Motorcycle fairing

A fairing unit (21) for enclosing a front portion of a vehicle body includes a fairing body (22) and a front edge member (23) mounted removably on the fairing body and forming a major component of a front edge of the fairing unit. The front edge member is made up of left and right front edge pieces (23a, 23b). A fairing assembly (43) includes the fairing unit and turn signal lamps (44A, 44B) mounted on the fairing body at a location rearwardly of the front edge member so as to protrude in a direction laterally outwardly thereof. The turn signal lamp is supported for collapsible movement in a direction laterally inwardly.

CROSS REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims Convention priority to Japanese patent application No. 2010-206603, filed Sep. 15, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference as a part of this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fairing assembly for covering a front portion of a motorcycle.

2. Description of Related Art

The front fairing employed in most of the motorcycles currently in use is generally made of a synthetic resin and molded to varying shapes. For example, two-component type made up of left and right fairing segments and three-component type made of up left, center and right fairing segments are made available in recent years. Particularly where the fairing is desired to fit around a top portion of the front fork assembly, and be yet extended down to under the motorcycle engine, the three component type is largely employed, which is made up the a center fairing segment, designed as an upper fairing segment so as to enclose the instrument panel and the headlight unit, and left and right fairing segments designed to enclose generally opposite regions leftwardly and rightwardly of the front fork assembly and of the motorcycle engine.

The JP Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2005-153664 discloses a motorcycle fairing having ventilating windows, defined in respective side portions thereof generally rearwardly of the motorcycle radiator with respect to the direction of forward travel of the motorcycle, and left and right flappers for selectively opening or closing the ventilating windows in dependence with the wind pressure present inwardly of the fairing. According to the above mentioned patent publication, when the motorcycle is driven at high speed under severe heat condition, the flappers are moved to the open position to allow heats, evolving from the radiator, to be discharged from under a lower portion of the motorcycle and through the ventilating windows to thereby facilitate heat release from the radiator.

The motorcycle fairing is apt to get stained with mud, dirt and/or fugitive dust sloshed by the motorcycle front wheel during the travel of the motorcycle and/or to get tainted with small stones or any other particulate matters that are flipped by the revolving front wheel. Particularly when the fairing gets locally damaged with the paint coating locally stripped in contact with small stones, the appealing appearance of the motorcycle fairing comes to be spoiled. As a result, the damaged fairing is replaced with a new one requiring a substantial amount of cost.

In addition, the conventional motorcycle fairing of the three component type has left and right side fairing segments each having a smooth, streamlined outer surface (a surface facing outwardly of the fairing with respect to the motorcycle body) ranging from a front edge to a rear edge thereof. The wind incoming to the motorcycle, while the latter is travelling, impinges upon such outer surface of the respective side fairing segment and then flows along such outer surface in a direction rearwardly of the motorcycle and, therefore, a relatively large frictional resistance is developed between the incoming wind and the outer surface of the respective fairing segment.

On the other hand, since the motorcycle fairing disclosed in the above mentioned patent publication has built therein the ventilating system comprised of a combination of the ventilating windows and the flappers for selectively opening or closing the respective fairing windows so that heat evolved inwardly of the fairing can be released away from the motorcycle, the fairing as a whole requires a complicated structure and is indeed costly.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, the present invention has been devised with a view to providing a vehicle fairing unit of a kind, in which only one or more portions of the fairing stained or otherwise impaired during the travel of the vehicle can be replaced easily and, also, in which the appearance of the fairing unit can be changed according to the desire of a motorcycle rider or driver.

In order to accomplish the foregoing object of the present invention, there is provided a fairing unit for a motorcycle, which includes a fairing body and a front edge member removably mounted on the fairing body and forming a principal component of a front edge of the fairing unit. It is to be noted that the passage “principal component of a front edge of the fairing unit” means a portion which occupies more than a half of the front edge of the fairing unit.

According to this construction, the front edge portion of the fairing unit, which is susceptible to impairment or otherwise damage, is formed by the front edge member that is removably mounted on the fairing body. Accordingly, while the fairing body is left untouched, only the front edge member that is impaired or otherwise damaged can be washed, repaired or otherwise replaced with a new one to allow the fairing unit to resume the original appearance and, therefore, the cost of repair can be reduced. Also, if, for example, the front edge member is colored in a color different from that of the fairing body and is then combined with the fairing body, the fairing unit having an appealing appearance that suits to the driver's liking can be obtained. In addition, if the front edge member is painted in a color deep as compared with the color of the fairing body, for example, black, any stain present can be rendered unnoticeable.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the front edge member may include left and right front edge pieces positioned on respective sides of the fairing unit. By so doing, if one of the left and right side edge pieces is impaired or otherwise damaged, it is sufficient to wash, repair or replace such one of the left and right side edge pieces and, therefore, the replacement of component parts, for example, can be minimized to reduce the cost which would be incurred in repairing.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the front edge member may extend down to a lower edge of the fairing unit. The lower edge portion of the fairing unit is particularly susceptible to impairment or damage caused by collision of small stones flipped by the motorcycle front wheel during the travel of the motorcycle and, therefore, the front edge member extending down to the lower edge of the fairing unit is effective to prevent the fairing body form being impaired or damaged and, hence, the cost incurred in to repair such as, for example, the necessity of replacing the impaired or damaged fairing body with a new one can be minimized to thereby reduce the repair cost.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the front edge member may made of a resin containing a coloring agent and the fairing body has an outer side surface painted to form a paint coating thereon. If the front edge member is made of the resin containing the coloring agent it can be manufactured inexpensively with the necessity of the painting process eliminated. Also, since even when small stones or any other particulate matters collide against the front edge member to damage the latter, the base color after molding remains as it stands, a painted surface will not fall off enough to expose the base surface to the outside such as occurring where the painting has been applied to the front edge member, and, accordingly, the appealing appearance will not be reduced considerably. On the other hand, while the fairing body is finished to have an outer surface that improves the appealing feature as a result of the fairing body having been painted, the impairment or damage tends to occur mainly in the front edge member and, therefore, a condition at the time of painting can be maintained. In view of this, the fairing unit above described is effective to suppress an undesirable reduction in the appealing feature during the prolonged period of use.

