Arranged In Tandem Patents (Class 180/219)
  • Patent number: 8882128
    Abstract: Stay members to which various parts are to be attached are provided at a rear portion of a motorcycle, and stay supporting portions that support the stay members are provided on a vehicle body frame. The various parts include side bag supporting members and a carrier member. The side bag supporting members and the carrier member are fastened together to the stay members by a plurality of fastening members, and the stay members to which the side bag supporting members and the carrier member are fastened together are fastened to the stay supporting portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoji Komatsu, Shinichi Karube, Shin Yokoyama, Kaori Inada, Tomoki Fusano, Takaaki Kasai
  • Patent number: 8886426
    Abstract: A power-assisted bicycle includes a bicycle body with a power assistance provider and a derailleur, a microcomputer, a gear-shift control driver, and sensors. When the microcomputer decides to perform gear shifting, it controls the power assistance provider to provide an assistant power output and the gear-shift control driver to drive the derailleur to shift gears properly subject to a before-shifting time period, an in-shifting time period and an after-shifting time period. Further, the microcomputer controls the power assistance provider to change the current assistant power to a predetermined low assistant power during the before-shifting time period, or to maintain the predetermined low assistant power during the in-shifting time period, or to change the assistant power output to a level higher than the current assistant power and then to return to the said current assistant power after the end of the after-shifting time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: J.D. Components Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chi-Chang Cheng
  • Patent number: 8870207
    Abstract: A pivotable passenger peg assembly that is mountable to a motorcycle includes an elongate arm with a cylindrical opening. The elongate arm is pivotally mounted on a first cylindrical member that is mountable to a motorcycle. The first cylindrical member is configured with a stepped outer cylindrical surface that cooperates with a detent formed within the cylindrical opening of the arm to limit the pivotal range of the arm. The first cylindrical member may be incorporated into a motorcycle mount or may be adapted to attach to a motorcycle mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Kuryakyn Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Parvey
  • Patent number: 8869926
    Abstract: A fuel supply structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle wherein fuel supplied from a fuel tank to a fuel injection valve is supplied via fuel supply parts supported by a body frame having a single main frame extending rearwardly in a vehicle body from a head pipe with a pendent part being curved and extending downwardly in the vehicle body at a rear end of the main frame. Center frames extend in a lateral direction of the vehicle body from a halfway part in a vertical direction of the vehicle body of the pendent part and being provided with frame overhanged parts extending diagonally downwardly and extending further downwardly. The fuel supply parts are provided in an inside space enclosed by the center frames and the pendent part and in an overhanged part upside space on the upsides of the frame overhanged parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junji Higashiyama
  • Patent number: 8864157
    Abstract: A rear portion structure for a saddle vehicle includes a wide accommodation space for accommodating parts therein while improving the foot grounding property of a rider. A rear fender of a motorcycle has a bottom wall disposed on the inner side of a rear frame in the vehicle widthwise direction, and left and right side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall. An accommodation space for accommodating a part therein is formed from the bottom wall and the left and right side walls. Left and right first bending portions which individually extend in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and at which the left and right side walls can individually be bent with respect to the bottom wall are formed between the bottom wall and the left and right side walls. The left and right side walls are inclined inwardly and upwardly along the inner side of the rear frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyoshi Tsutsui, Yoichi Nishida
  • Patent number: 8857553
