WO2018015898A1

WO2018015898A1 - A motorcycle

Info

Publication number: WO2018015898A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/054364
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sri Giri Raghavendra RAM KRISHNAN; Pramoth KUMAR DAMODARAN; Anandkumar Maluvadu Sundaraman
Original assignee: Tvs Motor Company Limited
Priority date: 2016-07-22
Filing date: 2017-07-19
Publication date: 2018-01-25

Abstract

The present subject matter described herein relates to a motorcycle. The present subject matter particularly relates to an intake system of said motorcycle. The intake system as described includes an air cleaner and a throttle body (52) connected to one other through a connecting tube (51a) for supplying filtered air to a cylinder head (25a) of the engine through an intake passage (53). The throttle body (52) is disposed ahead of a downwardly extending portion (13b) of a main frame member of the motorcycle. Further, the throttle body (52) is operatively connected to a canister (60) through a purge port (54), the opening of which is directed towards a side in which at least a portion of the canister (60) including a purge control valve (61) is contained for enabling convenient detachment of said canister (60).

Description

A MOTORCYCLE

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present subject matter described herein generally relates to a motorcycle and particularly relates to an intake system layout of said motorcycle. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] Typically, a conventional motorcycle has an intake system including an air cleaner and a throttle body located behind an internal combustion engine of said motorcycle. Particularly, the throttle body is located below a main frame and a fuel tank of said motorcycle, and serves to supply regulated amount of filtered air supplied by the air cleaner to a cylinder head of the engine. Thus, a portion of the throttle body is connected to the air cleaner through a connecting tube. Particularly, the throttle body supplies regulated amount of air based on throttle input received via a throttle cable. Besides the air cleaner, in certain circumstances the throttle body is also connected to a canister through a purge port to receive fuel vapors trapped by the canister. Thus, many hoses and wires typically crisscross around the throttle body.

[0003] Moreover, in fuel injection type intake systems one or more fuel injectors are also provided to inject fuel either into an intake passage of the intake system or directly into the cylinder head of the engine. Typically, the one or more fuel injectors are located in the vicinity of the throttle body and receive fuel input from a fuel pump located in the proximity of the fuel tank. Further, the one or more fuel injectors are also connected to an electronic control unit, and based on the information processed by said control unit; the one or more fuel injectors inject the most appropriate amount of fuel either into the intake passage or into the cylinder head of the engine. Presence of the one or more fuel injectors in the vicinity of the throttle body also increase the complexity of layout around the throttle body. [0004] Accordingly, the flexibility of layout around the throttle body is limited. Particularly, there is a need to ensure arrangement of the throttle body in a manner so that the canister can be easily disassembled for periodic servicing or replacement, without having to disassemble any other parts either of the intake system or that of the fuel system. Moreover, there is also a need to ensure that there is minimal crisscrossing of hoses and wires around the throttle body, to improve the overall flexibility of layout around the throttle body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0005] The detailed description of the present subject matter is described with reference to the accompanying figures. Same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.

[0006] Figure 1 illustrates a left side view of a motorcycle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0007] Figure 2 illustrates a left side view of the motorcycle including parts of an intake system of the motorcycle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 3 illustrates a right side view of the motorcycle depicting arrangement of a canister in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 4 illustrates an enlarged right side view depicting arrangement of a throttle body in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[00010] Figure 5 illustrates a bottom view of a portion of the intake system and a portion of fuel supply system as viewed from an area below said main frame member of the motorcycle. [00011] Figure 6 illustrates a bottom view depicting arrangement of the throttle body with respect to a canister and a fuel pump of the motorcycle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[00012] Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of the throttle body in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00013] The present invention has been devised in view of the above stated problems, and it is intended to provide a motorcycle including a throttle body and a canister arranged to be disposed on opposite sides of a main frame member of said motorcycle.