In a yet further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the front edge member may have an outer surface which has a rear edge displaced outwardly from a front portion of an outer surface of the fairing body. If the rear portion of the outer surface of the front edge member is so displaced as described above, an inwardly oriented step is formed between the rear edge of the outer surface of the front edge member and a front portion of the outer surface of the fairing body and, therefore, the incoming wind then flowing along the outer surface of the front edge member is detached from the fairing body in the presence of the step. As a result, not only can the frictional resistance developed between the incoming air and the fairing body be advantageously reduced, but also the possibility can be eliminated in which dust, for example, may deposit on the fairing body to spoil the latter or the fairing body may be damaged as a result of collision of the small stones.

In a yet further preferred embodiment of the present invention, a discharge port for discharging an air inside the front edge member therethrough to the atmosphere in proximity to a radiator may be defined between a rear edge portion of the front edge member and a front edge portion of the fairing body. The presence of the discharge port is effective to discharge therethrough the air, then heated as a result of heat exchange taking place in the radiator, smoothly to the atmosphere while securing a simplified structure.

According to the one aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a fairing assembly for the motorcycle, which includes a fairing unit described above, and a turn signal lamp fitted to the fairing body at a location rearwardly of the front edge member in the fairing body so as to protrude outwardly from the fairing body in a direction widthwise of the vehicle body, the turn signal lamp being supported for collapsible movement in a direction inwardly in the widthwise direction of the vehicle body.

Considering that the front edge member is generally smaller in size and lower in physical strength than the fairing body and often replaced if desired, it is difficult to fit the turn signal lamp to the front edge member. Accordingly, the turn signal member is to be fitted to the fairing body at a rear side rather than the front edge member. In this case, if such turn signal lamp is fitted flush in surface with the fairing body, it would be difficult to satisfy the statutory requirement concerning the angle of distribution of light emitted in a direction forwardly inwardly of the motorcycle. In contrast thereto, according to such one aspect of the present invention, where the turn signal lamp is fitted in the arrangement protruding laterally outwardly of the fairing body, the turn signal lamp can satisfy the above statutory requirement of light distribution. On the other hand, the turn signal lamp so protruding tends to receive a large external force in the event that the fairing body contacts a fixture such as, for example, a ground as a result of toppling of the motorcycle down to the ground. But in that event, the turn signal lamp is collapsed laterally inwardly of the motorcycle, when it receives the external force, to thereby absorb the external force, thus avoiding the possible impairment or damage.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention according to the one aspect thereof, the turn signal lamp may be collapsible to a position flush with an outer side surface of the fairing body in the widthwise direction or to a position further inwardly of the first mentioned position. This is particularly advantageous that impairment of or damage to the turn signal lamp then receiving the large external force can be further effectively avoided.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention according to the one aspect thereof, the turn signal lamp may be supported not to displace in a direction other than the widthwise direction of the vehicle body and prevented from moving in a direction inwardly of the widthwise direction of the vehicle body upon application of an external force lower than a predetermined allowable external force, but movable in the direction inwardly of the widthwise direction of the vehicle body upon application of the external force not lower than the predetermined allowable external force. According to this construction, under the normal condition the turn signal lamp can be prevented from displacing undesirably and can be held at a desirable position.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention according to the one aspect thereof, the fairing body may have a support piece by which a to-be-supported member integral or rigid with the turn signal lamp is supported, in which case the to-be-supported member is arranged at a location displaced from a radiator for dissipating from an engine cooling water in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. This is particularly advantageous that when the turn signal lamp collapses in a direction laterally inwardly, an undesirable collision of the turn signal lamp against the radiator of a relatively large width and the fixture can be avoided.

In a yet further preferred embodiment of the present invention according to the one aspect thereof, the turn signal lamp may be supported by the fairing body through an elastic member by means of a support element, in which case the elastic member is so set as to move in a direction inwardly of a widthwise direction of the vehicle body relative to the support element to thereby allow the turn signal lamp to retract in the direction inwardly of the widthwise direction, when an external force not lower than a predetermined allowable external force acts on the turn signal lamp. This structural feature is effective to allow the turn signal lamp to be smoothly collapsed in a direction laterally inwardly of the motorcycle by the effect of an elastic deformation taking place in the elastic member.

In a yet further preferred embodiment of the present invention, particularly where the turn signal lamp is supported by the fairing body through the elastic member by means of the support element, the support element referred to above may include a fastening member fastened to a boss of the fairing body, in which case the elastic member has an insertion hole defined at a center portion thereof and the turn signal lamp is supported by the fairing body with the fastening member passed through the insertion hole and with a head of the fastening member urging the elastic member against the boss. According to this structural feature, since the elastic member having the insertion hole defined at a center portion thereof, into which the fastening member is passed, is urged towards the boss by the head of the fastening member fastened to the boss of the fairing member, under the normal condition the turn signal lamp is stably held at a predetermined mounting position.

In a yet further preferred embodiment of the present invention, particularly where the turn signal lamp is supported by the fairing body through the elastic member by means of the support element, the turn signal lamp may have a support hole and the elastic member may be of a substantially cylindrical configuration having its outer periphery formed with an engagement groove in which an inner peripheral edge of the support hole in the turn signal lamp is engageable, in which case the head of the fastening member is smaller than the inner diameter of the support hole and greater than the inner diameter of the insertion hole in the elastic member. Under the normal condition, the elastic member is urged toward the boss of the fairing body by the head of the fastening member having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the insertion hole in the elastic member, and, at this time, the turn signal lamp is supported stably by the fairing body by means of the fastening member through the elastic member with an inner peripheral edge around the support hole engaged in the engagement groove in the outer periphery of the elastic member.