    Abstract: A radiator hose layout structure for a saddle type vehicle by which radiator hoses can be arranged while enhancing cooling efficiency of a radiator. Longitudinal wall parts projecting forward are provided at vehicle-width-directionally both end portions of an exhaust air guide. The front ends of the longitudinal wall parts are provided rearwardly of the radiator. An exhaust air passage for letting exhaust air from the radiator flow therethrough is provided between the longitudinal wall parts. A lower radiator hose and an upper radiator hose are arranged on the vehicle-width-directionally outer side of the longitudinal wall parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Nakamura, Hiroyuki Sasazawa
  • Patent number: 8857556
    Abstract: In an arrangement structure of a canister disposed near a cylinder of an internal combustion engine of a motorcycle, the motorcycle including a left and right pair of frames, extending rearwardly from a head pipe, for suspending the internal combustion engine laterally, to enable protection of the canister without involving an increase in the number of parts of a protective member. The canister is disposed between the frames and the internal combustion engine so as to overlap at least partly with the pair of frames in a side view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shin Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8857552
    Abstract: A motorcycle with V-type engine employs a turbocharger and necessary components arranged in an advantageous layout such that it does not interfere with the rider's legs or feet. The turbocharger system includes a turbocharger positioned fore of the front cylinder, aft of the front wheel, and below the front exhaust port. The rear cylinder exhaust pipe routes on a horizontal plane adjacent to the lower area of the cylinders, as to not interfere with the rider's legs or feet. The turbocharger lubrication system includes a vented oil holding tank fastened to the turbocharger's oil outlet port, in conjunction with an electric pump to transfer the oil from the holding tank back to the engine crankcase for the reason that the level of the turbocharger oil outlet is lower than the level of the engine's oil sump level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventor: Jeffrey David Oltmans
  • Publication number: 20140299400
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes a front wheel drive train that supplies power to a front wheel and a rear wheel drive train that supplies power to a rear wheel. The front wheel drive train is configured to drive the front wheel at a selected rate that is faster than a rate at which the rear wheel drive train drives the rear wheel. Driving the front wheel at the selected faster rate relative to the rear wheel provides enhanced steering capabilities in soft terrain, as the front wheel pulls the motorcycle in a direction that the front wheel is pointed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Martin E. Lawson, William E. Lawson
  • Patent number: 8851230
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes an exhaust chamber (82), having defined therein a chamber expansion compartment (90) for exhaust gases, and a muffler (84) having defined therein muffler expansion compartments (92, 94, 96) for the exhaust gases on a downstream side of the exhaust chamber (82). Respective outer peripheral walls of the exhaust chamber (82) and the muffler (84) are formed by a common casing (69). The exhaust chamber (82) is positioned intermediate between a motorcycle combustion engine (E) and a motorcycle rear wheel (22). The exhaust chamber (82) has an inner side surface positioned laterally inwardly of an outer side surface (22a) of the rear wheel (22) in a motorcycle body widthwise direction, and the muffler (84) has a rear portion positioned laterally outwardly of the rear wheel (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masashi Ono, Toshiyuki Tsubone, Yota Katsukawa, Satoshi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8851496
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes a first frame having a steering head and a first mount, an engine-transmission assembly coupled to the first frame, a steering assembly pivotably coupled to the steering head, a front wheel rotatably coupled to the steering assembly, a swing arm assembly pivotably coupled to the first frame, a rear wheel rotatably coupled to the swing arm assembly, a second frame having a second mount coupled to the first mount with a threaded fastener, and a suspension component having a first end coupled to the swing arm assembly and a second end coupled to the second frame. Forces exerted by the suspension component on the first frame are directed through the second frame and the second mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, LLC
    Inventor: Joshua Hedtke
  • Patent number: 8851222
