Patent ID: 6578541
Filing Date: 2003-06-17
Classification: F01M,F02B

Abstract:
An internal combustion engine for a motorcycle, the engine comprising:a crankshaft having an axis of rotation; a web coupled to the crankshaft for rotation with the crankshaft, the web having an outer surface that defines a substantially circular pathway as the web rotates with the crankshaft; a crankcase housing the crankshaft and having a curved wall portion spaced from the pathway and contoured to partially surround the pathway; an oil channel having an oil channel inlet, the oil channel having a longitudinal axis that is substantially tangential to an adjacent portion of the pathway such that oil thrown by the web as the web rotates is directed into the oil channel inlet, the oil channel inlet being located on the curved wall portion; a balancing shaft in the crankcase and having an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the crankshaft; a balancing web on the balancing shaft, the balancing web having an outer surface that defines a second substantially circular pathway as the balancing web rotates with the balancing shaft; and a second curved wall portion in the crankcase spaced from the second pathway and contoured to partially surround the second pathway, the second curved wall portion partially defining a second oil channel with a second oil channel inlet, the second oil channel having a longitudinal axis that is substantially tangential to an adjacent portion of the second pathway such that oil thrown by the balancing we is directed into the second oil channel inlet as the balancing web rotates.