As described above, the inner peripheral edge around the support hole in the turn signal lamp is engaged in the engagement groove in the elastic member as described above, and accordingly, in the event that the turn signal lamp is acted upon by the external force in a direction laterally inwardly of the motorcycle, the elastic member is urged through the inner peripheral edge portion around the support hole in response to the external force so acting on the turn signal lamp to thereby undergo an elastic deformation. If the external so applied to the turn signal lamp is higher than an external force permissible to the elastic member, the elastic member of the cylindrical configuration undergoes the elastic deformation to get away from the head of the fastening member and, in dependence thereon, the turn signal lamp is detached from the head of the fastening member because of the support hole having a diameter greater than the outer diameter of the head of the fastening member. As a result, an undesirable impairment of or damage to the turn signal lamp can be avoided.

In a yet further preferred embodiment of the present invention, particularly where the turn signal lamp is supported by the fairing body through the elastic member by means of the support element, the turn signal lamp may have a flange defined at plural portions thereof, in which case the turn signal lamp is fitted to the fairing body by means of the support member that is inserted in each of the flanges. Since the turn signal lamp is fitted to the fairing body with the support element inserted in the flange defined at a plural portions thereof, the turn signal lamp can be stably held at the predetermined position under the normal condition.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fairing assembly for a motorcycle, which includes a fairing unit for enclosing a front portion of a vehicle body; and a turn signal lamp fitted to the fairing unit so as to protrude from the fairing unit in a direction laterally outwardly of the vehicle body. This turn signal lamp is supported for collapsible movement in a direction inwardly of the width of the vehicle body. Even in the case of employing the fairing which does not make use of the front edge member, when the turn signal lamp is provided in an arrangement protruding in a direction laterally outwardly from the fairing, the fairing body may contact a fixture such as, for example, a ground as a result of, for example, toppling of the motorcycle down to the ground and the turn signal lamp may then receive a large external force. At that time, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the turn signal lamp can, upon receipt of such an external force, collapse in a direction laterally inwardly of the motorcycle to thereby absorb the external force and, therefore, an undesirable impairment or damage can be avoided.

It is to be noted that the present invention should be understood as encompassing any combination of at least two of constructions set forth in the claims and/or the specification and/or the accompanying drawings. In particular, the present invention should be construed as encompassing any combination of two or more of the elements set forth in the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring toFIG. 1which shows a schematic side view of a motorcycle having mounted thereon a motorcycle fairing unit designed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the illustrated motorcycle includes a motorcycle frame structure FR made up of a front frame section, including a main frame1, and a rear frame section including a rear frame2coupled with a rear portion of the main frame1. The main frame1has a head block4mounted on a front end portion of thereof, and a steering shaft (not shown) is rotatably supported by the head block4. A front fork6having a front wheel8rotatably carried by and at a lower end thereof is rotatably supported the head block4through the steering shaft. A motorcycle steering handlebar7is mounted on an upper end of the front fork6for angular movement together with the front fork6.

A swingarm bracket10is positioned in a lower intermediate portion of the motorcycle frame structure FR and secured to a lower end portion of the main frame1, and a swingarm11having a rear drive wheel13rotatably supported at and by a rear end thereof is pivotally connected at a front end thereof with the swingarm bracket10through a pivot pin12for movement up and down about such pivot pin12. A motorcycle combustion engine E is mounted on the lower intermediate portion of the motorcycle frame structure FR and positioned forwardly of the swingarm bracket10with respect to the direction of travel of the motorcycle. As a matter of course, the combustion engine E is used to drive the rear drive wheel13through a drive transmission element such as, for example, a propeller shaft or a substantially endless chain or belt16. For the combustion engine E, a water cooled, four cycle combustion engine may be employed. Exhaust gases emitted from the combustion engine E in any known manner are discharged into an exhaust system including an exhaust pipe14, extending downwardly and rearwardly from the combustion engine E, by way of an exhaust chamber15, which is positioned below the combustion engine E and are finally discharged to the atmosphere through a muffler18positioned in the rear section of the vehicle body and fluid coupled with the exhaust chamber15.

A fuel tank19containing an amount of fuel therein is mounted on the motorcycle frame structure FR at a location above the main frame1and a motorcycle rider's seat assembly20is mounted on an upper portion of the rear frame2at a location rearwardly of the fuel tank19. A motorcycle radiator41for liberating heats evolved in a coolant water used to cool the combustion engine E is fixedly supported by the main frame1at a location generally between the front wheel8and the combustion engine E.

The fairing unit, generally identified by21, for enclosing a front portion of the body of the motorcycle for the purpose well known to those skilled in the art and motorcycle fans is mounted in part on the upper end of the front fork6so as to enclose a region ranging from the upper end portion of the front fork6down to laterally of the combustion engine E, with its lower portion terminating at a location sufficient to enclose a bottom portion of the combustion engine E and a portion of the exhaust tube14from sideways.

The fairing unit21referred to above includes a fairing body22supported by the main frame1and front edge members23removably mounted on a front edge portion of the fairing body22and forming a major component at the front edge of the fairing unit21. The fairing body22is made up of left and right side fairing segments22aand22band a center fairing segment22cpositioned above the left and right side fairing segments22aand22b. A windshield screen24is mounted atop the center fairing segment22c. The term “left and right” similarly used hereinabove and hereinafter is to be understood as relative term description of positions and/or direction as viewed from a motorcycle rider occupying the seat during the forward travel of the motorcycle.