    Abstract: A motorcycle is disclosed. The motorcycle includes a link member, a coupling rod, a first lever and a second lever. The link member is rotatably connected to a second end of a rear suspension via a first shaft, and is rotatably connected to a rear arm via a second shaft. A second end portion of the coupling rod is connected to a third shaft so as to rotate together with the third shaft. The first lever is connected to the third shaft so as to rotate together with the third shaft. The second lever is rotatably connected to the second shaft, and restricts the rotation of the first lever when engaged with the first lever. The second lever is provided with a torsion spring for providing a force for rotating the second lever around the second shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehisa Katsura, Toshiharu Nakajima
  • Patent number: 8851221
    Abstract: A motorcycle defines a riding position in which positions are provided for the rider's feet that are located behind the engine and in front of the rear tyre (23) in the direction of travel, in which positions the distance between the inner sides of the rider's feet may be less than the width of the rear tyre (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Spirit Motorcycle Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Anthony Richard Glover
  • Publication number: 20140291049
    Abstract: A motorized vehicle for a rider standing with one foot in front of the other, having at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel. Load sensing means for sensing the amount of weight on each of the rider's feet are attached to or incorporated into the surfaces upon which the rider stands. An electronic control system detects when the distribution of weight between the rider's front and rear feet deviates from a certain ratio, and directs the motor to accelerate or decelerate in order to correct the change and restore the desired weight ratio. In this way the rider can control the speed of the vehicle by shifting her weight forward or backward. The front wheel is steerable by the rider's front foot. Leg contact surfaces facilitate stability as well as precision and control. Another control method is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventor: Shane Chen
  • Patent number: 8844666
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes a vehicle body frame having a head pipe axially supporting a steering shaft and a main frame extending rearwardly and downwardly therefrom. A down tube extends downwardly. An internal combustion engine is supported by the vehicle body frame with a cylinder extending upward from a crankcase. A fuel tank is arranged on the upper side of the main frame. An air-intake apparatus is configured to supply air to the internal combustion engine wherein an evaporable fuel storage container is configured to store evaporating fuel generated in the fuel tank and supply the evaporating fuel to an air-intake apparatus when the internal combustion engine is in operation is arranged in a space on the rear side of an upper portion of the down tube, the lower side of the fuel tank, and on the front side or on the upper side of the cylinder of the internal engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naohiro Ashida
  • Patent number: 8844668
    Abstract: A combined heat shield and wire-holding structure for a saddle-type vehicle, where the vehicle includes a pair of right and left frame sections extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction, and a fuel tank disposed above the vehicle body frame sections. The combined heat shield and wire-holding structure comprises a heat shield, which is disposed below the fuel tank and which extends between the right and left body frame sections. The combined heat shield and wire-holding structure includes a wire-holding portion which extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction outside of the vehicle body frame, and the wire-holding portion holds a wiring harness routed through an inside portion of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Oshima, Masayuki Hojo
  • Patent number: 8839896
    Abstract: A saddle type vehicle includes a vehicle body frame with an engine and a seat supported on the vehicle body frame, a fuel tank disposed below the seat for storing fuel for the engine, a fuel pump disposed at a lower portion of the fuel tank for supplying the fuel to the engine, a regulator disposed below the fuel tank, a heat guard member disposed between the regulator and the fuel pump for blocking heat transfer, and a rear fender disposed below the regulator. By this structure the fuel tank need not be swollen downwardly by a great amount, and shaping of the fuel tank is facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Oshima, Hironori Nozawa, Shuto Higashizuru
  • Publication number: 20140262582
