Patent ID: 12258096

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description, directions such as front and rear, left and right, and upper and lower (or vertical) are the same as the directions with respect to a vehicle body unless otherwise specified. In the drawings, reference sign FR denotes the front side of the vehicle body, reference sign UP denotes the upper side of the vehicle body, and reference sign LH denotes the left side of the vehicle body.

Embodiment

FIG.1is a side view illustrating a saddle-ride vehicle10according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The saddle-ride vehicle10is a vehicle including a vehicle body frame11, a power unit12supported by the vehicle body frame11, a front fork14supporting a front wheel13in a freely steerable manner, a swingarm16supporting a rear wheel15, and a seat17for a rider.

The saddle-ride vehicle10is a vehicle in which the rider is seated in a straddling manner on the seat17. The seat17is provided on an upper side of a rear portion of the vehicle body frame11.

The vehicle body frame11includes a head pipe18, a front frame19, and a rear frame20. The head pipe18is provided at a front end portion of the vehicle body frame11. The front frame19is located rearward of the head pipe18. The rear frame20is located rearward of the front frame19. A front end portion of the front frame19is connected to the head pipe18.

The seat17is supported by the rear frame20.

The front fork14is supported by the head pipe18in a freely steerable manner in the left-right direction. The front wheel13is supported by an axle13aprovided at a lower end portion of the front fork14. A steering handlebar21gripped by the rider is attached to an upper end portion of the front fork14.

The swingarm16is supported by a pivot shaft22, which is further supported by the vehicle body frame11. The pivot shaft22is a shaft extending horizontally in a vehicle width direction. Insertion of the pivot shaft22is made in a front end portion of the swingarm16. The swingarm16vertically swings about the pivot shaft22.

The rear wheel15is supported by an axle15aprovided at a rear end portion of the swingarm16.

The power unit12is disposed between the front wheel13and the rear wheel15, and is supported by the vehicle body frame11.

The power unit12is an internal combustion engine. The power unit12includes a crankcase23, and a cylinder unit24that houses a reciprocating piston. The cylinder unit24has an exhaust port, to which an exhaust device25is connected.

Output of the power unit12is transmitted to the rear wheel15through a driving force transmitting member connecting the power unit12and the rear wheel15.

The saddle-ride vehicle10also includes a front fender26covering the front wheel13from above, a rear fender27covering the rear wheel15from above, steps28on which the rider places his/her feet, and a fuel tank29storing fuel used by the power unit12.

The front fender26is attached to the front fork14. The rear fender27and the steps28are provided below the seat17. The fuel tank29is supported by the vehicle body frame11.

The front frame19includes a pair of left and right main frames19aextending rearward and downward from the head pipe18, pivot frames19bextending downward from rear end portions of the main frames19a, and a pair of left and right down frames19cextending downward from a position, in the head pipe18, below a front end of the main frames19a.

The saddle-ride vehicle10also includes a vehicle body cover30covering the vehicle body including the vehicle body frame11and the power unit12.

The power unit12has an output shaft12a, which protrudes toward an outer side, in the vehicle width direction, from a rear portion of the crankcase23. A drive sprocket31is fixed to the output shaft12a.

A driven sprocket32is fixed to the rear wheel15(wheel).

The driving force transmitting member is an endless chain33, which connects the drive sprocket31and the driven sprocket32.

A chain cover34covering the chain33from above is attached to the swingarm16.

The saddle-ride vehicle10also includes a cushion unit35stretched between the swingarm16and the vehicle body.

The cushion unit35has a rod shape extending in the vertical direction. An upper end portion of the cushion unit35is connected to the vehicle body. A lower end portion of the cushion unit35is connected to the swingarm16through a link mechanism36.

FIG.2is a left side view illustrating the swingarm16and the rear wheel15.FIG.3is a plan view illustrating the swingarm16and the rear wheel15as viewed from above.

