JPH05238453A - Front wheel support device for motorcycle - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a front wheel support device of a motorcycle capable of making a joint part of a joint member and an outer tube not conspicuous while thoroughly securing joint strength of the outer tube, favourably keeping outer appearance by way of improving a sense of togetherness of the joint member and a front fender and restraining air resistance small. CONSTITUTION:On upper parts of outer tubes 6, 7, reception parts 17, 18 positioned on the side of a front wheel 14 rather than its central line and overhung outside in the diametrical direction and with their overhung ends positioned outside to the right and to the left rather than both right and left side parts of a front fender 16 are provided, a thick part 20 of the front fender 16 is overlapped on the front surface of these reception parts 17, 18, and the thick part 20 is connected to the reception parts 17, 18 through bolts 24 at two points separated from each other lengthwise respectively. The width of this thick part in the lengthy direction is formed wider than an arrangement interval of the bolts, and it is constituted to connect a surface 20a of the thick part 20 and a surface 16a of the front fender 16 to each other on one surface.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a front wheel support device for a motorcycle, in which upper and lower pairs of left and right outer tubes forming a front fork are connected via a connecting member.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, "Actually developed model 55-13438" is used.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5 (1994) discloses a motorcycle in which a pair of left and right outer tubes forming a front fork are connected to each other by a stabilizer that straddles front wheels to enhance torsional rigidity of the front fork.

This conventional stabilizer is bolted to the outer tubes, and is designed to keep the parallel intervals of the outer tubes constant together with the axle installed between the lower ends of the outer tubes.

[0004]

By the way, the above-mentioned conventional front fork is provided with a pair of front and rear receiving portions where the left and right ends of the stabilizer are superposed on the upper end portion of the outer tube. And these receiving parts are located on the straight line of the front-back direction which passes along the center of the outer tube, or the outer side on the opposite side to a front wheel from this straight line.

According to this structure, the left and right ends of the stabilizer largely wrap around the front and rear sides of the outer tube, so that the connecting portion between the stabilizer and the receiving portion is easily visible from the outside of the front fork. It becomes a problem in various aspects.

Moreover, since the stabilizer is superposed on the upper surface of the front fender that covers the front wheel and projects from the upper surface of the front fender, a step which is convex upward is formed on the upper surface of the front fender. Therefore, while the motorcycle is traveling, there are problems that the flow of the traveling wind along the upper surface of the front fender is obstructed and an unpleasant wind noise is generated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to make the connecting portion between the connecting member and the outer tube inconspicuous while sufficiently securing the connecting strength of the outer tube. An object of the present invention is to provide a front wheel support device for a motorcycle, which enhances the sense of unity between the connecting member and the front fender, maintains a good appearance, and suppresses air resistance.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, an outer tube is slidably inserted in the lower portion of a pair of left and right inner tubes constituting a front fork, and these outer tubes are slidable in the axial direction. An axle supporting the front wheels is installed between the lower ends of the tubes, a front fender that covers the front wheels is attached between the upper parts of the outer tubes, and the front wheels are straddled between the upper ends of the outer tubes. In a motorcycle connected by a connecting member,

The outer tube is located above the outer tube, closer to the front wheel than the center line of the outer tube, and projects outwardly in the radial direction of the outer tube, and the projecting ends are located on both left and right sides of the front fender. A receiving portion located on the left and right outer sides is provided, and the left and right end portions of the connecting member are overlapped on the upper surface of the receiving portion,
The left and right end portions of the connecting member are connected to the receiving portion via bolts at two positions spaced apart from each other in the front and rear thereof, and the width dimension of the connecting member in the front-rear direction is determined by the arrangement interval of the bolts separated in the front and rear. It is characterized in that the surface of the connecting member and the surface of the front fender are flush and continuous with each other. [Action]

According to this structure, since the receiving portion of the outer tube for receiving the connecting member is displaced to the left and right outside of the left and right side portions of the front fender, when the front fender is arranged between the left and right outer tubes. , The receiving part does not get in the way. For this reason, the degree of freedom of the mounting position of the front fender with respect to the front wheels and the front forks is increased.

In addition, since the receiving portion is located closer to the front wheel side than the center line of the outer tube, the receiving portion and the bolt do not have to largely project to the outer side of the outer tube, and the receiving member and the receiving member can It is possible to compactly fit the connecting portion with the outer tube between the outer tubes. And
Since the width dimension of the connecting member in the front-rear direction is wider than the arrangement interval of the bolts lined up in the front-rear direction, the connecting member can be widely formed in the front-rear direction, and the connecting member becomes much stronger against twisting,
Sufficient connection strength of the outer tube can be secured.