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes an engine, a first main frame extending in top-to-bottom and front-to-rear directions with respect to the vehicle to support the engine, a first rear frame extending from the first main frame rearwardly with respect to the vehicle and connected with the first main frame in at least two locations, an exhaust pipe that discharges exhaust gases from the engine to the outside, and a silencer attached to a rear portion of the exhaust pipe, at least a portion of the silencer being located below the first rear frame. A rear portion of the silencer is connected with the first rear frame. At least one of a front portion of the silencer and the exhaust pipe is connected with the first main frame below the first rear frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuki MURAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20140262581
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, an engine, a steering assembly, a steerable wheel, a flywheel assembly, and a controller. The frame has a front end and a rear end and defines a roll axis extending between the front end and the rear end. The engine is supported by the frame. The steering assembly is pivotally coupled with the frame and is pivotable about a steering axis. The steerable wheel is rotatably coupled with the steering assembly. The flywheel assembly comprises an inertial mass and is coupled with the frame. The inertial mass is rotatable about a flywheel axis. The controller is in communication with the flywheel assembly and is configured to facilitate rotation of the inertial mass in one of a counterclockwise direction and a clockwise direction in response to pivoting of the steering assembly in a leftward direction and a rightward direction, respectively. Methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Joseph P. W. Whinnery
  • Patent number: 8833785
    Abstract: A clamping system for a vehicle fork with a suspension system features a lower triple clamp (24) and an upper support (25), the lower triple clamp (24) having a lower plate (242) and a fork shaft (240) to be mounted in a way that enables it to pivot on the vehicle frame (23), the lower plate (242) having two lower housings (241a, 241b) to receive two shock absorbers (21a, 21b) set parallel to one another and in front of the fork shaft (240). The clamping system (2) includes fitting devices to assemble the upper support (25) on the fork shaft (240) and stiffening devices (26a, 26b) set apart from the fork shaft (240) to maintain the relative orientations of the lower triple clamp (24) and the upper support (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Eurl Stephane Wagner Mecanique
    Inventor: Stéphane Wagner
  • Patent number: 8813898
    Abstract: A method for stabilizing a two-wheeled motor vehicle includes determining a current pitch angle of the motor vehicle, and limiting the pitch angle to a specified boundary pitch angle by an intervention using an intervention component of the motor vehicle causing the longitudinal acceleration of the motor vehicle to be influenced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Marcus Wagner
  • Patent number: 8807259
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes a seat supported on a pair of seat frames of a vehicle body frame. A rear wheel is disposed under the pair of seat frames in a side view of the motorcycle, and is swingable in an up-down direction. A damper includes a hydraulic jack to adjust the vehicle height. The pump unit includes a hydraulic pump to feed oil to the hydraulic jack and a vehicle height adjusting motor to drive the hydraulic pump. The vehicle height adjusting motor is located under the seat, and disposed between the pair of seat frames in a plan view of the motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignees: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha, Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Tominaga, Yuki Amano
  • Patent number: 8800710
    Abstract: A motorcycle with a muffler disposed downwardly of a rider's seat positioned, in a side view, upwardly of a rear wheel when a rear shock absorber is extended, to minimize sideway bulging of the muffler from a vehicle body and improve ride comfort, while avoiding interference between the muffler and other parts. An outer shell of a muffler has a rhombus cross section. The muffler is disposed on at least one side in a vehicle width direction of a rear wheel wherein one pair of side walls extend in parallel with each other out of side walls of the outer shell extending in a vertical direction. A side cover is formed to extend along the upper and outer side walls of the four side walls of the outer shell to cover the muffler from a side, downwardly of a rider's seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Hayama, Takuya Otsuka, Yusuke Inoue, Satoshi Matsushima
  • Patent number: 8794369
    Abstract: A standard foot-operated rear brake system on a motorcycle is converted to a hand-operated brake assist system by mounting a pneumatic cylinder in close proximity to the rear brake foot pedal such that, when pressurized, the piston of the pneumatic cylinder extends to depress the rear brake foot pedal. The pneumatic cylinder is controlled by a switch on the handlebar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Ride-Able, Inc.