Referring toFIGS.2and3, the swingarm16includes a pair of left and right arm portions41,42, a pivot coupling portion43, and a cross member44. The left and right arm portions41,42extend in a vehicle front-rear direction. The pivot coupling portion43is provided at front end portions of the arm portions41,42. The cross member44connects the left and right arm portions41,42in the vehicle width direction (left-right direction), and this connection is made rearward of the pivot coupling portion43.

The rear wheel15is disposed, rearward of the cross member44, between the left and right arm portions41,42. The rear wheel15is supported by the axle15aconnecting rear end portions of the arm portions41,42in the vehicle width direction.

The driven sprocket32is provided on a side on one of left and right sides (the left side) at the rear wheel15.

The chain33extends in the vehicle front-rear direction along the arm portion41on the one of the left and right sides (the left side).

A chain slider60receiving the chain33is attached to the swingarm16. The chain cover34is provided along the arm portion41.

FIG.4is a plan view illustrating a front portion of the swingarm16as viewed from above.

Referring toFIGS.2to4, the pivot coupling portion43is a cylindrical member extending in the vehicle width direction. The pivot coupling portion43connects the front end portions of the arm portions41,42in the vehicle width direction.

The pivot shaft22is inserted into the cylinder of the pivot coupling portion43. The pivot shaft22supports the pivot coupling portion43through bearings (not illustrated) disposed in the cylinder of the pivot coupling portion43.

The pivot coupling portion43is supported by the pivot shaft22in a state where the pivot coupling portion43is sandwiched between the pair of left and right pivot frames19b(illustrated inFIG.1).

The arm portions41,42linearly extend rearward and downward in vehicle side view.

The left arm portion41includes a front arm portion41aconnected to the pivot coupling portion43, and a rear arm portion41bextending rearward from a rear end of the front arm portion41a.

The arm portion42on the other of the left and right sides (the right side) includes a front arm portion42aconnected to a rear surface of the pivot coupling portion43, and a rear arm portion42bextending rearward from a rear end of the front arm portion42a.

The rear arm portion41band the rear arm portion42bare pipe members extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. The rear arm portion41band the rear arm portion42bare rectangular pipe members manufactured by, for example, metal extrusion or drawing.

A block-shaped end piece45supporting the axle15ais coupled to each of a rear end portion of the rear arm portion41band a rear end portion of the rear arm portion42b.

The swingarm16is formed by joining the pivot coupling portion43, a front hollow member46disposed rearward of the pivot coupling portion43, the rear arm portion41band the rear arm portion42b, and the end pieces45, by means of welding, for example.

The front hollow member46includes the front arm portion41a, the front arm portion42a, and the cross member44.

A front end of the front arm portion41aand a front end of the front arm portion42aare connected to the rear surface of the pivot coupling portion43. The cross member44connects a rear portion of the front arm portion41aand a rear portion of the front arm portion42ain the vehicle width direction.

The front hollow member46is formed in a hollow case shape by vertically joining an upper divided body46aconstituting an upper portion of the front hollow member46, and a lower divided body46bconstituting a lower portion of the front hollow member46. A dividing plane46cof the upper divided body46aand the lower divided body46blinearly extends in an axial direction of the arm portions41,42in vehicle side view.

The upper divided body46aand the lower divided body46bare pressed products manufactured by pressing plate members. The front arm portion41aand the front arm portion42ahave a rectangular pipe shape.

Front end portions of the rear arm portion41band the rear arm portion42bare connected to a rear portion of the front hollow member46. The rear arm portion41band the rear arm portion42bextend rearward from the front hollow member46.

The cross member44is also connected to the front end portion of the rear arm portion41band the front end portion of the rear arm portion42b. Thus, the cross member44connects the rear arm portion41band the rear arm portion42bin the vehicle width direction.

The rear arm portion41band the rear arm portion42bare inclined, in plan view, so as to be located on the outer sides in the vehicle width direction as they extend rearward.

An opening portion47is provided in the front portion of the swingarm16, and is surrounded by the pivot coupling portion43, the cross member44, and the left and right front arm portions41a,42a.

