Two-wheeled motor vehicle

An air cleaner case whereby a seat height can be reduced and the air cleaner case can be disposed in proximity to an engine. In a two-wheeled motor vehicle having a vehicle body frame, a fuel tank disposed at a front upper side of the vehicle body frame, a seat disposed behind the fuel tank and above the vehicle body frame, an engine suspended between the lower side of the fuel tank and the lower side of the vehicle body frame, an air cleaner case, a plate-like element disposed in the air cleaner case, and a maintenance lid used when the plate-like element is mounted/dismounted, the air cleaner case is disposed below the fuel tank, the plate-like element is disposed to be tilted rearward and upward in side view of the vehicle, and the maintenance lid is provided below the seat so as to face the seat.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a two-wheeled motor vehicle having an air cleaner case.

BACKGROUND ART

There has been hitherto known an air-intake apparatus for a two-wheeled motor vehicle in which an air cleaner case is disposed below a seat, a detachable maintenance lid (air cleaner cover) is provided below the seat and on the upper surface of the air cleaner case and a plate-like element is inserted vertically from the maintenance lid to the air cleaner case and fixed in a vertical position (for example, see Patent Document 1).

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 3466043

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problem to be solved by the Invention

However, with respect to the conventional air cleaner case, the element is fixed in a vertical position, and thus in order to secure the area of the element, the element must be elongated, so that it is necessary to design the air cleaner case in a large size in the height direction thereof. Therefore, it is difficult to reduce the seat height, and also it is difficult to dispose the large-size air cleaner case in proximity to an engine. Therefore, it has been difficult that the air-intake apparatus is disposed in proximity to the engine to enhance the engine characteristic.

The present invention has been implemented in view of the foregoing situation, and has an object to miniaturize an air cleaner case compact in a two-wheeled motor vehicle so that the height of a seat can be reduced and also the air cleaner case can be disposed in proximity to an engine.

Means of solving the Problem

In order to solve the above problem, according to the present invention, a two-wheeled motor vehicle having a vehicle body frame for holding a front wheel so that the front wheel is steerable, and holding a rear wheel so that the rear wheel is swingable, a fuel tank disposed at a front upper side of the vehicle body frame, a seat disposed behind the fuel tank and above the vehicle body frame, an internal combustion engine suspended between the lower side of the fuel tank and the lower side of the vehicle body frame, an air cleaner case for cleaning intake outside air and supplying the air to the internal combustion engine, a plate-like element disposed inside the air cleaner case, and a maintenance lid that constitutes a part of the air cleaner case and used when the plate-like element is mounted/dismounted, is characterized in that the air cleaner case is disposed below the fuel tank, the plate-like element is disposed to be tilted rearward and upward in a side view of the vehicle so that a cleaning face thereof faces an up-and-down direction, and the maintenance lid is provided below the seat so as to face the seat.

According to this construction, the plate-like element is disposed to be tilted rearward and upward, and thus the size of the plate-like element does not affect the size in the height direction of the air cleaner case, so that the air cleaner case can be compactly arranged in the height direction. Therefore, the air cleaner case can be disposed in proximity to the engine and also the seat height can be reduced. Furthermore, the maintenance lid is provided so as to face the seat behind the fuel tank. Therefore, even when the air cleaner case is disposed in proximity to the engine, the fuel tank does not hinder, and also the plate-like element can be mounted/dismounted from the seat side for maintenance. Still furthermore, only the space which the maintenance lid faces is formed below the seat, and thus the seat height can be reduced and thus the steering performance of the two-wheeled motor vehicle can be enhanced.

In the above construction, the air cleaner case may be constructed by two upper and lower divisional cases, an opening for a connecting tube for supplying intake air to the internal combustion engine may be formed in an upper air cleaner case, an opening for an air intake duct for introducing outside air into the air cleaner case may be formed in a lower air cleaner case, and the plate-like element and the maintenance lid may be arranged in the lower air cleaner case.

In this case, the plate-like element is disposed in the lower air cleaner case of the vertically dual-partitioned air cleaner. Therefore, when the plate-like element is mounted or dismounted, dust adhering to the plate-like element can be prevented from dropping to the upper air cleaner case side, that is, the clean side, and thus the maintenance performance can be enhanced. Furthermore, the maintenance lid is disposed at the lower air cleaner side, that is, the dirty side to which outside air is introduced, and thus the air-tightness between the maintenance lid and the lower air cleaner case can be relatively easily managed, so that the productivity can be enhanced.

Furthermore, an element holder may be interposed between divisional faces of the upper air cleaner case and the lower air cleaner case, and an element guide portion for holding the plate-like element may be formed at a lower portion of the element holder.

In this case, when the plate-like element is inserted from the maintenance lid, the element guide portion of the element holder can be used, and thus the mounting/dismounting performance of the plate-like element can be enhanced.

Furthermore, the element guide portion may be formed at a lower side of a position at which the plate-like element is fixed, a lid-side guide portion projecting to the inside of the air cleaner case may be formed in the maintenance lid, and the lid-side guide portion may be formed so as to push up the plate-like element to a fixing position under the state that the maintenance lid is fixed to the air cleaner case.

In this case, when the maintenance lid is fixed to the air cleaner case, the plate-like element is pushed up by the lid-side guide portion and the plate-like element is also fixed at the same time, so that the maintenance performance can be enhanced. Furthermore, when the maintenance lid is detached, the plate-like element can drop till the position of the element guide portion by its own weight, so that the plate-like element can be easily pulled out.

Furthermore, the maintenance lid may have a hook portion at an upper portion thereof, and have a fastening portion at a lower portion thereof.

In this case, the hook portion is provided at the upper portion, and the upper portion is not fixed by fastening or the like. Therefore, the maintenance lid can be secured to the air cleaner case while turned with the upper portion thereof being used as a fulcrum, so that the plate-like element can be lifted up by the lid-side guide portion and the plate-like element can be pushed up till the fixing position. Furthermore, the hook portion is provided to the upper portion of the maintenance lid, and thus it is unnecessary to provide a fastening part to the upper portion. Therefore, the number of fastening parts can be reduced, so that the productivity can be enhanced and the weight can be reduced.