As best shown inFIG. 2, the front edge members23are made up of elongated, left and right front edge pieces23aand23bpositioned leftwards and rightwards of the fairing unit21, respectively. Those elongated, left and right front edge pieces23aand23bare mounted on the fairing body22so as to enclose the entire front edges of the left and right side fairing segments22aand22band opposite side portions which form respective parts of a front edge of the center fairing segment22a. The left and right front edge pieces23aand23bso mounted on the fairing body22are independently removable relative to the fairing body22.

Each of the front edge pieces23aand23bforming the respective front edge members23is, as best shown inFIG. 1, positioned at a front end of a portion of the fairing body22located at least in a rear region S rearwardly of the front wheel8. Accordingly, the front edge members23have respective top ends thereof held at a level substantially in flush with or slightly below the level of the top of the front wheel8. Also, each of the front edge members23has a portion thereof positioned forwardly of the radiator41and a major portion positioned rearwardly of the front wheel8. In other words, each of the front edge members23is disposed between the fairing body22and the front wheel8. A laterally outer surface of each of the front edge members23in a direction widthwise of the motorcycle body best shown inFIG. 2extends rearwardly downwardly from a front end portion (top portion) thereof to rear end (a lower end) portion thereof with a generally intermediate portion thereof bulged laterally outwardly.

The front edge members23and the fairing body22are made of respective materials different from each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the front edge members23are made of polypropylene whereas the fairing body22is made of an ABS resin (a copolymer of acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene). The use of the different materials for the front edge members23and the fairing body22allows the front edge members23to be manufactured with a use of a less costly material particularly where one or both of the front edge members23are regarded as less vulnerable or as an expandable component that can be disposed of upon replacement with a new one.

The center fairing segment22cintervening substantially between the left and right side fairing segments22aand22bhave respective headlights25A and25B mounted thereon, and a portion of this center fairing segment22cintermediate between the left and right headlights25A and25B has an air intake26defined therein for allowing a portion of the incoming wind to be used as an air to be mixed with a fuel for combustion within the combustion engine E.

As best shown inFIG. 3, each of the front edge pieces23aand23bof the front edge members23is so shaped as to have a lengthwise intermediate portion thereof substantially bent to represent a generally V-shaped configuration, with its lengthwise intermediate portion opening forward and located laterally outwardly of the motorcycle body. Specifically, each of the front edge pieces23aand23bhas a lower end extended down to a lower edge of the fairing unit21and is provided with a fin27that extends rearwardly from the lower end thereof. It is noted thatFIGS. 4 and 5illustrate only one of the front edge pieces, for example, the right front edge piece23bfor the purpose of convenience as the left and right front edge pieces23aand23bare of an identical structure. As best shown inFIG. 4illustrating a right side of the right front edge piece23bas a representative, a rear edge28of the right front edge piece23bis offset outwardly relative to a front portion29of an outer surface of the adjacent side fairing segment22bso as to define a corresponding step37between the respective rear edge28and the front portion29of the outer surface of the adjacent side fairing segment22aand22b. The details of the step37in each of the left and right front edge members23will be described later.

As explained above,FIG. 5illustrates the right front edge pieces23b. The left front edge piece23ais of the identical, but symmetrical structure with the right front edge piece23b.

The right front edge piece23bin its entirety is of an elongated strip-like shape having its inner surface side formed with a plurality of, for example, three, front edge bosses30each having a threaded hole30adefined therein for receiving a corresponding tapping screw as will be described later. The fin27secured to the lower end of the front edge piece23bhas its inner surface side formed with at least one front edge boss31similarly having a threaded hole31adefined therein for receiving a tapping screw as will be described later. A portion of the front edge piece23bexcept for an upper portion thereof has its rear edge formed with a bent piece32extending inwardly at right angles thereto. In the other hand, the front edge piece23bhas a front edge formed integrally with a front edge guide33that is curved inwardly. It is noted that the shape of the front edge guide33will be described later.

Other than the fin27referred to above, the front edge piece23bhas a lower end portion formed with a coupling segment34of a generally V-shaped configuration opening in a direction rearwardly of the vehicle body. This coupling segment34is made up of an upper plate and a lower plate connected at angles relative to each other; the upper plate defining a first guide member34afor guiding the incoming wind in a direction diagonally upwardly, and the lower plate defining a second guide member34bfor guiding the incoming wind in a direction diagonally downwardly. Those first and second guide members34aand34bhave respective insertion holes36and36defined therein for receiving corresponding fastening elements50, which may include bolts and nuts, that are used to connect respective lower end portions of the right front edge piece23band the left front edge piece23atogether.

The first guide member34a, which is a portion susceptible to collision with small stones during the travel of the motorcycle, is formed in the front edge member23and is therefore readily removable together with the front edge member23from the fairing body22. Accordingly, if the first guide member34ais stained or otherwise impaired as a result of collision with small stones and is thence desired to be replaced, the front edge member23including the first guide member34acan be easily replaced with a new one. Also, the lower end portion of the front edge member23has a longitudinal dimension greater than that of a vertically intermediate portion thereof by a quantity corresponding to a breadth occupied by the respective fin27and, therefore, the lower end portion of the front edge member23, which is held in relatively close vicinity of the road surface and is therefore susceptible to stains, can be easily replaced with a new one or washed so that the relevant front edge member23can regain an appealing condition if it be replaced with a new one or the stained lower portion is washed or otherwise repaired.