A link connection portion44a, to which the link mechanism36is connected, is provided on a lower surface of the cross member44.

The cushion unit35(illustrated inFIG.1) passes through the opening portion47and extends downward of the swingarm16, and is connected to the link mechanism36.

Referring toFIG.4, holes51a,51bare provided on an upper surface41cof the arm portion41. The hole51aon a front side is provided in the front arm portion41a. The hole51bon a rear side is provided in the rear arm portion41b.

An engagement piece44bprotruding upward is provided, in the vicinity of the arm portion41, on an upper surface of the cross member44.

A protruding portion52protruding toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction is provided on an outer side surface41d(side surface), in the vehicle width direction, of the arm portion41. The protruding portion52is provided on a portion of the upper divided body46a, in the front arm portion41a.

The protruding portion52is a cylindrical shaft extending in the vehicle width direction.

On an outer periphery of the protruding portion52, an annular groove portion52ais provided so as to run around the outer periphery. The groove portion52ais provided at an intermediate portion in an axial direction of the protruding portion52.

A screw hole52bis provided on an inner periphery of the protruding portion52.

The pivot coupling portion43has a cylindrical shape, and thus a front surface43aof the pivot coupling portion43has an arc shape. The front surface43ais also a front surface of the swingarm16.

Referring toFIGS.2to4, the swingarm16includes an engagement projection55protruding frontward (or outward) from the front surface43a(or surface). The engagement projection55has a plate shape, and is disposed such that a plate thickness direction thereof coincides with the vehicle width direction.

The engagement projection55includes a frontward extending portion56extending frontward from the front surface43a, and a claw portion57protruding in the vertical direction from a front end portion of the frontward extending portion56.

The claw portion57includes an upper claw portion57aprotruding upward from the frontward extending portion56, and a lower claw portion57bprotruding downward from the frontward extending portion56.

The engagement projection55is disposed at the same position, in the vehicle width direction, as that of the front end portion of the left arm portion41.

Referring toFIGS.1and2, an upper portion33aof the chain33extends frontward and rearward along and above the upper surface41cof the arm portion41.

A lower portion33bof the chain33extends frontward and rearward along and below a lower surface41eof the arm portion41.

When the saddle-ride vehicle10is driven by driving force of the power unit12, the upper portion33amoves frontward and the lower portion33bmoves rearward.

The upper portion33aoverlaps with the upper surface41cfrom above, and the lower portion33boverlaps with the lower surface41efrom below.

Referring toFIGS.2and3, the chain cover34includes an outer wall portion34a, an inner wall portion34b, and an upper wall portion34c. The outer wall portion34acovers the upper portion33aof the chain33from the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The inner wall portion34bcovers the upper portion33afrom an inner side in the vehicle width direction. The upper wall portion34cconnects an upper end of the outer wall portion34aand an upper end of the inner wall portion34bin the vehicle width direction.

An attachment portion34dis provided in a lower front end portion of the outer wall portion34a, and is attached to the swingarm16.

The attachment portion34dis fastened to an outer end surface of the protruding portion52of the arm portion41by a fastener48inserted into a hole of the attachment portion34dfrom the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The fastener48is screwed into the screw hole52bof the protruding portion52.

The chain cover34is fixed to the swingarm16further by engaging a lower end portion of the inner wall portion34bwith the engagement piece44b.

Further, a rear end portion of the chain cover34is fastened to a stay41f(illustrated inFIG.2) provided in a rear end portion of the arm portion41.

FIG.5is a plan view illustrating the swingarm16to which the chain slider60has been attached, as viewed from above.FIG.6is a left side view illustrating the chain slider60.FIG.7is a perspective view illustrating the chain slider60as viewed from the inner side in the vehicle width direction.

Referring toFIGS.2and5to7, the chain slider60is attached to the left arm portion41.

The chain slider60receives the chain33in the vertical direction, and has sliding contact with the chain33. The chain slider60protects the arm portion41from the chain33. The chain slider60is formed of a material having low friction with respect to the chain33such that the chain33travels smoothly.