Furthermore, all case-side fastening portions for fixing the air cleaner case to the vehicle body frame may be formed in the upper air cleaner case, and a frame-side fastening portion at the side of the vehicle frame to which the air cleaner case is fixed may be disposed on the upper surface of the vehicle body frame.

In this case, all the case-side fastening portions of the air cleaner case to the vehicle body frame are formed integrally with the upper air cleaner case. Therefore, the position precision of each case-side fastening portion can be enhanced, and the productivity can be enhanced. Furthermore, the air cleaner case is assembled by tightening the case-side fastening portions from the upper side of the vehicle body frame, so that the assembling work can be facilitated and thus the productivity can be further enhanced.

Furthermore, the wall portion of the upper air cleaner case facing the connecting tube which is connected to the connecting tube opening may be designed in a spherical shape.

In this case, the wall portion of the upper air cleaner case on which the air intake negative pressure of the engine acts is formed in a spherical shape and thus the rigidity of the wall portion is increased, so that air intake sound can be reduced.

Furthermore, the vehicle body frame may be constructed by at least a pair of right and left frame members, and the fuel tank may have a rear fastening portion that is formed in an arch-like shape in back view at a rear portion thereof, and may be fixed to the pair of right and left frame members through both the end portions in the vehicle width direction of the rear fastening portion.

In this case, the arch-like rear fastening portion is provided to the rear portion of the fuel tank, and thus the space in which the maintenance lid is disposed can be secured at the rear side of the fuel tank. Furthermore, the rear fastening portion functions as a member for connecting a pair of right and left frame members, and thus the strength and rigidity of the frame members can be enhanced.

Effect of the Invention

In the two-wheeled motor vehicle according to the present invention, the plate-like element is disposed to be tilted to the rear and upper side and thus it does not affect the size in the height direction of the air cleaner case. Therefore, the air cleaner case can be compactly disposed in the height direction. Accordingly, the air cleaner case can be disposed in proximity to the engine, and also the seat height can be reduced. Furthermore, the maintenance lid is provided so as to face the seat. Therefore, even when the air cleaner case is disposed in proximity to the engine, the fuel tank does not hinder, and the plate-like element can be mounted/dismounted from the seat side to perform maintenance. Furthermore, only the space which the maintenance lid faces is formed below the seat, and thus the steering performance of the two-wheeled motor vehicle can be enhanced by reducing the seat height.

Furthermore, the plate-like element is disposed in the lower air cleaner case. Therefore, dust adhering to the plate-like element can be prevented from dropping off to the clean side at the upper air cleaner case side, and thus the maintenance performance can be enhanced. Furthermore, the maintenance lid is disposed at the lower air cleaner case side as the dirty side, and thus the air-tightness between the maintenance lid and the lower air cleaner case can be relatively easily managed, so that the productivity can be enhanced.

Furthermore, the plate-like element can be inserted by using the element guide portion of the element holder, so that the mounting/dismounting performance of the plate-like element can be enhanced.

Still furthermore, when the maintenance lid is fixed, the plate-like element is pushed up by the lid-side guide portion, and fixed at the same time, so that the maintenance performance can be enhanced. When the maintenance lid is detached, the plate-like element can drop till the position of the locating position of the element guide portion by its own weight, so that the plate-like element can be easily pulled out.

Furthermore, the maintenance lid can be secured to the air cleaner case while the upper portion of the maintenance lid is turned with the upper portion thereof being used as a fulcrum, and the plate-like element can be pushed up till the fixing position by lifting the plate-like element with the lid-side guide portion. Furthermore, the hook portion is provided to the upper portion of the maintenance lid, so that it is unnecessary to provide a fastening part to the upper portion and the number of fastening parts can be reduced. Therefore, the productivity can be enhanced, and the weight can be reduced.

All the case-side fastening portions of the air cleaner case to the vehicle body frame are formed integrally with the upper air cleaner case, so that the position precision of each case-side fastening portion can be enhanced and the productivity can be enhanced. Furthermore, the air cleaner case is assembled by tightening the case-side fastening portions from the upper side of the vehicle body frame, so that the assembling work can be easily performed and the productivity can be enhanced.

Furthermore, the wall portion of the upper air cleaner case on which the air intake negative pressure of the engine acts is formed in a spherical shape, and thus the rigidity of the wall portion is increased, so that the air intake sound can be reduced.

Still furthermore, the arch-shaped rear fastening portion is provided to the rear portion of the fuel tank, and thus the space in which the maintenance lid is disposed can be secured at the rear side of the fuel tank. Furthermore, the rear fastening portion functions as a member for connecting the pair of right and left frame members, whereby the strength and rigidity of the frame members can be enhanced.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the following description, the up-and-down, front-and-rear and right-and-left directions are defined with respect to a direction along which a driver of the vehicle views.

FIG. 1is a left side view of a two-wheeled motor vehicle10according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The two-wheeled motor vehicle10is a saddle riding type vehicle in which an engine12(internal combustion engine) is disposed at the center portion of a vehicle body frame11, a front fork13is supported at the front end of the vehicle body frame11so as to be steerable, and a swing arm14which is swingable in the up-and-down direction is mounted at the lower portion of the rear end of the vehicle body frame11.

The vehicle body frame11is configured to have a head pipe16for supporting the front fork13so that the front fork13is steerable, a pair of right and left main frames17extending from the upper portion of the head pipe16downward and backward, a pair of right and left down frames18extending from the lower portion of the head pipe16downward and backward, a pair of right and left center frames19extending from the rear ends of the main frames17downwards at an intermediate portion of the vehicle in the front-and-rear direction, a pair of right and left seat rails20(frame members) which extend backward and upward from the rear portions of the main frames17to the rear portion of the vehicle, a pair of right and left sub frames21for connecting the rear ends of the upper portions of the main frames17and the rear ends of the seat rails20, and a swing arm14.