Referring now toFIG. 6, when the three front edge bosses30formed in the right front edge piece23bof the front edge member23are aligned with respective body bosses35that are formed in corresponding portions of the right side fairing segment22band respective tapping screws38are subsequently threaded into the threaded holes30ain the associated bosses30through insertion holes35adefined in the body bosses35, the right front edge piece23bof the front edge member23is connected with the right side fairing segment22b. An upper portion of the front edge piece23bis merely engaged into a recess51, defined in a side portion of the front edge of the center fairing segment22cas best shown inFIG. 3to thereby connect it with the center fairing segment22c. The left front edge piece23aof the front edge member23is also coupled with the left side fairing segment22aand the center fairing segment22cin a manner similar to that described above in connection with the right front edge piece23b.

It will readily be understood that the fairing unit21is of such a design that when the tapping screws38are unfastened, the front edge member23can be removed from the fairing body22and a fresh front edge member23, which superseded the removed front edge member23, can be secured to the fairing body22with the tapping screws38again fastened.

It is to be noted that the fairing unit21referred to above may be mounted on the motorcycle frame structure FR so as to enclose the front portion of the motorcycle in a condition with the left and right edge pieces23aand23bremovably fitted to the fairing body22. Alternatively, the left and right front edge pieces23aand23bmay be removably mounted on the fairing body22then mounted on the motorcycle frame structure FR.

As shown inFIG. 7, the front edge member23has a rear end formed integrally with the bent piece32so as to extend therefrom in a direction perpendicularly inwardly and, on the other hand, the fairing body22has a front end formed integrally with a counter bent piece39so as to extend therefrom in a direction perpendicularly outwardly, with the bent piece32of the front edge member23positioned so as to extend parallel to the counter bent piece39of the fairing body22. A rear edge of an outer surface of the front edge member23adjacent the bent piece32thereof is placed having been displaced from the front portion29of an outer surface of the fairing body22adjacent the counter bent piece39thereof in a direction outwardly thereof. In other words, the step37of a height, indicted by H, as measured in a direction leftwards and rightwards is defined in a space delimited between the rear edge of the outer surface of the front edge member23and the front portion29of the outer surface of the fairing body22. Accordingly, the incoming wind A flowing along the outer surface of the front edge member23can be detached from the fairing body22in the presence of the step37so as not to flow along the outer surface of the front portion29of the fairing body22and, therefore, the frictional resistance of the incoming wind A relative to the fairing body22can be reduced. Also, the presence of the step37is effective to suppress an undesirable deposit of dusts and/or dirt on the outer surface of the fairing body22, which would leads to the fairing body22being stained or otherwise spoiled, and also a collision of small stones or any other particulate matter against the fairing body22.

In order to secure the various advantages afforded by the present invention as hereinabove described, the height H of the step37is preferably within the range of 10 to 25 mm and, more preferably, within the range of 15 to 20 mm. Also, the width of the front edge member23as measured in a direction forwards and rearwards, as indicated by W inFIG. 1, is, if set to a value within the range of 100 to 200 mm, desirable to effectively avoid disfeature, deterioration or fracture of the fairing body22.

The front edge guide33of the front edge member23shown inFIG. 7is so formed as to represent a shape bent at a portion adjacent a front end thereof to extend in a direction diagonally inwardly of the front edge member23, terminating at a location adjacent a front end of an inner fairing member40with a gap defined between it and the inner fairing member40. The inner fairing member40referred to above has opposite longitudinal ends fitted to the front edge guide33of the front edge member23and the radiator41by means of a suitable fitting section. The front edge guide33so shaped and so positioned as hereinabove described serves to efficiently guide the incoming wind A, then flowing from forwardly of the motorcycle, in a direction inwardly to allow it to smoothly flow into the radiator41through the inner fairing member40.

FIG. 8illustrates a horizontal section of the right side fairing segment22band the right front edge piece23bin the vicinity of the radiator41. At a portion of the fairing body22generally in level with the top of the radiator41, the fairing body22is formed with a substantially slot shaped discharge port42defined between the rear edge portion of the front edge member23and the front edge portion of the fairing body22by depleting a portion of the bent piece39. This discharge port42is used to smoothly discharge the incoming wind A1, which has been heated as a result of the heat exchange taking place in the radiator41and is likely to stagnate laterally of the radiator41, and the heated incoming wind A1having been discharged from the discharge port42is in turn discharged to the atmosphere through the gap delimited between a tip of the bent piece32of the front edge member23and the outer surface of the fairing body22. Thus, with the heated air present around the radiator41discharged to the atmosphere, an undesirable increase of the temperature in the radiator41can be suppressed.

As hereinabove described, according to the foregoing embodiment, the front edge portion of the fairing unit21, which is mainly apt to be damaged or otherwise fractured, is formed in the front edge member23, which is a separate member from the fairing body22, and is removably mounted on the fairing body22. Accordingly, when the front edge member23is damaged or fractured, only the front edge member23may be washed, repaired or replaced with a new front edge member, while leaving the fairing body22untouched, to recover an appearance of the motorcycle. Also, if the front edge member23, which is a member separate from the fairing body22, is combined with the fairing body22of a color different from that of the front edge member23, and vice versa, the fairing unit21of an appearance that suit to the rider's liking can be obtained. Yet, if the front edge member23is colored in a deep color such as, for example, black, such an advantage can be obtained that a smudge, if appearing on the front edge member23, would not become noticeable.

The fairing unit21of the structure described above is such that the front edge members23, which are members separate from the fairing body22, are mounted on the fairing body22and, therefore, development of a model, which can meet the customer's needs, can be efficiently carried out merely by changing only the front edge member23, if various front edge members23of different shapes as shown by the double dotted lines inFIG. 7are mounted on the same fairing body22and a series of experiment on the frictional resistance of the incoming wind are carried out.

Also, as shown inFIG. 2, the front edge members23includes the left and right front edge pieces23aand23bthat are separate from each other and positioned on the opposite side portions of the fairing unit21. Accordingly, in the event that only one of the left and right front edge pieces23aand23bis impaired or otherwise damaged, it is sufficient that such one of the front edge pieces23aand23bbe washed, repaired or replaced and, hence, replacement of component parts can be minimized to allow the cost incurred in repair to be reduced.