The chain slider60is integrally provided with an upper slider portion61, a lower slider portion62, and a vertical connection portion63. The upper slider portion61is attached to the upper surface41cof the arm portion41. The lower slider portion62is attached to the lower surface41eof the arm portion41. The vertical connection portion63vertically connects a rear end portion61aof the upper slider portion61and a rear end portion62aof the lower slider portion62.

The chain slider60has an open loop shape in which a front end portion61bof the upper slider portion61and a front end portion62bof the lower slider portion62are formed to be separable from each other.

The upper slider portion61has a band shape extending long in the vehicle front-rear direction along the upper surface41c. A lower surface of the upper slider portion61abuts on the upper surface41c.

The lower slider portion62has a band shape extending long in the vehicle front-rear direction along the lower surface41e. An upper surface of the lower slider portion62abuts on the lower surface41e.

The vertical connection portion63has a band shape vertically extending long along an inner side surface41g, in the vehicle width direction, of the arm portion41.

The vertical connection portion63vertically connects an end portion on the inner side, in the vehicle width direction, in the rear end portion61aof the upper slider portion61, and an end portion on the inner side, in the vehicle width direction, in the rear end portion62aof the lower slider portion62.

The front end portion61bof the upper slider portion61is disposed along the front surface43aof the pivot coupling portion43. The front end portion61bof the upper slider portion61extends frontward and downward while being curved in an arc shape along the front surface43a. A lower end61cof the front end portion61bis located below a center43b(illustrated inFIG.2) of the pivot coupling portion43, in vehicle side view. The center43bis a swinging center of the swingarm16.

The front end portion62bof the lower slider portion62is disposed along the front surface43aof the pivot coupling portion43. The front end portion62bof the lower slider portion62extends frontward and upward while being curved in an arc shape along the front surface43a. An upper end62cof the front end portion62bis located above the center43b, in vehicle side view.

The front end portion61bof the upper slider portion61and the front end portion62bof the lower slider portion62can overlap and contact with each other.

As illustrated inFIGS.6and7, the chain slider60alone is formed in a loop shape by the upper slider portion61, the vertical connection portion63, and the lower slider portion62with overlapping of the front end portion61band the front end portion62b.

However, when the chain slider60is alone, the front end portion61band the front end portion62bare actually not connected, and thus are separated. That is, the chain slider60has an open loop shape in which the front end portion61band the front end portion62bare not connected.

The chain slider60is formed of an elastomer such as rubber, or synthetic resin, and thus is highly flexible. Therefore, the chain slider60can be easily deformed to separate the front end portion61band the front end portion62b.

The loop shape of the chain slider60is a rectangular shape extending long in the vehicle front-rear direction, in vehicle side view.

Referring toFIGS.2and5to7, the front end portion61bof the upper slider portion61and the front end portion62bof the lower slider portion62overlap with each other, in the vehicle front-rear direction, in front of the front surface43aof the pivot coupling portion43.

Specifically, the front end portion62bof the lower slider portion62is sandwiched between the front surface43aof the pivot coupling portion43and the front end portion61bof the upper slider portion61. That is, the front end portion62bof the lower slider portion62covers the front surface43aof the pivot coupling portion43from a front side of the front surface43a. Simultaneously, the front end portion61bof the upper slider portion61covers the front end portion62bof the lower slider portion62from a front side of the front end portion62b.

The front end portion61bof the upper slider portion61is provided with an outer engagement hole61dpenetrating through the front end portion61bin a plate thickness direction thereof. In a state illustrated inFIG.2, the outer engagement hole61dpenetrates through the front end portion61bin the vehicle front-rear direction. The outer engagement hole61dis a slit-shaped hole that is long in the vertical direction.

The front end portion62bof the lower slider portion62is provided with an inner engagement hole62dpenetrating through the front end portion62bin a plate thickness direction thereof. In the state illustrated inFIG.2, the inner engagement hole62dpenetrates through the front end portion62bin the vehicle front-rear direction. The inner engagement hole62dis a slit-shaped hole that is long in the vertical direction.