Enforcing frames22and23for connecting the main frames17and the down frames18are provided at the rear side of the head pipe16and the sides of the engine12. Furthermore, enforcing frames24and25for connecting the seat rails20and the sub frames21are provided at the rear sides of the center frames19. The respective enforcing frames22,23,24,25are provided as right and left pairs.

A seat lower cross member26for connecting the right and left seat rails20is provided at an intermediate portion of the seat rails20. An upper cross member27for connecting the right and left center frames19is provided to the upper portions of the center frames19, and a lower cross member28for connecting the lower portions of the right and left center frames19is provided to the lower portions of the center frames19.

The right and left center frames19have plate-like pivot portions29extending downwardly from the upper portion at which the main frames17and the seat rails22are connected. The pivot portions29are provided as a pair of right and left pivot portions, and a pivot shaft30for pivotally supporting the swing arm14so that the swing arm14is swingable is disposed so as to penetrate through the intermediate portions of the right and left pivot portions29in the up-and-down direction. The pivot shaft30is disposed in parallel to the vehicle width direction.

The swing arm14has a pair of right and left arms7extending in the front-and-rear direction, and the right and left arms7are connected to each other by a front cross portion7A provided at the front side and a rear cross portion7B provided at the front side of the rear wheel WR.

A pivot shaft30penetrates through the front end portion14A of the swing arm14, and the swing arm14extends backwardly with the front end portion14A thereof being located at the swing center. The rear wheel WR as a driving wheel is mounted on the rear end of the swing arm14.

A link mechanism31which is joined to the lower cross member28is joined to the lower portion of the swing arm14. A rear cushion32which elastically supports the swing arm14is joined to the upper cross member27at the upper end thereof, and also joined to the link mechanism31at the lower end thereof. The rear cushion32passes through the gap between the front cross portion7A and the rear cross portion7B of the swing arm14so as to extend in the up-and-down direction.

A steering handle33is secured to the upper portion of the front fork13, and a front wheel WF is secured to the lower portion of the front fork13. A fuel tank35in which fuel is stocked is disposed at the upper side of the main frames17so as to straddle the right and left main frames17and extends from the rear side of the head pipe16to the upper side of the center frames19. That is, the fuel tank35is disposed at the upper side of the front portion of the vehicle body frame11. Furthermore, the fuel tank35contains a fuel pump53for supplying fuel to the engine12.

A rider seat36which is provided so as to straddle the right and left seat rails20is disposed at the upper side of the seat rails20so as to be continuous with the rear end of the fuel tank35, and extends backwards along the seat rails20. The seat36is locked by a lock mechanism (not shown) provided to the rear portion of the seat36, and a rider or the like releases the lock mechanism, whereby the lock mechanism is freely detachable. Furthermore, a battery9is disposed at a portion surrounded by the right and left seat rails20and the sub frames21below the rear portion of the seat36.

Stays37are provided to the right and left center frames19so as to extend backwards from the rear portions of the pivot portions29, and main steps38on which the rider steps are secured to the right and left stays37.

Furthermore, a freely foldable side stand39is secured to the lower end of the left-hand center frame19. The two-wheeled motor vehicle10has the side stand39at the left side, and thus when the vehicle is parked by using the side stand39, it is parked while kept to be tilted to the left side at only a predetermined angle. A head lamp40is provided to the front portion of the head pipe16.

The engine12is a water-cooling type four cycle single cylinder engine. A cylinder axial line is provided to be tilted forward, and the engine12is configured to have a cylinder block42in which a piston is slid, a cylinder head43and a cylinder head cover44which are successively provided in this order from the crank case41in which the crank shaft is mounted. A transmission45is provided at the rear portion of the crank case41so as to be integral with the crank case41.

The engine12is supported on the vehicle body frame11so that a front hanger46joined to the front portion of the crank case41is fastened to the lower ends of the down frames18, and the upper portion of the rear side of the crank case41is fastened to a rear hanger47extending from the upper portions of the center frames19. Furthermore, the engine12is also fixed to the vehicle body frame11at the lower portion of the rear side thereof by a lower hanger48extending from the lower cross member28. The engine12is hung while suspended to the lower side of the vehicle body frame11as a whole.

A drive sprocket56for outputting the rotation of the engine12is provided to the left side surface of the rear portion of the crank case41. A driven sprocket57is provided to the left side surface of the rear wheel WR. The rear wheel WR is driven by a chain58wound between the drive sprocket56and the driven sprocket57.

An exhaust pipe49is connected to the front portion of the cylinder head43, and the exhaust pipe49extends from the front side of the crank case41through the lower side of the crank case41and to the rear side of the crank case41. A muffler50extending to the upper rear side is connected to the rear end of the exhaust pipe49.

Furthermore, a radiator51is secured to the front portion of the down frame18.

An air-intake device60for taking in air to be supplied to the engine12is disposed below the rear portion of the fuel tank35and above the center frames19.

The air-intake device60has a box-shaped air cleaner case61for cleaning intake outside air, and a connecting tube62protruding forward from the air cleaner case61. A throttle body52for adjusting an air amount to be supplied to the engine12is connected to the front end of the connecting tube62, and the throttle body52is connected to an air intake port43A at the rear portion of the cylinder head43. An injector34is provided to the throttle body52, and fuel in the fuel tank35is supplied to the injector34by a fuel pump53.

Furthermore, the air cleaner case61is located at the upper rear side of the cylinder head43, and the connecting tube62and the throttle body52are linearly arranged to be tilted forward and downward to the air intake port43A of the cylinder head43.

The two-wheeled motor vehicle10has a vehicle body cover C formed of resin, and the vehicle body cover C has a pair of right and left side covers54covering both the sides of the air intake device60, and a rear cover55covering the sub frames21and the seat rails20at the rear side of the seat36. Specifically, the side covers54cover a side surface portion of the vehicle which is surrounded by the lower edges of the fuel tank35and the seat36and the upper edges of the main frames17, the center frames19and the sub frames21.

Furthermore, the upper portion of the front wheel WF is covered by a front fender8secured to the front fork13.