In addition, as clearly shown inFIG. 3, the front edge members23extend down to the lower edge of the fairing unit21. While respective lower end portions at the front edge of the fairing unit21are apt to be fractured or otherwise damaged as a result of collision with small stones flipped by the front wheel8, extension of the front edge members23down to the lower edge of the fairing unit21allows most of the fractures or damages to occur in the front edge members23, leaving the lower portion of the fairing body22free from such fractures or damages. Accordingly, replacement of component parts of the fairing unit21can be minimized to allow the cost incurred in repair to be reduced.

In the embodiment now under discussion, each of the front edge members23is made of a resinous material such as, for example, polypropylene, added with a coloring agent, by the use of any known molding technique and is then, i.e., after the manufacture thereof, subjected to a texturing process or an etching process to provide a satin finished surface having a multiplicity of minute surface irregularities. Accordingly, the respective front edge member23so manufactured and so treated has its surface colored by the coloring agent, which has been added in the material surface, and requires no painting process, which would be otherwise required after the manufacture, thus allowing the front edge member23to be manufactured inexpensively and at a cost reduced by the otherwise required painting expense. Since after the manufacture thereof the front edge member23has its surface representing the base material color by the coloring agent used as hereinabove described, there is no possibility that even when small stones or any other particulate matters collide against the front edge member23to damage the latter, a painted surface will not fall off enough to expose the base surface to the outside such as occurring where the painting has been applied to the front edge member. Accordingly, an undesirable reduction in appealing appearance can be suppressed for a substantial period of time of use.

Also, since each of the front edge members23has its surface satin finished, not only is the respective front edge member23less susceptible to a taint, but also rays of light impinging on the surface of the front edge member23are readily reflected enough to render the taints to be less noticeable. On the other hand, while the fairing body22is generally finished by painting to have a beautiful and appealing outer surface, such appealing outer surface of the fairing body22can be maintained for a substantial period of time as the front edge members23so manufactured and so treated as hereinabove described are effective to prevent the fairing body22from being spoiled or otherwise damaged. Accordingly, an undesirable reduction in appealing feature of the fairing unit21, which would otherwise occur when it is used for a prolonged time, can be further suppressed.

Since the fairing unit21of this embodiment is such that the step37is formed inwardly between the rear edge of the outer surface of each of the front edge members23and the front portion of the outer surface of the fairing body22as shown in and described with particular reference toFIG. 7, the incoming wind A then flowing along the outer surface of the respective front edge member23can be detached from the fairing body22in the presence of such step37. As a result thereof, not only can the frictional resistance developed between the fairing body22and the incoming wind A be reduced, but also deposition of dust or the like on the fairing body22and/or collision of small stones or any other particulate matters against the fairing body22, which eventually result in taints, can be suppressed.

Also, since the discharge port42is formed between the rear edge portion of the respective front edge member23and the front edge portion of the fairing body22for discharging the air A1, then inwardly of each of the front edge members23in the vicinity of the radiator41to the outside, the air A1of a high temperature around the radiator41can be smoothly discharged from inside of the fairing unit21to the external atmosphere.

It is to be noted that the present invention although having been shown and described as applied to the motorcycle of a type provided with the fairing, can be equally applied to any other motorcycle, provided that the fairing is used therein, or a motorcycle utilizing an electrically operated motor as a motive power. Although the motorcycle, to which the present invention is applicable, is preferably of a type utilizing a fully enclosing fairing such as shown in and described in connection with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the effects afforded by the present invention can be equally obtained even with a motorcycle employing a half-fairing or a bikini fairing.

In addition, although in describing the preferred embodiment of the present invention, reference has been made to the front edge member23of a two component structure made up of the left and right front edge pieces23aand23b, it may be further fractioned so render them to be removably mounted on the fairing body, or the left and right members may be integrated or formed in a unitary structure. By way of example, the lower end portion of the front edge member23, which is susceptible to taint or any other impairment, may be separated from the other portion and may be separately detachably fitted to the fairing body22.

The left and right side fairing segments22aand22b, forming respective parts of the fairing body22of the fairing assembly21shown inFIG. 1, has left and right turn signal lamps44A and44B fixedly mounted thereon in proximity to each other to thereby complete a fairing assembly43to which the present invention pertains. As hereinabove described, the major portion of the front edge of the fairing unit21is formed by the front edge members23, which are generally smaller, and have a physical strength lower, than the fairing body22and, also, which can be replaced with a new one if desired. For this reason, mounting of a turn signal lamp system44, made up of the left and right turn signal lamps44A and44B, on the front edge members23are undesirable.

In view of the above, the fairing assembly43includes the left and right turn signal lamps44A and44B fixedly mounted on the left and right side fairing segments22aand22bof the fairing body22at respective locations rearwardly of the front edge pieces23aand23b. Where the left and right turn signal lamps44A and44B are mounted on respective portions of the fairing body22rearwardly of the front edge members23of the fairing unit21, in order to satisfy the statutory requirement concerning the pattern of distribution of light emitted from each of the turn signal lamps44A and44B, they must be disposed at respective positions where they can protrude a relatively large distance outwardly from the side fairing segments22aand22bin a direction widthwise of the motorcycle body.

Considering that each of the turn signal lamps44A and44B, which are mounted on the fairing body22at such respective positions where they can protrude a relatively large distance outwardly from the side fairing segments22aand22b, is susceptible to a large external force in contact with a fixture, the respective turn signal lamp44A and44B is supported by the associated side fairing segment22aand22bfor collapsible movement in a direction inwardly of the width of the motorcycle body, when they receive such an external force, to thereby avoid the possible impairment or damage.