Further, since the surface of the connecting member is flush with the surface of the front fender, the connecting portion of the connecting member is compact and the appearance is improved. At the same time, since there is no step on the front surface of the front hood that is convex upwards,
Airflow and wind noise can be suppressed to a low level without obstructing the flow of traveling wind along the surface of the front fender. [Embodiment] The present invention will be described based on an embodiment shown in the drawings.

FIG. 5 shows the front part of the motorcycle, 1 is a frame, 2 is a fuel tank, and 3 is an engine. In the head pipe 4 located at the front end of the frame 1,
The front fork 5 is rotatably supported. The front fork 5 includes a pair of left and right inner tubes 8 and 9.
And outer tubes 6 and 7 that are fitted in the lower portions of the inner tubes 8 and 9 so as to be slidable in the axial direction. The upper portions of the inner tubes 8 and 9 are connected to each other by an upper bracket 10 and an under bracket 11, and a steering shaft 12 installed between the brackets 10 and 11 is rotatable around the head pipe 4 in the axial direction. Supported by.

The front fork 5 is provided with a front wheel 1 via an axle 13 between the lower ends of the outer tubes 6, 7.
4 is pivotally supported, and is steered by a handle 15 attached to the upper bracket 10.

A front fender 16 for covering the front wheel 14 from above is attached between the upper ends of the outer tubes 6, 7. The mounting structure of the front fender 16 is shown in detail in FIGS.

That is, the outer tubes 6 and 7 are cast aluminum products, and the outer tubes 6 and 7 are provided at two positions spaced apart in the front-rear direction on the outer peripheral surfaces of the upper end portions on the opposite sides.
Receiving portions 17, 17 and 18, which project outward in the radial direction of the
18 is integrally formed. These receiving parts 17, 17
1, 18 and 18 are located closer to the front wheel 14 than the center line O1 of the outer tubes 6 and 7, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and each of the receiving portions 17, 17 and 18, 18
A vertical screw hole 19 is formed in the.

The front fender 16 is also an aluminum casting, and as shown in FIG. 4, the front fender 16 is formed in a thin shape whose basic cross section is substantially arcuate. As shown in FIG. 1, the portion of the front fender 16 located between the outer tubes 6 and 7 is formed thicker than the basic cross section. The thick portion 20 is projected to the rear surface side of the front fender 16 facing the front wheel 14, and the front surface 20a of the thick portion 20 has a front fender 16 as shown in FIG.
The surface 16a is continuous and flush with the surface 16a.

Further, the thick portion 20 extends in the left-right direction between the outer tubes 6, 7, and both left and right sides thereof are between the receiving portions 17, 17 and 18, 18 of the outer tubes 6, 7. Is located in. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the projecting ends of the receiving portions 17, 17 and 18, 18 are provided at positions shifted to the left and right outside of the left and right side portions of the thick portion 20 of the front fender 16, respectively. ing.

On both left and right side portions of the thick portion 20, mounting collar portions 21, 21 and 22, 22 are integrally formed at two locations separated from each other in the front-rear direction. The mounting brim portions 21, 21 and 22, 22 are formed to have a large wall thickness like the thick wall portion 20 and project to the left and right outer sides of the front fender 16. Overlaid on top of 17 and 18, 18.

Each mounting collar portion 21, 21 and 22, 2
A vertical bolt insertion hole 23, which is opposed to and coincides with the screw hole 19, is opened at the projecting end portion of 2. For example, hexagon socket head cap bolts 24 are inserted into the bolt insertion holes 23 from above. The insertion end of the bolt 24 is screwed into the screw hole 19, and the thick portion 20 of the front fender 16 is fixed to the receiving portions 17, 17 and 18, 18 by this screwing, and the left and right outer tubes 6, 6. The upper end portions of 7 are connected.

Therefore, in the case of this embodiment, the thick portion 20 also serves as a connecting member for connecting the upper end portions of the outer tubes 6 and 7, and this connecting member is integrated with the front fender 16. .. Then, as shown in FIG.
The width dimension L1 of the thick portion 20 in the front-rear direction is formed wider than the arrangement interval L2 of the bolt insertion holes 23 of the front and rear mounting flange portions 21, 21 and 22, 22. The bolt 24 that fixes the thick portion 20 to the outer tubes 6 and 7 is positioned within the front-rear width of the thick portion 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, the bolt insertion hole 23 of the thick wall portion 20 is in the shape of a long and narrow elongated hole in the left-right direction, and the bolt 2 is located between the bolt 24 and the bolt insertion hole 23.
A gap 25 is formed to allow the horizontal movement of 4 in the horizontal direction.

Further, the head opening 24a of the bolt 24 is formed in a large diameter in the upper opening of the bolt insertion hole 23 so that the head 24a has a large diameter when the bolt 24 is completely screwed. It is designed to be immersed in the portion 26.