[00014] Accordingly, there is provided a motorcycle including a main frame member extending rearwards and downwards from a head pipe, an engine supported to at least a portion of said main frame member and disposed below said main frame member, and a fuel tank disposed over said main frame member. Whereas in one embodiment, the fuel tank is operatively connected to a canister, in another embodiment the fuel tank is operatively connected to a fuel pump and the canister. In fuel injection type motorcycle, the fuel tank is operatively connected to the canister as well as the fuel pump. Further, the motorcycle includes an intake system comprising a throttle body and an air cleaner disposed behind the engine, the air cleaner being connected to the throttle body by a connecting tube. In an embodiment, where the canister is located off set with respect to at least a portion of said main frame member and below at least a portion of said main frame member, and the throttle body is arranged below said main frame member; the canister and the throttle body are disposed on either sides of a center line of said main frame member extending in a motorcycle longitudinal direction. Particularly, as per an aspect of the present invention, the throttle body is disposed in a manner so that at least a portion of the throttle body lies opposite to the canister with respect to said main frame member when viewed from a motorcycle bottom side. More particularly, the throttle body is disposed in a manner such that a purge port provided in the throttle body faces/opens towards a side in which the canister is disposed. In other words, an opening of said purge port is directed towards at least a portion of the canister. Thus, the orientation of the throttle body as per an aspect of the present invention is such that the purge port is located in close proximity to at least a portion of the canister. In the present embodiment, a purge hose is provided to connect said purge port to at least a portion of the canister. Further, in an embodiment where the fuel pump is provided, the canister and the fuel pump are disposed on either sides of a center line of said main frame member, extending in a motorcycle longitudinal direction, with the throttle body lying between the canister and the fuel pump. [00015] As per another aspect of the present invention and in an embodiment where the fuel pump is provided, the throttle body is located on same side as the fuel pump with respect to said main frame member when viewed from the motorcycle bottom side. In other words, as per the invention, the canister lies on the side opposite to a side in which a substantial portion of the throttle body and the fuel pump are located with respect to said main frame member when viewed from the motorcycle bottom side. Thus, the present layout of the throttle body with respect to the canister and the fuel pump aids in ensuring that the canister is located away from hoses emerging from the fuel pump towards the throttle body. For example, a fuel hose connecting the fuel pump to a fuel injector inlet port located in the throttle body is routed without interfering with the purge hose connecting the purge port in the throttle body to the canister. Moreover, since the canister is located away from the fuel pump, wiring emerging from an electronic control unit towards the fuel pump and the throttle body can be routed without interfering with the purge hose connecting the throttle body to the canister. Thus, as per the present invention, the canister can be easily dismantled by disconnecting the purge hose from the purge port directly facing the canister, without having to encounter any other hoses or wires.

[00016] As per one more aspect of the present invention, the throttle body is disposed in a manner so that a central axis of the throttle body is inclined with respect to said main frame member of the motorcycle. Thus, in an embodiment where only the canister is provided, a substantial portion of the throttle body remains inclined with respect to at least a portion of the canister, and in another embodiment where both the canister and the fuel pump are provided, a substantial portion of the throttle body remains inclined with respect to at least a portion of the canister and with respect to at least a portion of the fuel pump.

[00017] Summary provided above explains the basic features of the invention and does not limit the scope of the invention. The nature and further characteristic features of the present invention will be made clearer from the following descriptions made with reference to the accompanying drawings. [00018] Exemplary embodiments detailing features of the intake system and its arrangement, in accordance with the present invention will be described hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings. Various aspects of different embodiments of the present invention will become discernible from the following description set out hereunder. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Further, it is to be noted that terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "front", "forward", "rearward", "downward", "upward", "top", "bottom" and like terms are used herein based on the illustrated state or in a standing state of the motorcycle with a driver sitting thereon unless otherwise elaborated. Furthermore, a longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to said motorcycle, defining a motorcycle longitudinal direction; while a lateral axis refers to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to said motorcycle, defining a motorcycle lateral direction. Also, it is to be understood that the -phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[00019] Arrows provided in the top right corner of each figure depicts direction with respect to the motorcycle, wherein an arrow F denotes front direction, an arrow R indicated R direction, an arrow Up denotes upward direction, an arrow Dw denoted downward direction, an arrow Rh denotes right side, an arrow Lh denoted left side, as and where applicable. [00020] With reference to Fig. 1, a description is made of an entire schematic structure of a motorcycle (10). The motorcycle (10) includes a body frame (11) to support different parts of said motorcycle (10). A head pipe (12) is provided at a front end of the body frame (11). The head pipe (12) supports a steering shaft (not shown) rotatably in a certain range. In an upper portion of the head pipe (12), a handlebar (20) is rotatably integrally connected to the steering shaft. The handlebar (20) is used to steer the motorcycle (10) and is connected to a front wheel (21) through a front fork assembly (23). The front fork assembly (23) in turn is connected to said handlebar (20) by means of a pair of upper and lower brackets (not shown). The front fork assembly (23) is further supported partially on a front fender (22) and is connected to the front wheel (21). An upper portion of the front wheel (21) is covered by the front fender (22) which prevents mud and water from getting deflected towards an upper portion of the front fork assembly (23).