    Inventor: Tyler D. Cruit
  • Publication number: 20140209401
    Abstract: An exhaust gas sensor arrangement structure for a motorcycle includes a vehicle body frame, an internal combustion engine suspended on the vehicle body frame between front and rear wheels and exhaust pipes extending toward a rear side in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle from a front side of the internal combustion engine in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in a state where the exhaust pipes extend below the internal combustion engine. Exhaust gas sensors are arranged on upper halves of the exhaust pipes arranged between the internal combustion engine and the bottom frame portions as viewed from a front side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in a state where the exhaust gas sensors are sandwiched between the internal combustion engine and the bottom frame portions as viewed from a front side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichiro NAKAMURA, Yuta ABE
  • Patent number: 8776933
    Abstract: A vehicle body frame of a motorcycle includes a head pipe, a pair of main frame sections extending rearwardly from the head pipe, a pair of pivot plates joined to end portions of the main frame sections, and a crossmember arranged between the pivot plates. In such vehicle body frame, the crossmember is arranged between upper end portions of the pivot plates such that the upper end portions of the pivot plates are sandwiched between the crossmember and rear end portions of main frame sections so that at least a portion of the crossmember overlaps a joint portion between the main frame sections and the pivot plates as viewed in a side view. Such structure of the vehicle body frame ensures the rigidity of connecting portions where the crossmember is connected to pivot plates without making the vehicle body frame heavy and thick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Munehiro Toda, Akira Hosono, Ryo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8770332
    Abstract: A vehicle body frame includes an upper frame, lower frame and a fastening member. The fastening member includes first and second bolts. The first bolt is provided to obliquely cross an axial line of a lower frame end connected to an upper frame end and to fasten the lower frame end to the upper frame end. The second bolt is provided to orthogonally cross the axial line of the lower frame end and fasten the lower frame end to the upper frame end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akinori Hirano, Takehisa Katsura, Katsutoshi Satoh
  • Patent number: 8757651
    Abstract: A collapsible motorized two-wheeled cycle system features a two-wheeled cycle frame. The system features an upper hinge connected to a frame top horizontal member anterior component posterior end and a frame top horizontal member posterior component anterior end. A conical stiffener plug is located on the frame top horizontal member posterior component anterior end for snugly protruding into a conical stiffener plug aperture located on the frame top horizontal member anterior component posterior end. The system features a lower hinge connected to a frame bottom horizontal member anterior end and a frame anterior vertical member lower end. The system features a steering assembly located on a frame top horizontal member anterior end having a handlebar, a front fork, and a front wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventor: Patrick A. Walker
  • Patent number: 8757312
    Abstract: A frame structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle includes a body frame having a head pipe, down tubes, seat rails and upper tubes and a unit swing power unit swingably supported by the body frame. The seat rails have front ends joined to downwardly extending portions of the down tubes. The down tube has a second bending portion formed at the rear end of the horizontal extending portion and an obliquely upwardly extending portion extending rearwardly and upwardly at a position behind the second bending portion. The obliquely upwardly extending portion has a rear end joined to the seat rail. The power unit support portion is formed behind the bending portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Maruyama, Hiroyuki Shinmura, Masashi Nagayama
  • Patent number: 8757713
    Abstract: A multi-configurable tour-pack and backrest assembly for a motorcycle is presented. The multi-configurable tour-pack and backrest assembly is adaptable to provide backrest support to a driver and at least one passenger. The multi-configurable tour-pack and backrest assembly comprises a frame structure, a slide deck housing, a left side pivoting means, a right side pivoting means, a left sliding mechanism, a right sliding mechanism and a control interface. The slide deck housing is mounted with a slide deck rail, a tour-pack and a backrest. The backrest and the tour-pack are designed to move along the slide deck rail to achieve a plurality of seating configurations such as a passenger supporting configuration and a driver supporting configuration. The control interface allows the multi-configurable tour-pack and backrest assembly to move between the passenger supporting configuration and the driver supporting configuration to provide the backrest support to the driver and the passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Think About It Designs
