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.

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.

Abstract: In a saddle type vehicle having a swing type power unit swingably supported on the vehicle wherein the vehicle length can be made shorter. A motorcycle includes a link mechanism extending to the rear from a body frame through a link pivot. The swing type power unit includes an engine. A rear wheel is supported rotatably and swingably on the link mechanism. A cross frame extends between a pair of left and right lower frames with a link restriction section for restricting the turning amount of the link mechanism hanging downwardly from the cross frame. The link pivot is disposed under the lower frames.

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.

Abstract: In a saddle type vehicle having a swing type power unit swingably supported on the vehicle wherein the vehicle length can be made shorter. A motorcycle includes a link mechanism extending to the rear from a body frame through a link pivot. The swing type power unit includes an engine. A rear wheel is supported rotatably and swingably on the link mechanism. A cross frame extends between a pair of left and right lower frames with a link restriction section for restricting the turning amount of the link mechanism hanging downwardly from the cross frame. The link pivot is disposed under the lower frames.

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.

Abstract: A tank is disposed beneath a floor for storing methanol and water. A reforming unit is disposed beneath the floor for generating hydrogen from methanol and water supplied from the tank. A fuel cell is disposed beneath the floor for generating electricity from an electrochemical reaction of hydrogen generated by the reforming unit and oxygen in air. A secondary battery is disposed beneath the floor for storing electricity generated by the fuel cell. In this way, mechanisms for generating electricity from air, methanol, and water are centralized.

Abstract: A tank is disposed beneath a floor for storing methanol and water. A reforming unit is disposed beneath the floor for generating hydrogen from methanol and water supplied from the tank. A fuel cell is disposed beneath the floor for generating electricity from an electrochemical reaction of hydrogen generated by the reforming unit and oxygen in air. A secondary battery is disposed beneath the floor for storing electricity generated by the fuel cell. In this way, mechanisms for generating electricity from air, methanol, and water are centralized.

Abstract: An explosion-proof battery includes a cover unit fit into an open portion of a cylindrical cup-like casing. The cover unit is electrically connected to a lead tab extended from an electricity generating unit installed in the casing. The cover unit includes a metal terminal plate of relatively high rigidity, a pressure sensitive plate in the form of a metal plate having relatively high flexibility and vulnerability, a fixing plate of insulating material, an electrical conductive member including an upwardly projecting portion and a base portion, and a ring-shaped gasket of insulating material. The terminal plate and the fixing plate have respective vent holes. The electrical conductive member and the pressure sensitive plate are connected to each other at a connecting portion on the projecting portion of the conductive member by welding. A tip end portion of the lead tab is connected to the base portion of the conductive member.