The left and right turn signal lamps44A and44B, which are of a symmetrical shape relative to each other, are fitted to the respective side fairing segments22aand22bby the use of the same fitting structure. The mounting manner of the turn signal lamps44A and44B will now be described in detail, noting that since for the purpose of clarity and a better understanding of the present invention, reference will be made only to one of the turn signal lamps, for example, the right turn signal lamp44B mounted on the right side fairing segment22b, unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 9illustrates a side view of the right side fairing segment22b, showing the shape of an inner surface side thereof. As shown therein, a portion of the front edge of the right side fairing segment22bhas a mounting opening47defined therein for receiving the right turn signal lamp44B then inserted thereinto from an inner surface side towards an outer surface side, and support pieces48for supporting the turn signal lamp44B, which has been inserted into the mounting opening47, are formed integrally with the side fairing segment22band disposed at respective three, equally spaced locations around the mounting opening47. The support pieces48are formed with respective bosses49each having a threaded hole49adefined therein for threadingly receiving a corresponding fastening member used to support the turn signal lamp44B as will be described later.

FIG. 10is a side view of the right turn signal lamp44B as viewed laterally from the motorcycle body and, as best shown therein, the turn signal lamp44bis fitted having been inserted into the mounting opening47in a direction forwardly of the sheet ofFIG. 9, with front and rear sides thereof inverted.FIG. 11is a cross sectional view taken along the line XI-XI inFIG. 1, showing a portion of the turn signal lamp44B that is mounted on the fairing segment22b. As shown inFIG. 11, the turn signal lamp44B includes a blinker casing58comprised of a casing base59and a casing covering60cupped onto the casing base59, and a blinker lamp not shown is supported by the casing base59in any known manner and is covered by the casing covering60that is made of a light transmissive material and is so shaped as to protrude outwardly relative to the casing base59.

As best shown inFIG. 10, the casing base59are formed with flanges61, which are examples of to-be-supported members and which protrude outwardly from three peripheral portions of the casing base59so as to align with the three support pieces48integral with the side fairing segment22bshown inFIG. 9. As shown inFIG. 10, each of those flanges61is of a generally U-shaped configuration having a support mouth63defined therein for receiving therein the respective boss49integral with the support piece48(FIG. 9). Each of the support mouth63has defined therein a generally semicircular support hole63aand a cutout63bcommunicated with the support hole63asuch that the round sectioned boss49of the respective support piece48can be engaged in the support hole63athrough the cutout63bin a manner as will be described subsequently.

Referring toFIG. 11, each of the flanges61in the turn signal lamp44B is supported by the corresponding support piece48in the side fairing segment22bthrough an elastic member68such as, for example, a rubber damper with the use of a fastening member69which is a support element such as, for example, a bolt. As best shown inFIG. 12, the elastic member68is of a substantially hollow cylindrical shape having an insertion hole70, defined at a center portion thereof, and also having a circumferentially extending engagement groove71, defined in an outer peripheral portion thereof, such that the elastic member68, after having been mounted on the respective flange61through the cutout63bwith an inner peripheral edge around the support hole63aengaged in the circumferential engagement groove71of the elastic member68, is mounted to on the side fairing segment22bwith the corresponding boss49received within the insertion hole70. In mounting the elastic member68onto the respective flange61, the elastic member68is inserted into the support hole63athrough the cutout63bof the support mouth63best shown inFIG. 10.

FIG. 13shows the condition, in which each of the elastic members68is engaged in the respective support hole63ain the associated flange61and is then overlapped with the corresponding support piece48. As shown therein, the support piece48includes a generally U-shaped support frame52, surrounding ¾ of the outer circumference of the boss49, and a plurality of retainer ribs53extending radially outwardly from the boss49to the support frame52so as to connect the boss49with the support frame52.

Hereinafter, the manner of fitting the turn signal lamp44B, shown inFIG. 11, to the side fairing segment22bof the fairing body22will be described in detail. The elastic members68are mounted on the flanges61of the turn signal lamp44B, respectively, in a manner with the peripheral edge of the support hole63aof the support mouth63in each of the flanges61engaged in the circumferential engagement groove71in the corresponding elastic member68. Subsequently, as the casing covering60of the turn signal lamp44B is passed into the mounting opening47from the inner surface side of the side fairing segment22b, the bosses49of the three support pieces48provided in the side fairing segment22bare inserted into the respective insertion holes70defined in the associated elastic members68then mounted on the turn signal lamp44B. In a condition in which the bosses49have been completely inserted into the respective insertion holes70until the elastic members69are brought into contact with inner side end portions of the retainer ribs53of the support pieces48, the casing covering60of the turn signal lamp44B protrudes considerably outwardly from the side fairing segment22b. In this condition, the turn signal lamp44B is retained having been engaged in the mounting opening47as shown by the solid line inFIG. 11and the turn signal lamp44is thus temporarily retained in position.

Complete mounting of the turn signal lamp44B on the side fairing segment22bfinishes when the fastening members69are firmly threaded into the respective threaded holes49ain the bosses49with heads69aof such fastening members69urging the associated elastic members68against the retainer ribs53. By so doing, the turn signal lamp44B can be fitted to the support pieces48of the side fairing segment22bby means of the fastening members69through the elastic members68mounted on the respective flanges61. It is to be noted that for the fastening members69, any suitable fastening members such as, for example, rivets or tapping screw other than bolts can be employed, provided that they have heads required to urge the associated elastic members68against the retainer ribs53as hereinabove described.