[00021] In a front portion of the body frame (11) a fuel tank (24) is arranged immediately behind the handlebar (20) and is disposed over a main frame member (13) (shown in FIG.2) of said body frame and above an engine (25). In an embodiment where a fuel pump is provided, the fuel tank (24) constituting a part of a fuel supply system supplies fuel to an internal combustion engine, hereinafter 'engine' (25) through the fuel pump (70) (shown in FIG.4) which also forms a part of said supply system. In another embodiment where the fuel pump is absent, the fuel tank (24) supplies fuel to the engine (25) through a carburetor (not shown).

[00022] A seat (30) is placed behind the fuel tank (24). The seat (30) includes a front rider portion and rear pillion portion. Whereas in one embodiment, said front rider portion and said rear pillion portion are provided as separate seat portion, in another embodiment, said front rider portion and said rear pillion portion are provided as a single seat portion.

[00023] For safety of the rider and in conformance with the traffic rules, a headlamp unit (31) and a turn signal lamp unit (32) is provided in a front portion of the motorcycle (10). The headlamp unit (31) and the turn signal lamp unit (32) are housed in a headlamp housing assembly (33).

[00024] Suspension systems are provided for comfortable steering of the motorcycle (10) on the road. The front fork assembly (23), which forms the front suspension system, serves as rigidity component just like the body frame (11). The front fork assembly (23) clamped to the head pipe (12) through an upper bracket (not shown) and a lower bracket (not shown) is capable of being moved to the left and right. Further, a rear suspension system, which is a hydraulic damped arrangement, is connected to the body frame (11) at a rear portion thereof. Particularly, at the rear portion of the body frame (11), a rear wheel (35) is suspended by the rear suspension system.

[00025] The engine (25) is mounted to a front lower portion of the body frame (11) by means of a front engine mounting bracket (27) (shown in FIG.2). The engine (25) is equipped with an exhaust system that includes an exhaust pipe (not shown) connected to the engine (25) and a muffler (not shown) connected to the exhaust pipe. The muffler (not shown) extends rearwards along the right side of the rear wheel (35).

[00026] Power from the engine (25) is transmitted to the rear wheel (35) through a transmission assembly (26), so as to drive and rotate the rear wheel (35). Particularly, speed change is achieved by operation of a gear shift linkage assembly (40) which is operatively connected to a gear shift shaft (not shown) of said transmission assembly (26).

[00027] Thus, power from the engine (25) is transmitted to the rear wheel (35) rotatably supported at a rear end of a swing arm (45). A rear fender (47) for covering an upper side of the rear wheel (35) is mounted to a rear portion of body frame (11) to prevent mud and water splashed by the rotating rear wheel (35) from entering the muffler, the engine (25) and other parts disposed close by. The transmission assembly (26) includes a gearbox containing gear train and a drive mechanism connecting the gearbox to the rear wheel (35). Particularly, the gear train includes the gear shift shaft, and a plurality of gears, each having a varying gear ratio. [00028] To enhance the overall aesthetics of the motorcycle (10) and to prevent undesired foreign particles from entering parts of the motorcycle, a plurality of rear covers (48) is attached to a rear portion of the body frame (11).