FIG. 2is a side cross-sectional view showing the air intake device60and the periphery thereof.

As shownFIG. 2, the air cleaner case61is divided into upper and lower cases, and comprises a box-shaped upper air cleaner case64having an opened lower surface and a box-shaped lower air cleaner case65having an opened upper surface. The air cleaner case61is configured as a box-shaped case by assembling the upper air cleaner64and the lower air cleaner65so that the openings thereof are fitted to each other.

An opening63for a connecting tube to which the connecting tube62is connected is formed in the front portion of the upper air cleaner case64. An opening66for an air-intake duct which is opened to the rear side of the vehicle is formed in a rear wall portion65A of the lower air cleaner case65, and an air-intake duct67as an air-intake port for introducing outside air into the air cleaner case61is connected to the opening66for the air-intake duct so as to protrude to the rear side. The air-intake duct67is formed in a tubular shape, and provided so as to protrude to the inside and outside of the lower air cleaner case65at the rear wall portion65A of the lower air cleaner case65.

The divisional faces61A and61B of the upper air cleaner case64and the lower air cleaner case65are formed to be substantially flat, and a plate-like element holder68is interposed between the divisional faces61A and61B. The element holder68is provided over the whole areas of the divisional faces61A and61B under the state that the element holder68is sandwiched between the lower surface of the upper air cleaner case64and the upper surface of the lower air cleaner case65.

The element holder68has an element holding portion69at the lower surface side thereof, that is, inside the lower air cleaner case65under the state that it is assembled, and a plate-like element70for absorbing dust, etc. contained in outside air which is taken in from the air-intake duct67is held by the element holding portion69. The plate-like element70has an upper cleaning face70A and a lower cleaning face70B formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the plate-like shape thereof, and the upper cleaning face70aand the lower cleaning face70B serve as surfaces having the maximum areas in the plate-like element70. The plate-like element70is secured so that the upper cleaning face70A is upwardly oriented to face the inside of the upper air cleaner case64, and the lower cleaning face70B is downwardly oriented to face the inside of the lower air cleaner case65.

The element holder68is formed in a frame-like shape. All the outside air introduced from the air-intake duct67into the lower air cleaner case65flows from the lower cleaning face70B into the plate-like element70to be cleaned, and then flows from the upper cleaning face70A to the upper air cleaner case64side.

As described above, the air cleaner case61is partitioned into a dirty side and a clean side by the plate-like element70. The dirty side serving as an outside air intake side corresponds to the lower air cleaner case65, and the clean side through which cleaned air passes corresponds to the upper air cleaner case64.

Furthermore, the element holder68is formed so as to decrease in plate thickness as the position is nearer to the rear end side thereof, and the lower surface side thereof at which the element holding portion69is formed is tilted rearward and upward with respect to the upper surface side thereof. Therefore, the plate-like element70is kept to be tilted rearward and upward with respect to the upper surface of the element holder68.

A maintenance opening71through which the plate-like element70can be inserted into and removed from the lower air cleaner case65is formed in the rear wall portion65A of the lower air cleaner case65. A cylindrical fixing portion71A projecting rearward is formed at the edge portion of the maintenance opening71.

The maintenance opening71is formed above the air intake duct opening66in the rear wall portion65A, and covered by a freely detachable maintenance lid72.

The maintenance lid72has a plate-like lid portion72A covering the maintenance opening71, a lid-side guide portion72B erected from the lid portion72A to the inside of the maintenance lid72, hook portions72C hooked to the upper portion of the maintenance opening71, lid fastening portions72D (fastening portions) fastened to the lower air cleaner case65, and groove portions72E in which fixing portions71A are fitted. The hook portions72C are provided to the upper portion of the lid portion72A, and the lid fastening portions72D are provided to the lower portions of the lid portions72A so as to face the hook portions72C.

The upper air cleaner case64has a step portion64A which is provided at the front end portion thereof so that the upper portion thereof is concaved to the back side by one step, and the opening63for the connecting tube is formed in the step portion64A. The cylindrical connecting tube62penetrates through the opening63for the connecting tube, and disposed so as to project to the inside and outside of the upper air cleaner case64substantially in parallel to the lower surface of the upper air cleaner case64. The front portion of the cylindrical connecting tube62is disposed to be set in the step portion64A, and the rear end62A thereof extends till an intermediate portion in the front-and-rear direction of the inside of the upper air cleaner case64.

The rear end62A of the connecting tube62is provided so as to face a rear wall portion64B (wall portion) of the upper air cleaner case64, and a portion of the rear wall portion64B which faces the rear end62A and a portion of the rear wall portion64B which is continuous with an upper wall portion64C have a spherical wall portion64D which is formed to have a spherical curved surface. The wall portion facing the rear end62A of the connecting tube62is a portion on which air-intake negative pressure of the engine12acts. In this embodiment, this wall portion is designed as the spherical wall portion64D to be enhanced in strength and rigidity, and thus air-intake sound caused by vibration of the wall portion can be reduced.

The air cleaner case61is disposed under the state that it is tilted forward. Specifically, the air cleaner case61is disposed so that the connecting tube62, the divisional faces61A and61B and the plate-like element70are rearward and upward tilted to the rear side of the vehicle, and the maintenance lid72is oriented to the upper side of the rear portion of the vehicle, that is, the maintenance lid72is oriented to the back surface side of the front portion of the seat36. Furthermore, the plate-like element70is tilted rearward and upward at a larger tilt angle than the seat rail20.

As described above, in this embodiment, the plate-like element70is disposed to be tilted rearward and upward (for example, tilted rearward and upward at 45° or less with respect to the horizontal direction) , and thus the size of the plate-like element70does not greatly affect the size of the air cleaner case61in the height direction. Accordingly, the air cleaner case61can be disposed in proximity to the engine12, and the air cleaner case61can be disposed in proximity to the engine12in accordance with a demand characteristic of the engine12, so that the characteristic of the engine12can be enhanced.

