Muffler assembly and pseudo muffler assembly for a motorcycle, and motorcycle incorporating the same

• US 8,292,021 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2009
• Issued: 10/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Fukuyama, Kei, Kojima, Takamasa
• Primary Examiner(s): EBNER, KATY MEYER
• Application Number:
  US12/459,632
• Publication Number:
  US 20100000818A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,205 Days
• Field of Search: 180/309, 180/296, 180/219, 180/225, 180/89.11, 180/89.2, 296/37.1
• US Class Current: 180/309
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/3685 characterised by the mounting of the modulator unit onto the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 23/00 Other protectors specially adapted for cycles
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 11/04 characterised by the engine being between front and rear wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 19/46 Luggage carriers forming part of frame luggage carriers per se B62J7/00

Abstract

A motorcycle includes a muffler assembly including a muffler and a muffler cover arranged on one side of a rear wheel in a lateral direction. The motorcycle also includes a housing box resembling the muffler assembly and arranged substantially parallel to the muffler assembly on the other side of the rear wheel in the lateral direction. The housing box has a shape substantially similar to a shape of the muffler assembly, thereby forming a pseudo muffler assembly or replica muffler assembly.

Claims

1. A sport-type motorcycle, comprising a body frame;

a rear wheel operatively attached to the body frame;

a muffler assembly including a muffler and a muffler cover covering at least a laterally outer side portion of the muffler, said muffler assembly being arranged on one of a right side and a left side of the rear wheel in a lateral direction; and

a housing box, arranged on the other of the right side and the left side of the rear wheel, said housing box being operatively attached to a rear portion of said body frame;

wherein the housing box has a shape substantially similar to a shape of the muffler assembly thereby forming a pseudo muffler assembly, wherein said pseudo muffler assembly is oriented substantially parallel to the muffler assembly when viewed in plan;

wherein said housing box comprises;

a box body having an opening formed therein at an upper portion thereof, said opening being open from the upper and outer side portions of said box body, and a lid having a substantially L-shaped cross section, said lid being operable to close and open said opening of the box body, and being attached/detached in a vehicle-width direction for covering the box body;

wherein a shape of said lid is substantially similar to a shape of the muffler cover; and

wherein a color of said lid is substantially similar to a color of said muffler cover.

2. A motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein the muffler cover has a substantially L-shaped cross section;

and wherein the muffler cover covers an upper portion of the muffler and the laterally outer side portion thereof.

3. A motorcycle according to claim 2, further comprising a seat attached at a rear portion of the body frame;

and a pair of left and right rear side covers disposed below the seat;

wherein left and right lateral portions of the body frame are spaced from each other and are covered with said left and right rear side covers below the seat;

wherein the muffler assembly is arranged under one of said and right rear side covers; and

wherein the housing box is arranged under the other of said left and right rear side covers.

4. A motorcycle according to claim 2, further comprising an ABS modulator disposed in said housing box, wherein said ABS modulator is operable to execute antilock braking control during vehicle operation.

5. A motorcycle according to claim 1, further comprising a seat attached at a rear portion of the body frame;

and a pair of left and right rear side covers disposed below the seat;

wherein left and right lateral portions of the body frame are spaced from each other and are covered with said left and right rear side covers below the seat;

wherein the muffler assembly is arranged under one of said and right rear side covers; and

wherein the housing box is arranged under the other of said left and right rear side covers.

6. A motorcycle according to claim 1, further comprising an ABS modulator disposed in said housing box, wherein said ABS modulator is operable to execute antilock braking control during vehicle operation.

7. A motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein said muffler cover is attached to the muffler.

8. A motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein said muffler extends to a level above an upper portion of the rear wheel.

9. A sport-type motorcycle comprising a body frame;

a muffler assembly arranged on one of a right side and a left side of a rear wheel; and

a pseudo muffler assembly arranged on the other of said right side and said left side of the rear wheel;

wherein a shape and size of said pseudo muffler is substantially similar to a shape and size of said muffler assembly;

wherein said muffler assembly comprises a muffler; and

a muffler cover for covering at least a portion of the muffler;

wherein said pseudo muffler assembly comprises a housing box having an opening formed therein;

said housing box configured to receive an operating element of the motorcycle therein; and

a lid for covering the said opening of the housing box;

wherein said muffler assembly and said pseudo muffler assembly are arranged substantially symmetrically and are parallel in plan view to each other on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of the motorcycle; and

wherein a weight of said muffler assembly is substantially similar to a weight of said pseudo muffler assembly having said operating element disposed in the housing box, thereby achieving a substantially balanced weight at a rear portion of the motorcycle.

10. A motorcycle according to claim 9, wherein the muffler cover has a substantially L-shaped cross section;

and wherein the muffler cover covers the muffler from upper and laterally outer side portions thereof.

11. A motorcycle according to claim 9, wherein said muffler cover and said lid each have a substantially L-shaped cross section;

and wherein a color of said lid is substantially similar to a color of said muffler cover.

12. A motorcycle according to claim 9, wherein said operating element is an ABS modulator, which is operable to execute antilock braking control during operation of the motorcycle.

13. A motorcycle according to claim 9, further comprising a tandem seat situated above said longitudinal axis, said tandem seat arranged between said muffler assembly and said pseudo muffler assembly.

14. An off-road motorcycle comprising a body frame;

a rear wheel operatively attached to the body frame;

a seat arranged at a rear portion of the body frame and situated above a longitudinal axis of the body frame;

a muffler assembly arranged on one of a right side and a left side of the rear wheel; and

a pseudo muffler assembly arranged on the other of said right side and said left side of the rear wheel;

wherein a shape and size of said pseudo muffler is substantially similar to a shape and size of said muffler assembly;

wherein said muffler assembly comprises a muffler; and

a muffler cover covering at least a portion of the muffler;

wherein said pseudo muffler assembly comprises a housing box having an opening formed therein;

said housing box configured to receive an operating element of the motorcycle therein; and

a lid for covering the said opening of the housing box; and

wherein said muffler assembly and said pseudo muffler assembly are arranged substantially symmetrically and are parallel in plan view to each other on opposite sides of a longitudinal plane of the motorcycle; and

wherein a weight of said muffler assembly is substantially similar to a weight of said pseudo muffler assembly having said operating element disposed in the housing box, thereby achieving a substantially balanced weight at a rear portion of the motorcycle.

15. A motorcycle according to claim 14, wherein the muffler cover has a substantially L-shaped cross section;

and wherein the muffler cover covers the muffler from upper and laterally outer side portions thereof.

16. A motorcycle according to claim 14, wherein said muffler cover and said lid each have a substantially L-shaped cross section;

and wherein a color of said lid is substantially similar to a color of said muffler cover.

17. A motorcycle according to claim 14, wherein said operating element is an ABS modulator, which is operable to execute antilock braking control during operation of the motorcycle.