[00029] FIG.2 and FIG.3 illustrate a detailed view of the motorcycle (10) including parts of an intake system (50) of the motorcycle (10) and that of the fuel supply system. As may be seen, the intake system (50) of the motorcycle, including an air cleaner (51) and a throttle body (52) is disposed behind the engine (25). Particularly, while the throttle body (52) is disposed below a rearwardly extending portion (13a) and ahead of a downwardly extending portion (13b) of said main frame member (13), the air cleaner (51) is disposed behind a downwardly extending portion (13b) of said main frame member (13); said main frame member (13) extending rewards and downwards from the head pipe (12). The fuel tank (24) (shown in FIG.3) which forms a part of the fuel supply system is supported over the rearwardly extending portion (13a) of said main frame member (13), and covers said rearwardly extending portion (13a) of said main frame member from the top. The fuel tank (24) in turn supports a canister (60) by means of a mounting bracket (not shown). The canister (60) adsorbs fuel vapors evaporating from the fuel tank (24) and purges the adsorbed fuel vapors into the throttle body (52). The canister (60) thus supported to said fuel tank (24) is off set with respect to the rearwardly extending portion (13a) of said main frame (13) and is disposed in a plane lying substantially above a plane in which the throttle body (52) is contained when viewed from a motorcycle side view. The throttle body (52) is disposed below the rearwardly extending portion of said main frame member (13) and behind a cylinder head (25a) of the engine (25); a front portion of the engine (25) being supported by the front engine mounting bracket (27) mounted to a down frame (14) extending downwards and rearwards from the head pipe (12). Further, the air cleaner (51) supported by one rear frame of a pair of rear frame members (15) extending rearwardly from a portion of said main frame member (13) is disposed behind the dowanwardly extending portion (13b) of said main frame member (13). [00030] The air cleaner (51) serves to supply filtered air to the throttle body (52) through a connecting tube (51a). A filter element (not shown) disposed inside the air cleaner (51) filters air entering through a dirty side of said air cleaner (51). Further, filtered air passes through a clean side of said air cleaner (51) into the connecting tube (51a) and through the connecting tube (51a) into the throttle body (52). The throttle body (52) serves to supply regulated amount of filtered air into the cylinder head (25a) of the engine (25). Particularly, regulation of air supply through the throttle body (52) into the cylinder head (25a) is controlled by the throttle body (52) based on throttle input received from a throttle cable. Particularly, the throttle body (52) supplies regulated amount of filtered air into an intake passage (53) (shown in FIG. 4 & 5), and through the intake passage (53) into the cylinder head (25a), said intake passage (53) being connected to the cylinder head (25a).

[00031] As per an aspect of the present invention, and as may be seen in FIG.4, the throttle body (52) also communicates with the canister (60) which adsorbs fuel vapors generated in the fuel tank (24). In the present implementation, the fuel vapors purging from the canister (60) which is secured to an inner portion (24a) of the fuel tank (24) and disposed on one side of the fuel tank (24) is directed into the intake passage (53) (also shown in FIG.5) through the throttle body (52). Particularly, the throttle body (52) includes a purge port (54) (shown in FIG.5) for communication with a purge control valve (61) of the canister (60), and a purge hose (55) is provided to connect said purge port (54) to the purge control valve (61). However, in another embodiment where the purge control valve (61) is absent, said purge hose (55) is directly connected to a portion of the canister (60).