Furthermore, the air cleaner case61is also disposed to be tilted forward in conformity with the forward tilted engine12, and thus the connecting tube62and the throttle body52can be disposed linearly to be tilted forward to the air intake port43A of the cylinder head43as shown inFIG. 1. Accordingly, the air intake resistance can be reduced and thus the air intake efficiency can be enhanced.

The air cleaner case61is provided so that the lower air cleaner case65is located between the right and left seat rails20above the center frame19, and the upper portion thereof is disposed to be overlapped with the lower portion of the rear portion of the fuel tank35in side view as shown inFIG. 1. Specifically, as shown inFIG. 2, the upper portion of the air cleaner case61which is assembled to be tilted forward corresponds to the spherical wall portion64D, and a curved-surface concaved portion35A which is upwardly concaved so as to avoid the spherical wall portion64D is formed at the lower portion of the fuel tank35.

A concaved portion65B is formed at the lower portion of the lower air cleaner case65so as to avoid the upper cross member27.

A cylindrical canister59for adsorbing evaporated fuel occurring from the fuel tank35is disposed at an overlap portion which is located in the space surrounded by the throttle body52and the air cleaner case61and overlapped with the right and left main frames17in side view. As described above, the canister59is disposed in the space surrounded by the main frames17, the throttle body52and the air cleaner case61, and thus the canister59can be provided without affecting appearance.

FIG. 3is a side view showing the air intake device60and the periphery thereof. Here,FIG. 3shows a state that the fuel tank35, the left-side side cover54, etc. are detached.FIG. 4is a front view of the upper portion of the air intake device60from the front side.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the connecting tube opening63is provided at the center in the width direction of the upper air cleaner case64at the step portion64A, and a resonator connection portion62B opened to the left side surface side is provided to the connecting tube62. A side wall portion64E covering the right side surface of the connecting tube62is formed at the opposite side to the resonator connection portion62B at the front portion of the upper air cleaner case64.

The resonator connection portion62B is formed so as to be tilted upward with respect to the horizontal direction, and a resonator73is connected to the resonator connection portion62B. The resonator73is a chamber for air which passes from the air cleaner case61through the connecting tube62and flows into the throttle body52, and it has a function of reducing air intake sound.

The resonator73is disposed to be set in the step portion64A, and it has a side chamber73A swelling from the resonator connection portion62B to the left side of the vehicle, and an upper chamber73B which extends around to the upper portion of the connecting tube62and further extends till the neighborhood of the side wall portion64E at the right side of the vehicle. The resonator73is fastened and fixed to a resonator fixing portion64F provided to the upper surface of the side wall portion64E.

As shown inFIG. 4, under the state that the vehicle is vertically upreared, the bottom surface73C of the upper chamber73B of the resonator73is substantially horizontal, and the bottom surface73D of the side chamber73A is tilted to the upper side of the outside in the vehicle width direction along the tilt of the resonator connection portion62B. Furthermore, the bottom portion62C on the inner surface of the resonator connection portion62B and the bottom surface73D of the side chamber73A are continuous with each other, and are designed to have substantially the same tilt angle A. The tilt angle A is set to be larger than a predetermined angle at which the vehicle is tilted to the left side (the right side inFIG. 4) when the two-wheeled motor vehicle is parked by using the side stand39. That is, even under the parking state using the side stand39, the resonator connection portion62B and the bottom surface73D are kept under the state that the outside portions thereof are tilted upward. Accordingly, even when water droplets or the like occur in the resonator73under the parking using the side stand39, the water droplets or the like flow to the connecting tube62side along the resonator connection portion62B and the bottom surface73D, and thus water, etc. are not stocked in the resonator73.

As shown inFIG. 3, a case side fastening portion75for fixing the air cleaner case61to the vehicle body frame11is formed on the side surface of the upper air cleaner case64. The case side fastening portion75is formed at one place of each of the front and rear portions on each of right and left side surfaces of the upper air cleaner case64, and thus the case side fastening portions75are formed at totally four places. Each case side fastening portion75of the rear portion is formed at the end of a leg portion76extending downward from the side surface. The seating face of each case side fastening portion75is formed in parallel to the upper surface of the seat rail20. Each case side fastening portion75is formed integrally with the upper air cleaner case64when the upper air cleaner case64is molded with resin. Therefore, each case side fastening portion75has high positional precision.

Furthermore, the frame side fastening portion20A which is formed at the vehicle body frame11side in connection with the case side fastening portion75is provided at each of two places on the upper surface of each of the right and left seat rails20, that is, provided totally at four places. When the air cleaner case61is assembled to the vehicle body frame11, the air cleaner case61may be mounted on the seat rail20, and the case side fastening portions75and the respective frame side fastening portion20A may be fastened to each other by four bolts77which are tightened from the upper side. The air cleaner case61can be fixed by tightening the bolts77from the upper side of the seat rails20as described above, so that the assembling work can be facilitated and productivity can be enhanced.

FIG. 5is a plan view showing the periphery of the maintenance lid72when the periphery of the maintenance lid72is viewed from the upper side.FIG. 6is a view showing the periphery of the maintenance lid72when the periphery of the maintenance lid72is viewed from a rear position facing the maintenance lid72. Here,FIGS. 5 and 6show a state that the seat36is detached.

As shown inFIGS. 2,5and6, a plate-like stay fixing portion35B projecting rearward from the rear portion is formed on the fuel tank35, and the stay fixing portion35B is located above the seat rails20and the side covers54. A tank-side stay78(rear fastening portion) for fixing the fuel tank35to the seat rails20is fixed to the stay fixing portion35B by welding.

As shown inFIG. 6, the tank-side stay78is designed in an arch-like shape so as to project upward in back view, and has a plate-like base portion78A fixed to the rear end of the fuel tank35and arm portions78B which extend downward from the right and left ends of the base portion78A to the seat rails20, respectively. The tank-side stay78is located above the maintenance lid72, and covers the upper side of the maintenance lid72.

A seating portion78C obtained by folding the arm portion78B outward in the width direction and flattening the folded portion is provided to the lower end of each arm portion78B. Each of the right and left seating portions78C extends to the upper surface of each seat rail20so as to burrow into the lower side of the side cover54projecting to the upper side of each seat rail20. The fuel tank35is fixed to the seat rails20by tank fixing bolts which are inserted through the right and left seating portions78C.

