position above the mainframe.

2. The frame structure of a motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein the end face of the rear end portion of the mainframe is inclined in such a manner that the upper portion is positioned forward of the lower portion.

3. The frame structure of a motorcycle according to claim 2, wherein the rear end portion of the mainframe is positioned in the vicinity of the rear end portion of the carburetor.

4. The frame structure of a motorcycle according to claim 2, wherein the rear end portion of the mainframe is positioned forward of the rear end portion of the carburetor.

5. The frame structure of a motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein the rear end portion of the mainframe is positioned in the vicinity of the rear end portion of the carburetor.

6. The frame structure of a motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein the rear end portion of the mainframe is positioned forward of the rear end portion of the carburetor.

7. In a motorcycle wherein a pair of left and right mainframes extend from a head pipe to a rear portion of a vehicle body, a pivot plate is joined to rear ends of the mainframes, a rear swing arm extends from the pivot plate, an air cleaner is mounted above the rear swing arm, the air cleaner is connected to the carburetor via a connecting tube, and the carburetor is connected to an engine located below the mainframe, a frame structure of a motorcycle comprising:

the pivot plate is formed by forging;

the pivot plate extends to a position above the rear end portion of the mainframe wherein a prescribed portion of the pivot plate faces an outer surface of the connecting tube;

a recess formed in the prescribed portion of the pivot plate, said recess is formed for accommodating the outer surface of the connecting tube; and

a rear shock absorber for supporting the rear swing arm, said rear shock absorber being mounted on the upper end portion of the pivot plate extending to a position above the mainframe.

8. The frame structure of a motorcycle according to claim 7, wherein the end face of the rear end portion of the mainframe is inclined in such a manner that the upper portion is positioned forward of the lower portion.

9. The frame structure of a motorcycle according to claim 8, wherein the rear end portion of the mainframe is positioned in the vicinity of the rear end portion of the carburetor.

10. The frame structure of a motorcycle according to claim 8, wherein the rear end portion of the mainframe is positioned forward of the rear end portion of the carburetor.

11. The frame structure of a motorcycle according to claim 7, wherein the rear end portion of the mainframe is positioned in the vicinity of the rear end portion of the carburetor.

12. The frame structure of a motorcycle according to claim 7, wherein the rear end portion of the mainframe is positioned forward of the rear end portion of the carburetor.

13. A motorcycle frame comprising:

a headpipe;

a pair of left and right mainframes extending from the head pipe to a rear portion of the motorcycle frame;

a pivot plate joined to rear ends of the mainframes;

a rear swing arm extending from the pivot plate; and

an air cleaner mounted above the rear swing arm, said air cleaner being connected to a carburetor via a connecting tube;

said pivot plate extending to a position above the rear end portion of the mainframe so that a prescribed portion of the pivot plate faces an outer surface of the connecting tube;

a recess formed in the prescribed portion of the pivot plate, said recess is formed for accommodating the outer surface of the connecting tube.

14. The motorcycle frame according to claim 13, wherein the end face of the rear end portion of the mainframe is inclined in such a manner that the upper portion is positioned forward of the lower portion.

15. The motorcycle frame according to claim 14, wherein the rear end portion of the mainframe is positioned in the vicinity of the rear end portion of the carburetor.

16. The motorcycle frame according to claim 14, wherein the rear end portion of the mainframe is positioned forward of the rear end portion of the carburetor.

17. The motorcycle frame according to claim 13, wherein the rear end portion of the mainframe is positioned in the vicinity of the rear end portion of the carburetor.

18. The motorcycle frame according to claim 13, wherein the rear end portion of the mainframe is positioned forward of the rear end portion of the carburetor.