    Inventor: David Reinhardt
  • Patent number: 8752661
    Abstract: A technique for suppressing the stay of liquefied fuel in a purge pipe in a saddle seat type vehicle having a canister for adsorbing fuel gas. A motorcycle includes a center tunnel above which a foot passage space for allowing the passage of an operator's foot in riding the vehicle is formed and a fuel tank located inside the center tunnel on the front side of an engine. The center tunnel is provided so that a lowermost point of the foot passage space is higher in level than a connection point where a purge pipe is connected to an intake pipe, and the center tunnel has an inclined portion inclined upward from the lowermost point toward the front end of the vehicle. A purge control valve is located at a position on the front side of the lowermost point and higher in level than a canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidenori Nagura, Kaori Goto
  • Publication number: 20140158447
    Abstract: A center panel assembly for a body of a vehicle includes a left cover, a right cover, a top cover, and a plurality of fasteners. The top cover is releasably attached to the left cover with at least a first one of the plurality of fasteners and is releasably attached to the right cover with at least a second one of the plurality of fasteners. The center panel assembly is configured for releasable attachment to a frame of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Michael Vincent Peterson
  • Patent number: 8746389
    Abstract: A head pipe of a vehicle body frame includes an upper side head pipe with a pair of upper and lower facing piece parts extending from an upper side pipe part so as to fit to upper and lower wall portions of a pair of right and left main frames, a lower side head pipe with a lower side pipe part joined to the upper side pipe part and a front side tongue piece part extending from the lower side pipe part so as to fit to a front wall portion of a down frame, and a reinforcing member joined to a rear portion of the upper side head pipe and having a rear side tongue piece part extending so as to fit to a rear wall portion of the down frame from a vertical wall part positioned between inner side wall portions of the main frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Togo Oe, Kuninari Kurabayashi
  • Patent number: 8746390
    Abstract: A body frame of a straddle-type vehicle is provided with a first cross tube 21 for interconnecting left and right main frames 13 in a right-left direction, and a second cross tube 22 disposed rearwards of the first cross tube 21 and for interconnecting the of left and right main frames 13. A shock absorber mounting portion 23 is mounted so as to interconnect the first cross tube 21 and the second cross tube 22. An extension/contraction axis L1 of a shock absorber 41 and a line L2 passing through an axis of the first cross tube 21 and an axis of the second cross tubes 22 are offset in a side view of a vehicle in a right-left direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Sugiyama, Takashi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8746721
    Abstract: A steering mechanism may include a four-bar linkage having a ground link, a coupler link, and a pair of follower links. The ground link may be connected to a vehicle having a wheel defining a wheel centerline. The coupler link may be connected to the wheel and may be located aft of the ground link. The pair of follower links may pivotally connect the ground link to the coupler link. The follower links may extend aftwardly from the ground link at converging angles and may define a steering axis located aft of the wheel centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Thiers
  • Patent number: 8733491
    Abstract: A two-wheeled motorized scooter is disclosed as an off-road vehicle capable of off-road use. The off-road vehicle utilizes a rigid chassis, a motor and transmission offering both low end torque and structural rigidity, and a suspension assembly capable of offering handling and control necessary for typical off-road use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: Paul Hassanali Kalani
  • Patent number: 8727058
    Abstract: A saddle type vehicle includes a head pipe that steerably supports a steering system including a front wheel, a main frame extending rearwardly downward from the head pipe, left and right lower frames extending substantially in parallel to each other rearward from a lower portion of the main frame, and a storage space provided between the left and right lower frames on the rear side of the main frame. The storage space permits a fuel tank as a vehicle component part to be disposed therein. A front cross frame is connected to a lower end portion of a main frame lower portion and extends in the vehicle width direction. Front end portions of the lower frames are connected to left and right end portions of the front cross frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Nakano
  • Publication number: 20140131127