[00032] A negative pressure created in the throttle body (52) enables effective purging of fuel vapors into the intake passage (53). Particularly, connecting the throttle body (52) to the purge control valve (61) ensures that there is regulated purging of fuel vapours into the throttle body (52), and through the throttle body (52) into the intake passage (53). In one embodiment, the canister (60) is operatively connected to the throttle body (52) through said purge hose (55). [00033] For effective purging of fuel vapors into throttle body and for convenient routing of said purge hose (55), orientation and location of the throttle body (52) with respect to the canister (60) is vital. For example, with respect to FIG.5 and FIG.6 the orientation and location of the throttle body with respect to the canister is elaborated. [00034] As per an embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in FIG.5 & FIG.6, the canister (60) being supported by means of a mounting bracket (not shown) to the inner portion (24a) of the fuel tank (24) is disposed on one side X of said main frame member (13), when viewed from a motorcycle bottom view. Thus, the canister (60) is off set with respect to the rearwardly extending portion (13a) of said main frame member (13). Particularly, as may be seen in FIG.5, while the canister (60) is located one side X of said main frame member (13), at least a portion of the throttle body (52) is located on the other side Y of said main frame member (13), especially with respect to a center line C of said main frame member (13) extending rearwards from the head pipe (12), said main frame member (13) being disposed along the center line C. Thus, when viewed from the motorcycle bottom side, the canister (60) is located on a side opposite to a side in which substantial portion of the throttle body (52) with respect to the center line C of said main frame member (13) is contained. Particularly, the throttle body (52) is disposed in a manner such that the purge port (54) provided in the throttle body (52) faces said one side X in which the canister (60) is disposed, with respect to the center line C of said main frame member (13). In other words, an opening of said purge port (54) faces towards the canister (60). Orientation of the throttle body (52) as per the present invention ensures that length of the purge hose (55) connecting the purge port (54) to the purge control valve (61) or to a portion of the canister (60) is the shortest. In another implementation, with the orientation of the throttle body (52) with respect to the canister (60) remaining same as explained above, one end of the purge hose (55) may be directly connected to the canister (60). Short length of the purge hose (55) enables easy dismantling of the canister (60). In the present embodiment, the canister (60) may be dismantled by firstly disconnecting the purge hose (55) from the purge port (54) followed by dismounting the canister (60) from the inner portion (24a) of the fuel tank (24). Thus, convenient serviceability and replacement of the canister (60) is facilitated. [00035] Further, in order to ensure that purge hose (55) does not crisscross other hoses including a fuel hose (71) emerging from a fuel pump (70) mounted in the proximity of the fuel tank (24), towards the throttle body (52); the fuel pump (70) is disposed on the other side Y with respect to the center line C of said main frame member (13), away from the canister (60). In other words, the fuel pump (70) is located on the same side as that of the side in which substantial portion of throttle body (52) with respect to the center line C of said main frame member (13) is contained when viewed from the motorcycle bottom side. In the present embodiment, the fuel pump (70) is mounted to a bottom portion of the fuel tank (24). However, in another embodiment, the fuel pump (70) may be mounted independently of the fuel tank (24) and in the vicinity of the fuel tank (24). Further, in the present embodiment, the fuel pump (70) is connected to a fuel injector inlet port (56) (shown in FIG.7), constituting a part of a fuel injector member and operatively connected thereto for supplying fuel into the cylinder head (25a). In one embodiment said fuel injector inlet port (56) injects fuel into the cylinder head through the throttle body (52). As maybe seen in FIG.7, the fuel injector inlet port (56) is provided in a plane lying substantially perpendicularly to a plane in which the purge port (54) is provided in the throttle body (52). Thus, the purge port (54) lies away from the fuel injector inlet port (56) in the throttle body (52). Therefore, when the throttle body (52) is oriented in a manner so that the purge port (54) faces/opens towards the canister (60), it is automatically ensured that the fuel injector inlet port (56) is oriented away from the canister (60). Thus, in the present embodiment and as may be seen in FIG.6, the fuel hose (71) emerging from the fuel pump (70) is routed to the fuel injector inlet port (56) from below a main body portion of the throttle body (52). Hence, it is ensured that the fuel hose (71) does not entangle with the purge hose (55) emerging from the throttle body (52) towards the canister (60). Moreover, since an ECU input port (57) (shown in FIG.7) in the throttle body (52) is also located in the plane lying away and perpendicularly to the plane in which the purge port (54) lies, it is ensured that wiring emerging from the electronic control unit towards the ECU input port (57) in the throttle body (52) does not entangle with the purge hose (55) connecting to the canister (60). Based on the input received from the ECU, fuel injector (58) injects required amount of fuel into the cylinder head (25a) through the intake passage (53).

[00036] Moreover, even in an embodiment where the fuel injector inlet port is located in the vicinity of the throttle body (52), say for example in the intake passage (53) for injecting fuel into the cylinder head (25a) through the intake passage (53), location of the fuel pump (70) on the opposite side of the canister (60) with respect to said main frame member (13) enables hassle free routing of the fuel hose (71) to said fuel injector inlet port (56). In one more embodiment, said fuel injector inlet port may be provided in the vicinity of the throttle body (52) for injecting fuel directly into the cylinder head (25a).