A plate-like frame side stay20B is provided on the upper surface of each of the right and left seat rails20. As shown inFIG. 6, the fuel tank35is rubber-mounted on the seat rails20by tightening the tank fixing bolts79at the right and left sides of the tank under the state that rubbers80are interposed between each of the right and left frame side stays20B and the lower surface of the seating portion78C and between the tank fixing bolt79and the upper surface of the seating portion78C. Therefore, vibration among the right and left seat rails20and the fuel tank35can be reduced by the rubbers80.

In this embodiment, the fuel tank35is fixed by using the arch-like tank-side stay78provided to the rear portion of the fuel tank35, whereby a space K is secured at the rear side of the fuel tank35and below the tank-side stay78and the seat36which is continuous with the tank-side stay78and extends rearward. This space K is provided so as to face the maintenance opening71and the maintenance lid72, and it is designed in such a size that the plate-like element70can be pulled out to the upper rear side or pushed into the lower front side along the normal line of the surface of the lid portion72A of the maintenance lid72when the plate-like element70is mounted or dismounted through the maintenance opening71.

As shown inFIG. 2, the lid portion72A of the maintenance lid72is disposed to be tilted at such an angle that the lid portion72A faces the back surface side of the seat36. As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the lid portion72A is formed to be smaller in width than the width between the right and left seat rails20, and the lid portion72A is disposed between the right and left seat rails20. Furthermore, the lid fastening portions72D are provided at both the ends in the width direction at the lower portion of the lid portion72A. The lid fastening portions72D are screw type fastening portions, and erected substantially vertically to the surface of the lid portion72A.

As shown inFIG. 6, the lid-side guide portion72B and the hook portions72C are provided to the back surface side of the lid portion72A. The lid-side guide portion72B is located at the center in the width direction of the lid portion72A, and the hook portions72C are located at two places of both the end sides in the width direction of the lid portion72A.

A seat lower cross member26is provided at the rear side of the maintenance lid72, and the lid fastening portion72D and the seat lower cross member28are arranged to have a predetermined positional relationship. Specifically, as shown inFIG. 2, the lid fastening portion72D is disposed in such a positional relationship that the axial line T of the lid fastening portion72D passes through the upper side of the seat lower cross member26and the axial line T does not interfere with the seat lower cross member26. That is, as shown inFIG. 6, when the maintenance lid72is viewed from a rear side facing the lid portion72A, the seat lower cross member26and the lid fastening portions72D are not overlapped with each other, and the seat lower cross member26does not get in the way of the lid fastening portions72D, so that the lid fastening portions72D can be readily pulled out and detached in the direction of the axial line T.

Furthermore, since the maintenance opening71is located at a higher position than the axial line T, the plate-like element70does not impinge against the seat lower cross member26even when the plate-like element70is mounted/dismounted through the maintenance opening71. Therefore, the plate-like element70can be readily mounted/dismounted through the space K. Furthermore, the space K does not accommodate any part which is overlapped with the plate-like element70when the plate-like element70is moved in the normal direction of the lid portion72A from the maintenance opening71.

As described above, according to this construction, the space K is secured below the tank-side stay78and the seat36, and also the seat lower cross member26doest not hinder the mounting/dismounting of the lid fastening portions72D and the plate-like element70. Therefore, the maintenance of the plate-like element70can be easily performed. The space K is a space located below the seat36, and no other part is disposed in the space K. Therefore, the height of the seat36can be reduced by the amount corresponding to a space for other parts which are not provided in the space K.

Furthermore, a battery9is disposed outside the space K at the rear side of the seat lower cross member26.

The detailed construction of the air intake device60will be described hereunder.

FIG. 7is a partially cross-sectional side view of the air intake device60.FIG. 8is a plan view showing the lower air cleaner case65. Here,FIG. 8shows the element holder68by a two-dotted chain line together with the lower air cleaner case65.

As shown inFIG. 8, the lower air cleaner case65is formed to be substantially rectangular in plan view, and the width of the lower air cleaner case65is smaller as the position thereof approaches to the rear portion thereof. As indicated by the two-dotted chain line, the element holder68is designed to have substantially the same shape as the lower air cleaner case65in plan view, and secured to the upper portion of the lower air cleaner case65.

As shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, plural lower case fixing portions81which project outward from the wall portion at the outer peripheral side of the lower air cleaner case65are formed on the upper portion of the lower air cleaner case65. Furthermore, plural upper case fixing portions82are formed at the positions corresponding to the lower case fixing portions81on the wall portion at the outer peripheral side of the lower portion of the upper air cleaner case64.

The air cleaner case61is assembled by tightening screws83for fastening the lower case fixing portions81and the upper case fixing portions82under the state that the element holder68is sandwiched between the lower air cleaner case65and the upper air cleaner case64.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 7, a lower surface convex portion84erected downward is provided to the outer edge portion of the lower surface of the element holder68. An upper surface convex portion85erected upward is also provided to the outer edge portion of the upper surface of the element holder68. The lower surface convex portion84and the upper surface convex portion85are formed over the whole periphery of the outer edge portion of the element holder68.

A fitting groove86A in which the lower surface convex portion84of the element holder68is fitted is formed at the upper edge portion of the lower air cleaner case65. A fitting groove86B in which the upper surface convex portion85of the element holder68is fitted is also formed at the lower edge portion of the upper air cleaner case64.

As described above, the element holder68is assembled while the lower surface convex portion84and the upper surface convex portion85are fitted in the fitting grooves86A and86B respectively. Therefore, the element holder68can be surely positioned, and also sealing of the air cleaner case61can be enhanced.

FIG. 9is a side view showing the plate-like element70and the element holder6.FIG. 10is a view showing the plate-like element70and the element holder68when they are viewed from the rear side of the vehicle.

As shown inFIGS. 2,9and10, the plate-like element70has a plate-like frame portion87provided to the upper portion of the plate-like element70, and a plate-like element body portion88which is provided so as to swell out downward from the frame portion87.