    Abstract: A saddle-ride type vehicle which includes catalyst devices in left and right exhaust flow passages can suppress effect of the catalyst devices on the reach to the ground even if the sizes of catalysts are large. The vehicle includes: exhaust flow passages connected to a multi-cylinder engine and disposed independently on left and right sides of a vehicle body; a first catalyst device provided in a middle of the left exhaust flow passage; a second catalyst device provided in a middle of the right exhaust flow passage; a swing arm pivotally supporting a rear wheel such that the rear wheel is swingable, the saddle-ride type vehicle includes silencers connected to portions of the exhaust flow passages downstream of the first catalyst device and the second catalyst device, and the first catalyst device and the second catalyst device are arranged side by side below the swing arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Hayama
  • Publication number: 20140131129
    Abstract: An engine includes a first cylinder communicating with a first intake port and a first exhaust port, and an exhaust assembly coupled to the engine and including a first exhaust manifold coupled to the first exhaust port. The first exhaust manifold is angled relative to the first exhaust port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Indian Motorcycle International, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Galsworthy, Craig M. Beach, II, Brian J. Hitt, Gregory C. Brew, John S. Lengyel, Nicholas J. Schafer, Jeffrey P. Wolf, Jeffrey D. Oltmans, Urs Wenger, G. Jay McKoskey, Blaine D. Kaeser, Andrew J. Novak, Ryan P. Lenton
  • Publication number: 20140131128
    Abstract: A two-wheeled vehicle includes a frame, a plurality of ground-engaging members for supporting the frame, and an engine supported by the frame and operably coupled to the ground-engaging members. Additionally, the two-wheeled vehicle includes a windshield assembly operably coupled to the frame and an adjustment member operably coupled to the windshield assembly. A vehicle control unit is operably coupled to the adjustment member and is configured to automatically actuate the adjustment member for adjusting the position of the windshield assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Indian Motorcycle International, LLC
    Inventors: Kory J. Schuhmacher, Gustavo A. Aramayo, II, Clark D. Davis, Clark E. Zellmer, Jeffrey P. Wolf, Andrew J. Novak, Ryan P. Lenton, Donald W. Kahl
  • Publication number: 20140136076
    Abstract: A two-wheeled vehicle is provided including a frame, front and rear ground-engaging members each supporting the frame, a straddle-type seat, a handlebar for steering the vehicle, at least one light device configured to operate in a hazard mode, an engine supported by the frame and operably coupled to the ground-engaging members, a tilt sensor, and a vehicle control unit in communication with the tilt sensor. The vehicle control unit is operative to detect a tilt angle of the vehicle based on output from the tilt sensor. The vehicle control unit is operative to determine a tip-over condition of the vehicle based on the detected tilt angle exceeding a threshold tilt angle. The vehicle control unit activates the hazard mode of the at least one light in response to the determination of the tip-over condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Indian Motorcycle International, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew J. Novak, Ryan P. Lenton, II, Brian K. Langlois, Jonathon P. Oakden-Graus, Donald W. Kahl
  • Patent number: 8720630
    Abstract: A motorcycle in which a plate member can be mounted to a front cover disposed above a headlight. The front cover includes a front cover main body portion and a hole formed in the front cover main body portion. The front cover main body portion is provided at a back side thereof with a mount portion for a bracket having a portion passing through the hole. The portion passing through the hole includes a retaining portion for retaining the plate member in front of the front cover main body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fumiyasu Hirai
  • Patent number: 8714138
    Abstract: A motorcycle having a head pipe, a vehicle body frame including a pair of left and right main flames extending rearward from the head pipe, and an engine below the vehicle body frame and including a cylinder having an inclined cylinder axis, and an intake device. The intake device has an air cleaner box above the engine and the main frames; a throttle body provided with throttle bores and a valve shaft penetrating the throttle bores, the throttle body is located on a rear side of the engine between the pair of left and right main frames and guides intake air from the air cleaner box to the engine; and a measuring device located on a rear side of the throttle body which rotates about a rotational shaft parallel to the valve shaft to measure a throttle operation amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsushi Uchiyama, Ikuo Yamada
  • Patent number: 8708086