[00037] In an embodiment where a carburetor is provided, the carburetor is disposed on the same side as that of the side in which substantial portion of the throttle body is contained, and on an opposite side as that of the side in which the canister is disposed with respect to the center line of said main frame member so as to prevent crisscrossing of the fuel hose emerging from the carburetor towards the throttle body with the purge hose connecting the throttle body to the canister. Thus, the layout constraint of the carburetor with respect to the canister can also be prevented.

[00038] Further, as per an aspect of the present invention and as may be seen in FIG.6, the throttle body (52) is disposed in a manner so that a central axis A of the throttle body (52) is inclined with respect to center line C of said main frame member (13). Orientation of the throttle body (52), with the central axis A being inclined to the center line C of said main frame member (13) ensures that there is significant clearance of the connecting tube (51a) from said main frame member (13), thereby allowing to have a larger diameter for the connecting tube (51a) without interference with said main frame member (13), thereby ensuring effective passage of filtered air from the air cleaner (51) to the throttle body (52). Moreover, the clearance between the connecting tube (51a) and said main frame member (13) allows easy routing of other wires emerging from the ECU towards the throttle body (52) or the fuel pump (70). [00039] Thus, as is apparent from the above teaching, the location and arrangement of the throttle body with respect to the canister and the fuel pump aids in ensuring hassle free hose routing and wire routing around the throttle body, leading to flexibility of layout around the throttle body. Moreover, it is also ensured that the canister can be easily dismantled without involving disassembly of any other parts either of the intake system or the fuel system.

[00040] While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes in form, connection, and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims:

Claims

I/We claim:

1. A motorcycle (10) including: a main frame member (13) disposed along a center line (C) thereof and extending in a motorcycle longitudinal direction, a fuel tank (24) supported on said main frame (13), a canister (60) located off set with respect to a portion of said main frame (13) and operatively connected to said fuel tank (24), an engine (25) located below said main frame (13), and a throttle body (52) disposed behind a portion of said engine (25) and operatively connected to the canister (60); the canister (60) being located on one side (X) with respect to said main frame member (13), at least a portion of the throttle body (52) is located on other side (Y) with respect to said main frame member (13), as viewed from a motorcycle bottom side, with an opening of a purge port (54) in the throttle body (52) directed towards said one side (X) in which the canister (60) is located.

2. The motorcycle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the throttle body (52) is located on said other side (Y) to said one side (X) with respect to the center line (C) of said main frame member (13).

3. The motorcycle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said motorcycle (10) includes a fuel pump (70) operatively connected to the fuel tank (24), said fuel pump (70) being disposed on the other side (Y) with respect to the centre line (C) of said main frame member (13), and away from the canister (60).

4. The motorcycle (10) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 3, wherein said fuel pump (70) is disposed on the other side (Y) in which the throttle body (52) is disposed.

5. The motorcycle (10) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the throttle body (52) includes a central axis (A) oriented inclinedly with respect to the center line (C) of said main frame member (13).

6. The motorcycle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said purge port (54) is held in a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane containing a fuel injector inlet port (56) operatively connected to a fuel injector of said motorcycle (10).

7. The motorcycle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said purge port (54) is held in a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane containing an ECU input port (57) of the throttle body (52).

8. The motorcycle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the throttle body (52) is operatively connected to an air cleaner (51) disposed behind a downwardly extending portion (13b) of said main frame member (13).

9. The motorcycle (10) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the throttle body (52) is disposed below a rearwardly extending portion (13a) and ahead of the downwardly extending portion (13b) of said main frame member (13).

10. The motorcycle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the canister (60) is supported to an inner portion (24a) of the fuel tank (24).

1 1. The motorcycle (10) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 10, wherein the canister (60) is disposed in a plane lying substantially above a plane in which the throttle body (52) is disposed.

12. The motorcycle (10) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the throttle body (52) is operatively connected to at least a portion of the canister (60) through a purge hose (55) emerging from said purge port (54).

13. The motorcycle (10) as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the canister (60) includes a purge control valve (61).