A front projection87A projecting forward is formed at the front end of the frame portion87. The front projection87A is provided at each of two places in the width direction of the plate-like element70.

A plate-like flexible portion87B which is formed by bending the rear end of the frame portion87downward is provided to the rear end of the frame portion87, and a rear projection87C projecting rearward is formed on the rear surface of the flexible portion87B. The flexible portion87B can sag forward when it is forward forced by press from the rear side or the like. As shown inFIG. 10, each of the flexible portion87B and the rear projection87C is provided at each of two places in the width direction of the plate-like element70.

Furthermore, as shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, guide rails87D projecting outward are formed on both the side surfaces in the width direction of the frame portion87. The guide rails87D are provided like rails so as to be continuous in the front-and-rear direction of the frame portion87.

The element holder68has the element holding portions69at the lower surface side thereof, and the element holding portion69has a front fitting portion89projecting downward from the front end of the element holder68, and a rear fitting portion90projecting downward from the rear end of the element holder68.

A front hole portion89A in which the front projection87A of the plate-like element70is fitted is formed in the front fitting portion89of the element holder68, and a rear hold portion90A in which the rear projection87C of the plate-like element70is fitted is formed in the rear fitting portion90. As shown inFIG. 10, each of the front fitting portion89and the rear fitting portion90is provided at each of two places in the width direction of the element holder68.

The element holder68has a downward projecting element guide portion91at the intermediate portion in the front-and-rear direction between the front projection87A and the rear fitting portion90. The element guide portion91is formed at a lower position than the position at which the plate-like element70is fixed, and it has a function of holding the plate-like element70when the plate-like element70is mounted/dismounted.

As shown inFIG. 10, a pair of right and left element guide portions91are provided in the width direction, and they have extension portions91A extending downward from the right and left end portions of the element holder68, and guide portions91B formed by bending the respective lower ends of the extension portions91A inwardly in the width direction. The guide portions91B extend in the front-and-rear direction while tilted rearward and upward, and the tilt angle thereof is set to be smaller than the tilt angle of the plate-like element70as shown inFIG. 2.

The guide portion91B of the element holder68is a portion for receiving the guide rail87D of the plate-like element70. That is, the plate-like element70which is set so as to pass between the right and left element guide portions91is pushed into the element holder68while the lower surfaces87E of the guide rails87D slide on the upper surfaces91cof the guide portions91B.

The front projections87A are fitted in the front hole portions89A of the front fitting portions89of the element holder68and then pushed up to a fixing position by the lid-side guide portion72B of the maintenance lid72, and the rear projections87C of the flexible portions87B are fitted in the rear hole portions90A of the rear fitting portions90, whereby the plate-like element70pushed in the element holder68can be fixed. Specifically, the plate-like element70is pushed up by the lid-side guide portion72B under the state that the front projections87A are fitted in the front hole portions89A of the front fitting portions89, and it turns upward around the front hole portions89A and reaches the fixing position. At this fixing position, the plate-like element70is pushed against the front fitting portions89by the tip72F of the lid-side guide portion72B, and also pushed against the lower surface of the element holder68by the upper surface portion72G of the lid-side guide portion72B. Accordingly, the plate-like element70can be brought into close contact with the element holder68, and the dirty side and the clean side can be surely hermetically sealed from each other.

As shown inFIG. 7, the maintenance lid72is secured so as to be turned around the groove portion72E1under the state that the groove portion72E1at the upper portion of the maintenance lid72is hooked to the upper portion71B of the fixing portion71A of the maintenance opening71. Therefore, when the maintenance lid72is secured, the tip of the lid-side guide portion72B moves upward as if it draws an arcuate locus as indicated by a locus X inFIG. 7.

The position of the flexible portion87B of the plate-like element70which has been guided by the element guide portion91and pushed into the element holder68is inside the locus X as indicated by a two-dotted chain line inFIG. 7, and overlapped with the turning range of the lid-side guide portion72B. That is, the plate-like element70is pushed up by the lid-side guide portion72B when the maintenance lid72is attached, whereby the plate-like element70is set up at the fixing position. Accordingly, the plate-like element70can be fixed at the same time when the maintenance lid72is attached.

Furthermore, when the flexible portion87B is pushed up by the lid-side guide portion72B, the rear projections87C comes into contact with the rear fitting portions90, whereby the flexible portions87B bend forward. When the plate-like element70is further pushed up to fit the rear projections87C into the rear hole portions90A, the flexible portions87B are turned to the original state.

Furthermore, the upper portion of the maintenance lid72is fixed when the hook portions72care hooked to the inner wall66B of the upper portion of the air intake duct opening66, and thus a fastening portion using a screw or the like can be eliminated.

Here, the procedure of mounting/dismounting the plate-like element70will be described with reference toFIGS. 2,7,9and10.

When the plate-like element70is mounted, the lock mechanism of the seat36described above is first released to dismount the seat36, and the maintenance lid72is disposed to the outside through the space K. Subsequently, a hand is inserted into the space K to release the fastening of the lid fastening portions72D and remove the lid fastening portions72D and the maintenance lid72. Subsequently, the plate-like element70is inserted from the maintenance opening71to set the plate-like element70in the element holder68. At this time, the plate-like element70is straightly guided in the direction of an arrow ofFIG. 9because the guide rails87D are positionally regulated by the guide portions91B, and thus the front projections87A are surely fitted into the front hole portions89A. Therefore, the plate-like element70can be surely and simply set to an exact position.

Furthermore, by mounting the maintenance lid72at the maintenance opening71, the plate-like element70is pushed to the fixing position by the lid-side guide portion72B, and the rear projections87C are fitted in the rear hole portions90A, whereby the plate-like element70can be perfectly fixed. Thereafter, the lid fastening portions72D may be tightened, and the seat36may be mounted.