The inner engagement hole62dis larger than the outer engagement hole61din the vertical direction and in the vehicle width direction.

The inner engagement hole62dand the outer engagement hole61dcommunicate with each other. The engagement projection55engages with the inner engagement hole62dand the outer engagement hole61d.

Referring toFIGS.2,6, and7, the chain slider60includes upper positioning portions65(positioning portions) and lower positioning portions66(positioning portions). The upper positioning portions65and the lower positioning portions66abut on the outer side surface41d, in the vehicle width direction, of the arm portion41.

The upper positioning portions65are projections extending downward from the lower surface of the upper slider portion61. The lower surface of the upper slider portion61forms an inner peripheral surface60aof the looped chain slider60.

The upper positioning portions65are disposed close to the outer side, in the vehicle width direction, on the lower surface of the upper slider portion61. The multiple upper positioning portions65are provided in a front portion of the upper slider portion61such that the upper positioning portions65are aligned in the front-rear direction.

The upper positioning portions65are disposed between the pivot coupling portion43and the chain cover34in the vehicle front-rear direction. The upper positioning portions65abut on an upper portion of the outer side surface41din the front arm portion41a.

The lower positioning portions66are projections extending upward from the upper surface of the lower slider portion62. The upper surface of the lower slider portion62forms the inner peripheral surface60a.

The lower positioning portions66are disposed close to the outer side, in the vehicle width direction, on the upper surface of the lower slider portion62. The multiple lower positioning portions66are provided in a front portion of the lower slider portion62such that the lower positioning portions66are aligned in the front-rear direction.

The lower positioning portions66are disposed between the pivot coupling portion43and the chain cover34in the vehicle front-rear direction. The lower positioning portions66abut on a lower portion of the outer side surface41din the front arm portion41a.

The chain slider60also includes an extending portion67extending upward from the upper surface of the lower slider portion62. The extending portion67is a vertically long plate-shaped portion.

The extending portion67is disposed close to the outer side, in the vehicle width direction, on the upper surface of the lower slider portion62. The extending portion67is provided in an intermediate portion between the front portion and a rear portion of the lower slider portion62, and is located rearward of the lower positioning portions66.

The extending portion67is located on the outer side, in the vehicle width direction, of the outer side surface41dof the arm portion41. The extending portion67extends upward along the outer side surface41d. The extending portion67includes a fixed portion68at an upper end portion thereof. The fixed portion68is fixed to the protruding portion52of the arm portion41. The fixed portion68is proximate to the upper slider portion61from below.

The fixed portion68includes a hole portion68apenetrating through the fixed portion68in the vehicle width direction, and an annular guide surface68bprovided around the hole portion68a.

The fixed portion68is attached to the protruding portion52by inserting the protruding portion52into the hole portion68a. The hole portion68aengages with the groove portion52aon the outer periphery of the protruding portion52.

The guide surface68bis a surface facing the outer side surface41dof the arm portion41from the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The guide surface68bhas a tapered shape whose diameter decreases toward a tip end of the protruding portion52.

When the fixed portion68is fitted to the protruding portion52, the tapered guide surface68breceives the tip end portion of the protruding portion52. Thus, it is possible to easily fit the fixed portion68to the protruding portion52.

The chain slider60further includes upper projections69a,69bprotruding downward from the lower surface of the upper slider portion61, and a lower projection70protruding upward from the upper surface of the lower slider portion62.

The upper projection69ais provided in the front portion of the upper slider portion61. The upper projection69bis provided in a rear portion of the upper slider portion61. The upper projections69a,69bare located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the upper positioning portions65. The upper projection69aengages with the hole51a(illustrated inFIG.4) of the arm portion41, and the upper projection69bengages with the hole51b.

The lower projection70is provided in the front portion of the lower slider portion62. The lower projection70is located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the lower positioning portions66.