According to this structure, the outer tubes 6, 7 to which the thick portion 20 of the front fender 16 is connected.
The receiving portions 17, 17 and 18, 18 of the
Since the front fender 16 is disposed between the left and right outer tubes 6 and 7, the front fender 16 is located outside the left and right sides of the outer tube 0.
It is possible to avoid interference with the thick portion 20 without the obstacles 18 and 18 being an obstacle. Therefore, the degree of freedom of the mounting position of the front fender 16 with respect to the front wheels 14 and the front forks 5 is increased.

Moreover, the receiving portions 17, 17 and 18, 1
8 is the front wheel 1 with respect to the center line O1 of the outer tubes 6 and 7.
Since the receiving portions 17, 17 and 18, 18 and the bolts 24 screwed into the receiving portions 17, 17 and 18, 18 are not biased to the outside of the outer tubes 6, 7, they are located so as to be biased toward the fourth side. For this reason, the connecting portion between the thick portion 20 and the receiving portions 17, 17 and 18, 18 is housed compactly between the outer tubes 6, 7 and is less noticeable from the outside.

The width dimension L1 of the thick portion 20 in the front-rear direction
Is formed wider than the arrangement interval L2 of the bolt insertion holes 23 of the mounting flange portions 21, 21 and 22, 22. Therefore, the thick portion 20 and the receiving portions 17, 17 and 18, 18
Despite the compactness of the connecting part with the thick part 20
Becomes stronger against twisting, the connecting strength of the outer tubes 6, 7 is sufficiently secured, and the torsional rigidity of the front fork 5 can be enhanced.

Since the surface 20a of the thick portion 20 is flush with the surface 16a of the front fender 16, the surface 16a of the front fender 16 does not have a step which is convex upward. The sense of unity between the thick portion 20 and the front fender 16 can be enhanced. Therefore, the thick portion 20 and the receiving portions 17, 17 and 18, 18
In addition to the fact that the connecting portion with and fits compactly between the outer tubes 6 and 7, the appearance around the mounting portion of the front fender 16 is improved.

At the same time, since the surface 16a of the front fender 16 becomes smooth, the flow of the traveling wind along the surface 16a of the front fender 16 is not obstructed while the motorcycle is traveling, and the air resistance and the wind noise are not disturbed. Can be kept small.

[0029]

According to the present invention described in detail above, when the front fender is arranged between the left and right outer tubes,
Since the interference between the receiving portion and the connecting member can be avoided, the degree of freedom of the mounting position of the front fender with respect to the front wheel and the front fork is increased.

Moreover, since the receiving portion and the bolts screwed into the receiving portion do not have to largely project outward of the outer tube, the connecting portion between the connecting member and the receiving portion fits compactly between the outer tubes, and It will be difficult for people to stand out.
Further, since the width dimension of the connecting member in the front-rear direction is sufficient, the connecting member itself becomes strong against torsion, and the connecting strength of the outer tube can be further enhanced.

Further, since the surfaces of the connecting member and the front fender are flush with each other, the feeling of unity between them is emphasized, and as described above, the connecting portion between the connecting member and the receiving portion fits compactly between the outer tubes. In addition, the appearance around the mounting portion of the front fender is improved. At the same time, since the surface of the front fender becomes smooth, the flow of traveling wind along the surface of the front fender is not obstructed while the motorcycle is traveling, and air resistance and wind noise can be suppressed to a low level.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing, in a partial cross section, a mounting portion of a front fender according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a mounting portion of a front fender.

4A is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG.
(B) is sectional drawing which follows CC line of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a side view around the front of the motorcycle.

[Explanation of symbols]

5 ... Front fork, 6, 7 ... Outer tube,
8, 9 ... Inner tube, 13 ... Axle,
14 ... front wheel, 16 ... front fender, 16
a, 20a ... surface, 17, 18 ... receiving part, 20 ...
Connection member (thick part), 24 ... Bolt.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An outer tube is slidably fitted in the lower part of a pair of left and right inner tubes constituting a front fork, and an axle for supporting a front wheel is installed between the lower ends of these outer tubes. In a motorcycle in which a front fender that covers the front wheel is attached between the upper portions of the outer tubes, and the upper end portions of the outer tubes are connected by a connecting member that straddles the front wheels, the upper portion of the outer tube is A receiving portion that is located on the front wheel side of the center line of the outer tube and projects toward the outer side in the radial direction of the outer tube, and that the projecting ends are located on the left and right outside of the left and right side parts of the front fender. And the left and right ends of the connecting member are overlapped on the upper surface of the receiving portion, and Both end portions are connected to the receiving portion via bolts at two locations spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction, and the width dimension of the connecting member along the front-rear direction is formed wider than the arrangement interval of the front-rear spaced bolts. A front wheel support device for a motorcycle, wherein the surface of the connecting member and the surface of the front fender are continuously flush with each other.