    Abstract: A saddle-ride type vehicle in which the body frame can be reinforced without using a special reinforcing member includes left and right rear frame portions extending rearward and upward from a down frame. The right and left rear frame portions each include a rear frame front half portion and a rear frame rear half portion that are joined together at a joint. The left and right rear frame front half portions are connected to each other by a cross frame. The rear frame rear half portions extend further forward from its joint with the rear frame front half portion and are also joined together by the cross frame, which supports a seat through a storage box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidenori Nagura, Junichi Sakamoto, Shingo Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8701823
    Abstract: A muffler of a motorcycle having an outside diameter greater than the outside diameter d1 of a rectilinear portion of a branch pipe is disposed at a transverse portion of an exhaust pipe. Since the muffler is formed to be roughly elliptic in sectional shape, the outside diameter of the muffler is represented by a major diameter da as the length in the direction of a major axis and a major diameter db as the length in the direction of a minor axis. When the muffler is disposed between a swing arm and a seat to be along the transverse portion of the exhaust pipe, the muffler can be disposed on the more vehicle front side while securing the capacity thereof. Therefore, protrusion of the muffler toward the rear of the vehicle is suppressed, and the external appearance of a vehicle rear portion is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Matsushima, Yusuke Inoue, Shiro Yama, Seiichiro Eguchi, Yosuke Inoue
  • Patent number: 8701813
    Abstract: A two-wheeled motor vehicle (10) provided with a throttle grip (25) rotated by the driver to change the degree of opening of a throttle valve (31), and also with an exhaust valve (34) which, when a throttle ratio which is a ratio of the angle of operation of the throttle grip to the maximum rotation angle of the throttle grip is between zero and a predetermined value, reduces noise emitted from an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Shimizu, Takumi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 8695747
    Abstract: A rear-wheel suspension system for a two-wheeled vehicle capable of further reducing a vehicle width. An upper end of a coil spring of a shock absorber includes a tubular damper case, a rod connected to a piston disposed within the shock absorber and protrusively provided to be capable of making strokes with respect to the tubular damper case and an external hydraulic sub-tank positioned to be lower than an upper end of the shock absorber. Vehicle body component parts include a connecting tube and the sub-tank disposed to be close to the shock absorber above the coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Gogo, Tomohiro Fuse, Mikio Uchiyama, Eiji Adachi, Taichi Honda
  • Patent number: 8690192
    Abstract: A saddle riding vehicle includes a vehicle body frame, an engine, a catalytic device, and a catalyst cover. The engine is disposed on the vehicle body frame and includes a cylinder block in a forwardly inclined position. The catalytic device is disposed at a front lower portion of the engine. The catalytic device includes an exhaust gas introducer oriented substantially at right angles, and a catalyst case disposed below the exhaust gas introducer. The catalyst cover is disposed on the vehicle body frame to cover a front portion of the catalytic device from a front downward direction. The catalyst cover is provided in a space between the catalytic device and a front wheel supported by a front fork provided at a front side of the vehicle body frame. The catalyst cover includes an opening portion at a forward portion of the exhaust gas introducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Yanagita
  • Patent number: 8689922
    Abstract: A vehicle body frame includes a left frame member, a right frame member, a cross member, and a first patch member. The cross member is fitted in both of a left connecting hole and a right connecting hole and welded to the left frame member and the right frame member. The cross member includes a pipe member having a hollow portion which has a first end, and a second end opposite to the first end along the hollow portion. The first patch member is fitted in the first end of the hollow portion and welded to an inner peripheral face of the hollow portion such that a weld bead is provided within a range of a first welding margin provided in the first end of the hollow portion. The first welding margin is provided on the inner peripheral face of the hollow portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keisuke Kishikawa
  • Patent number: 8689923
    Abstract: A saddle riding vehicle includes a vehicle body frame, a front wheel, a rear wheel, a power unit, a shift actuator, and an actuator guard. The power unit has a transmission and a shift mechanism for the transmission. The shift actuator is to actuate the shift mechanism and is attached to a lower portion of a side face of the power unit. The actuator guard is to protect the shift actuator from an obstacle and includes a guard frame and a guard member. The guard frame extends in a forward and backward direction of the saddle riding vehicle below the shift actuator. The guard frame is connected to the vehicle body frame. The guard member is connected to the guard frame and covers a lower face and an outer side face of the shift actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keisuke Kishikawa