In the meantime, the head69aof the fastening member69has an outer diameter C, which is smaller than the inner diameter B of the support hole63ain each of the flanges61, but greater than the inner diameter D of the insertion hole70in the respective elastic member68. Accordingly, at any usual time, the elastic member68having its insertion hole70at the center portion thereof, into which the corresponding boss49is inserted, is urged by the support frame52of the respective support piece48in the side fairing segment22band the retainer ribs53and is then fixed by the head69aof the respective fastening member69, which has the outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the insertion hole70.

By way of example, in the event that as a result of toppling of the motorcycle down to the ground the fairing body22contacts a fixture such as, for example, the ground, the turn signal lamp44B protruding in a direction laterally outwardly from the fairing body22is acted upon by the external force acting in a direction laterally inwardly as shown by the arrow P inFIG. 11. Since at this time the inner peripheral edge around the support hole63aof the respective flange61of the turn signal lamp44B is engaged in the circumferentially extending engagement groove71of the elastic member68, the elastic member68receives the external force, then applied to the turn signal lamp44B (or44A) through the respective flange61. If this external force is higher than a predetermined permissible external force, the elastic member68is pressed by the flange61to undergo a considerable elastic deformation, whereupon the head69aof the fastening member69breaks into the insertion hole70having its diameter then expanded radially outwardly in response to the elastic deformation of the elastic member68.

Since as hereinabove described the inner diameter B of the support hole63aof the respective flange61is greater than the outer diameter C of the head69aof the fastening member69, the flange61displaces in a direction laterally inwardly of the fairing body22while the support hole63athereof moves together with the elastic member68and passes the head69aof the fastening member69, thereby allowing the elastic member68and the flange61to disengage from the head69aof the fastening member69. Accordingly, the support of the turn signal lamp44B by each of the support pieces48in the side fairing segment22bis thus released.

In the manner described above, the turn signal lamp44B is in part or wholly collapsed inwardly of the motorcycle body through the mounting opening47when urged by the external force. As a result of the external force absorbed upon collapse, an undesirable impairment or damage to the casing covering60of the turn signal lamp44B can be avoided.

It is to be noted that even the left turn signal lamp44A is similarly supported by the left side fairing segment22abecause of the same structure as that of the right turn signal lamp44B described hereinabove.

The permissible external force referred to above is of a magnitude somewhat lower than the external force which leads to the impairment or damage to the blinker casing58of the turn signal lamp44B shown inFIG. 11and, if the elastic force of the elastic member68and the difference between the outer diameter C of the head69aof the fastening member69and the inner diameter D of the insertion hole70of the elastic member68are suitably chosen, the elastic member68, which is acted on by the external force higher than the permissible external force through the respective flange61, can pass over the head69aof the fastening member69to move in a direction laterally inwardly of the motorcycle body upon elastic deformation thereof. In other words, the elastic member68, when receiving the external force of a magnitude not higher than the permissible external force, is merely urged by the head69aof the fastening member69and is not moved in the direction laterally inwardly of the motorcycle body and, hence, there is no possibility that the turn signal lamp44may accidentally displace.

Also, the turn signal lamp44B is supported by the support pieces48of the side fairing segment22bin a condition in which the fastening member69is inserted into the insertion hole70, defined in each of the cylindrical elastic members68that are engaged with the three flanges61, to inhibit a displacement in a direction other than the direction laterally of the vehicle body along the corresponding fastening member69. Accordingly, the turn signal lamp44B is assuredly inhibited from accidentally displacing during the normal time and retained stably at a desired position.

FIG. 9shows by the double dotted chain line the position at which the radiator40is fitted when the right side fairing segment22bof the fairing body22is mounted on the motorcycle. The three support pieces48formed in the side fairing segment22bare arranged displaced a distance forwardly of the radiator41. The left side fairing segment22ashown inFIG. 2is of a shape symmetrical with the right side fairing segment22bdescribed above. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent any one of the left and right turn signal lamps44A and44B from colliding against the radiator41of a relatively large size, as compared with the turn signal lamps, when one of the left and right turn signal lamps44A and44B is collapsed in a direction laterally inwardly of the motorcycle body by the reason discussed hereinbefore.

The fairing assembly43according to the embodiment is so designed and so configured that when one or both of the side fairing segments22aand22bcontact the fixture such as, for example, the ground and then receive a considerable external force in a direction laterally inwardly thereof, the turn signal lamps44A and44B can be collapsed to a position flush with or further inwardly of the respective outer side surface of the side fairing segments22aand22bof the fairing assembly. The outer side surface in the laterally outward direction referred to above means, as shown by the double dotted line inFIG. 14, the imaginary plane Q connecting a plurality of sites in the vicinity of the mounting openings47for receiving the turn signal lamps44A and44B in the corresponding side fairing segments22aand22b, which protrude most in the direction laterally outwardly of the motorcycle body.

When the turn signal lamps44A and44B are moved, one at a time, in the laterally inward direction in response to the external force more than the predetermined permissible force as hereinbefore described, the support thereof by the support pieces48in the respective side fairing segment22aor22bis released to assume the condition in which it is merely retained as collapsibly inserted into the corresponding mounting openings47. Therefore, the turn signal lamp44A or44B can be urged inwardly of the side fairing segment22aor22buntil the fixture contacts the outer surface of the side fairing segment22aor22b. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively prevent the turn signal lamp44A or44B from being impaired or damaged upon receipt of the large external force.

The fairing assembly employed in the embodiment can be equally used in a motorcycle of a type having the fairing unit with no front edge member employed. In other words, if the turn signal lamps are arranged so as to protrude in respective directions laterally outwardly from the fairing unit, contact of the fairing body with the ground as a result of, for example, toppling of the motorcycle down to the ground will result in application of the considerable external force thereto. Therefore, if the turn signal lamps are so designed and so configured as to be collapsible laterally inwardly of the fairing unit upon receipt of such considerable external force, the external force can be absorbed to avoid an undesirable impairment or damage to the fairing unit.

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