When the plate-like element70is dismounted, the maintenance lid72is first detached according to the same procedure as the mounting work. Subsequently, the flexible portions87B located inside the maintenance opening71are pressed to release the fitting between the rear projections87C and the rear hole portions90A. When the fitting between the rear projections87C and the rear hole portions90A is released, the plate-like element70falls under its own weight, and it falls to a position at which it is held by the element guide portions91. Thereafter, the plate-like element70is pulled out from the maintenance opening71through the space K, whereby the plate-like element70can be dismounted. At this time, the guide rails87D are guided to the space K side by the guide portions91B, so that the plate-like element70can be smoothly pulled out.

According to this embodiment, the maintenance opening71and the maintenance lid72are provided so as to face the front portion of the seat36, and also the space K is provided between the maintenance lid72and the seat36. Therefore, by dismounting the seat, the maintenance lid72and the plate-like element72are allowed to be mounted and dismounted through the space K, whereby maintenance can be easily performed. Here, the state that the maintenance lid72faces the seat36means that the normal line of the surface of the lid portion72A is overlapped with at least a part of the seat36in side view. That is, the plate-like element72may be merely mounted/dismounted through the space K along the normal line of the surface of the lid portion72A, and it is unnecessary that the maintenance lid72perfectly faces the seat36.

As described above, according to the embodiment to which the present invention is applied, the plate-like element70is disposed to be tilted rearward and upward, whereby the size of the plate-like element70does not affect the size in the height direction of the air cleaner case61. Therefore, the air cleaner case61can be disposed compactly in the height direction. Accordingly, the air cleaner case61can be disposed to be proximate to the engine12in accordance with the demand characteristic of the engine12, and also the height of the seat36above the air cleaner case61can be reduced. Furthermore, the maintenance lid72is provided so as to face the seat36at the rear side of the fuel tank35. Therefore, even when the air cleaner case61is disposed in proximity to the engine12, the fuel tank35does not hinder, so that the plate-like element70can be dismounted from the seat36side for maintenance with neither displacing nor dismounting the fuel tank35, and thus the maintenance performance can be enhanced. Furthermore, only the space K which the maintenance lid72faces is formed below the seat36, and thus the height of the seat36can be reduced, so that steering performance can be enhanced.

Furthermore, under the state that the seat36is mounted, the maintenance lid72is located below the seat36, and thus it is not viewed from the outside, so that the appearance can be enhanced.

The plate-like element70is disposed in the lower air cleaner case65of the air cleaner case61which is constructed by the upper and lower divisional cases. Therefore, when the plate-like element70is mounted/dismounted, dust adhering to the plate-like element70can be prevented from dropping to the side of the upper air cleaner case64, that is, the clean side, and thus the maintenance performance can be enhanced. Furthermore, the maintenance lid72is disposed at the side of the lower air cleaner case65, that is, the dirty side into which outside air is introduced. Therefore, the air-tightness between the maintenance lid72and the lower air cleaner case65can be relatively easily managed, so that productivity can be enhanced.

Furthermore, when the plate-like element70is inserted or pulled out through the maintenance lid72, the plate-like element70can be guided to the right position by using the element guide portions91of the element holder68, and thus the mounting/dismounting performance of the plate-like element70can be enhanced.

Furthermore, when the maintenance lid72is fixed to the maintenance opening71, the plate-like element70is pushed up by the lid-side guide portion72B and thus the plate-like element is also simultaneously fixed, so that the maintenance performance can be fixed. Furthermore, when the maintenance lid72is detached, the plate-like element70is allowed to drop by its own weight until it reaches the position at which it is held by the element guide portions91, so that the plate-like element70can be easily pulled out.

Still furthermore, the hook portions72care provided to the upper portion of the maintenance lid72, and the upper portion of the maintenance lid72is not fixed by any fastening portion or the like. Therefore, The maintenance lid72can be mounted at the maintenance opening71while turned with groove portion72E1of the maintenance lid72being used as fulcrums, so that the plate-like element70can be pushed up by the lid-side guide portions72B, so that the plate-like element70can be pushed up to the fixing position. Furthermore, the hook portions72C are provided to the upper portion of the maintenance lid72, so that it is not required to provide any fastening part to the upper portion and thus the number of parts of the fastening parts can be reduced. Therefore, the productivity can be enhanced, and the weight saving can be performed.

All the fastening portions of the air cleaner case61to the seat rails20are provided as the case-side fastening portions75, and the case-side fastening portions75are formed integrally with the upper air cleaner case64. Therefore, the position precision of each cases-side fastening portion75can be enhanced, and the productivity can be enhanced. Furthermore, the air cleaner case61can be assembled by tightening the case-side fastening portions75from the upper side of the seat rails20, so that the assembling work can be facilitated and the productivity can be further enhanced.

Furthermore, the wall portion of the upper air cleaner case64on which air intake negative pressure of the engine12acts is designed as the spherical wall portion64D to increase the rigidity of the wall portion, so that the air intake sound caused by the vibration of the wall portion can be reduced.

Still furthermore, the arch-like tank-side stay78is provided to the stay fixing portion35B at the rear side of the fuel tank35, and thus the space K through which the maintenance lid72and the plate-like element70can pass can be secured at the rear side of the fuel tank35. Furthermore, the tank-side stay78also functions as a member for connecting a pair of right and left seat rails20, and thus the strength and rigidity of the seat rails20can be enhanced.

The above embodiment is an example to which the present invention is applied, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

In the above embodiment, the air cleaner case62is constructed by the two upper and lower divisional cases, and has the upper air cleaner case64and the lower air cleaner case65. However, the present invention is not limited to this style. For example, the plate-like element70may be provided in the integrally formed air cleaner case, the air cleaner case may be disposed so that the plate-like element70is tilted rearward and upward, and the maintenance lid provided to the rear portion of the air cleaner case may be provided so as to face the seat36. Furthermore, it is needless to say that the detailed construction of the two-wheeled motor vehicle may be arbitrarily modified.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

10two-wheeled motor vehicle

11vehicle body frame

61air cleaner case

63opening for connecting tube

64upper air cleaner case

65lower air cleaner case

66opening for air intake duct

91element guide portion

WF front wheel

WR rear wheel