The lower projection70engages with a hole (not illustrated) provided on the lower surface41eof the arm portion41.

Here, an example of a procedure for attaching the chain slider60to the swingarm16will be described.

First, the upper slider portion61and the lower slider portion62are opened in the vertical direction. Thus, the chain slider60is placed in a state where the front end portion61band the front end portion62bare separated from each other in the vertical direction.

Next, the chain slider60is placed on the arm portion41. This placement is made in such a manner that the front end portion61band the front end portion62bpass the cross member44and the arm portion41while the cross member44and the arm portion41are interposed between the front end portion61band the front end portion62b.

The upper slider portion61is fixed to the upper surface41cof the arm portion41by engaging the upper projections69a,69bwith the holes51a,51b, respectively.

The upper slider portion61is positioned in the vehicle width direction by abutment of the upper positioning portions65on the outer side surface41dof the arm portion41from the outer side in the vehicle width direction.

The lower slider portion62is fixed to the lower surface41eof the arm portion41by engaging the lower projection70with the above-described hole on the lower surface41e.

The lower slider portion62is positioned in the vehicle width direction by abutment of the lower positioning portions66on the outer side surface41dof the arm portion41from the outer side in the vehicle width direction.

Further, the lower slider portion62is fixed to the protruding portion52of the arm portion41by engaging the fixed portion68of the extending portion67with the groove portion52aof the protruding portion52. The fixed portion68is retained so as not to come off by the attachment portion34d, fastened to the outer end surface of the protruding portion52, of the chain cover34.

The chain slider60is positioned in the vehicle width direction and in the vehicle front-rear direction by abutment of the vertical connection portion63on the inner side surface41gof the arm portion41. Since the inner side surface41gis inclined so as to be located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction as it extends rearward, the vertical connection portion63can be positioned in the vehicle width direction and in the vehicle front-rear direction. The vertical connection portion63is located rearward of the cross member44.

The front end portion61bof the upper slider portion61and the front end portion62bof the lower slider portion62are located in front of the front surface43aof the pivot coupling portion43. An overlapping portion71, in which the front end portion61band the front end portion62boverlap with each other, is formed on the front surface43a.

In the overlapping portion71, the front end portion61band the front end portion62boverlap with each other in the vehicle front-rear direction. Specifically, the front end portion61boverlaps with the front end portion62bfrom the front side of the front end portion62b. In the overlapping portion71, the plate thickness of the front end portion61bis smaller than the plate thickness of the front end portion62b.

The engagement projection55on the front surface43aof the pivot coupling portion43engages with the inner engagement hole62dand the outer engagement hole61dfrom a rear side, in the overlapping portion71.

The engagement projection55passes frontward through the inner engagement hole62dand the outer engagement hole61d. Then, the claw portion57in a tip end portion of the engagement projection55protrudes frontward with respect to the front end portion61b. The claw portion57is inserted into the outer engagement hole61dso as to vertically expand the outer engagement hole61d.

A vertical width of the claw portion57is larger than a vertical width of the outer engagement hole61d. Thus, the front end portion61band the front end portion62bcan be retained so as not to come off from the engagement projection55by the claw portion57.

The front end portion61band the front end portion62bare connected to each other by engaging the engagement projection55with the inner engagement hole62dand the outer engagement hole61d. In this state, the shape of the chain slider60is changed into a closed loop shape. The closed looped chain slider60is positioned in the vehicle front-rear direction by abutment of the front end portion61band the front end portion62bon the front surface43aof the pivot coupling portion43.

The engagement projection55having engaged with the inner engagement hole62dand the outer engagement hole61dpositions the overlapping portion71in the vehicle front-rear direction, in the vehicle width direction, and in the vertical direction.

The chain slider60alone has an open loop shape in which the front end portion61band the front end portion62bare separable. Thus, the chain slider60can be attached to the swingarm16even when the rear wheel15has been mounted on the swingarm16.

In contrast, the chain slider60has a closed loop shape when the engagement projection55engages with the front end portion61band the front end portion62b. Thus, the chain slider60is firmly fixed to the swingarm16so as to be wound around the swingarm16.

Therefore, the number can be reduced regarding the holes51a,51bengaged by the upper projections69a,69b, and the above-described hole engaged by the lower projection70. Thus, rigidity of the swingarm16can be improved.

Referring toFIGS.1and2, the overlapping portion71and the engagement projection55are disposed between the upper portion33aand the lower portion33bof the chain33in the vertical direction, and are disposed between the drive sprocket31and the pivot coupling portion43in the vehicle front-rear direction. Thus, the overlapping portion71and the engagement projection55are located far from the traveling route of the chain33. Therefore, the chain33can avoid contact with the overlapping portion71and the engagement projection55, and thus the chain slider60can be appropriately fixed to the swingarm16. Further, the overlapping portion71and the engagement projection55do not interfere with the traveling of the chain33.

As described above, according to the embodiment to which the present invention is applied, the saddle-ride vehicle10includes the swingarm16that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction and that swingably supports the rear wheel15, the chain33that is disposed along the upper surface41cand the lower surface41eof the swingarm16and that transmits the driving force of the power unit12to the rear wheel15, and the chain slider60that is attached to the swingarm16and that has sliding contact with the chain33. The chain slider60is integrally provided with the upper slider portion61that is attached to the upper surface41cof the swingarm16, the lower slider portion62that is attached to the lower surface41eof the swingarm16, and the vertical connection portion63that vertically connects the rear end portion61aof the upper slider portion61and the rear end portion62aof the lower slider portion62, while the chain slider60has an open loop shape in which the front end portion61bof the upper slider portion61and the front end portion62bof the lower slider portion62are formed to be separable from each other. The swingarm16has the engagement projection55that is provided in the front portion of the swingarm16and that protrudes outward from the surface of the swingarm16. The front end portion61bof the upper slider portion61and the front end portion62bof the lower slider portion62engage with the engagement projection55in the state where the front end portion61bof the upper slider portion61and the front end portion62bof the lower slider portion62overlap with each other.

According to this configuration, when the open looped chain slider60is attached to the swingarm16, the front end portion61bof the upper slider portion61and the front end portion62bof the lower slider portion62engage with the engagement projection55in the state where the front end portion61bof the upper slider portion61and the front end portion62bof the lower slider portion62overlap with each other. Then, the shape of the chain slider60is changed into a closed loop shape. Thus, when the attachment is performed, the open looped chain slider60is engaged with the swingarm16. Therefore, the chain slider60can be easily attached to and detached from the swingarm16without detaching the rear wheel15. Further, after the chain slider60is engaged with the engagement projection55, the shape of the chain slider60is changed into a closed loop shape. Thus, the chain slider60can be fixed to the swingarm16without bolt fastening, or engagement made through a large number of engagement portions. This eliminates the need to provide, in the swingarm16, a large number of hole portions for fastening or engagement. Therefore, this configuration easily ensures rigidity of the swingarm16, increases a degree of freedom in shape of the swingarm16, and contributes to downsizing.

Further, the front end portion61bof the upper slider portion61engages with the engagement projection55while the front end portion61bof the upper slider portion61overlaps, from the outer side of the front end portion62bof the lower slider portion62, with the front end portion62bof the lower slider portion62that engages with the engagement projection55.

According to this configuration, the front end portion61bof the upper slider portion61overlaps with the front end portion62bof the lower slider portion62from the outer side. Thus, a connecting portion between the front end portion61bof the upper slider portion61and the front end portion62bof the lower slider portion62is hardly seen from above. Therefore, appearance is improved. In addition, dust, water, and the like hardly enter between the front end portion61bof the upper slider portion61and the front end portion62bof the lower slider portion62from above. Thus, the chain slider60has a high antifouling property.

Further, the vertical connection portion63abuts on the inner side surface41g, in the vehicle width direction, of the swingarm16.

According to this configuration, the rear end portions of the chain slider60can be positioned in the vehicle width direction and in the front-rear direction by the vertical connection portion63. In addition, the vertical connection portion63is covered by the swingarm16from the outer side in the vehicle width direction. Thus, appearance is improved.

Further, the chain slider60includes the upper positioning portions65and the lower positioning portions66as positioning portions that abut on the outer side surface41d, in the vehicle width direction, of the swingarm16.

According to this configuration, the chain slider60can be positioned in the vehicle width direction by the upper positioning portions65and the lower positioning portions66.

In addition, the chain slider60includes the extending portion67that is provided frontward of the vertical connection portion63. The extending portion67extends, along the outer side surface41dof the swingarm16, from the lower slider portion62. The extending portion67engages with the protruding portion52that is provided on the outer side surface41d.

According to this configuration, the extending portion67engages with the protruding portion52on the outer side surface41dof the swingarm16. Thus, the chain slider60can be positioned also on the outer side surface in the width direction without providing a hole portion in the swingarm16.

The extending portion67includes the hole portion68ainto which the protruding portion52is inserted, and the annular guide surface68bthat is provided around the hole portion68a. The groove portion52ais provided on the outer periphery of the protruding portion52. The hole portion68aengages with the groove portion52a, and the guide surface68bhas a tapered shape whose diameter decreases toward the tip end of the protruding portion52.

According to this configuration, the hole portion68aof the extending portion67engages with the groove portion52aon the outer periphery of the protruding portion52. Thus, the chain slider60can be positioned in the front-rear direction, in the vehicle width direction, and in the vertical direction. In addition, the guide surface68bhas a tapered shape, and thus the hole portion68acan be easily attached to the protruding portion52.

The chain cover34that covers the chain33from above is provided, and the chain cover34includes the attachment portion34dthat is attached to the protruding portion52. The extending portion67is retained so as not to come off by the attachment portion34d.

According to this configuration, the extending portion67of the chain slider60can be supported by using the protruding portion52to which the chain cover34is attached. Further, the extending portion67can be retained so as not to come off with a simple structure using the attachment portion34dof the chain cover34.

The engagement projection55protrudes frontward from the front surface43aof the swingarm16.

According to this configuration, the engagement projection55is provided on the front surface43aof the swingarm16. Thus, the engagement projection55does not interfere with the chain33that is disposed along the upper surface41cand the lower surface41eof the swingarm16. Therefore, the engagement projection55can be provided without causing any influence on the chain33.

Further, in the overlapping portion71where the front end portion61bof the upper slider portion61and the front end portion62bof the lower slider portion62overlap with each other, the front end portions61b,62boverlap with each other, in the vehicle front-rear direction, in front of the front surface43aof the swingarm16.

According to this configuration, the overlapping portion71can be spaced apart from the chain33that is disposed along the upper surface41cand the lower surface41eof the swingarm16. Thus, contact of the chain33with the overlapping portion71can be prevented.

The above embodiment illustrates one aspect to which the present invention is applied, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

In the above embodiment, a description has been made in a case where the extending portion67extends from the lower slider portion62. However, the extending portion67may extend from at least one of the upper slider portion61or the lower slider portion62. For example, the extending portion67may extend downward from the upper slider portion61.

In the above embodiment, an example has been illustrated in which the saddle-ride vehicle10is a motorcycle. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to a three-wheeled saddle-ride vehicle including two front wheels or two rear wheels, and a saddle-ride vehicle including four or more wheels.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

10saddle-ride vehicle12power unit15rear wheel (wheel)16swingarm33chain34chain cover34dattachment portion41cupper surface41douter side surface (side surface)41elower surface41ginner side surface43afront surface52protruding portion52agroove portion55engagement projection60chain slider61upper slider portion61arear end portion61bfront end portion62lower slider portion62arear end portion62bfront end portion63vertical connection portion65upper positioning portion (positioning portion)66lower positioning portion (positioning portion)67extending portion68ahole portion68bguide surface71overlapping portion