Abstract: A vehicle including an internal combustion engine and an automatic transmission capable of transmitting and receiving torque to and from an output shaft of the internal combustion engine is controlled. During operation of the internal combustion engine, a process that calculates a diluted water amount based on an operation state of the internal combustion engine is executed. The diluted water amount is the amount of water contained in lubricating oil in the internal combustion engine. Further, a process that controls the automatic transmission such that torque per unit period in the internal combustion engine becomes smaller when the diluted water amount is relatively large compared to when the diluted water amount is relatively small, while continuing the operation of the internal combustion engine, is executed.

Abstract: In a windshield device for a saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with a windshield portion provided adjustably in height, the windshield portion is attached through a rail member 41, the rail member 41 is equipped with an upper elongate hole 48b, a lever member 42 covering the upper elongate hole 48b and a lock pin 46 fixed to a body side are equipped, the rail member 41 is provided slidably relative to the lock pin 46 inserted through the upper elongate hole 48b, and the lever member 42 is equipped with a plurality of holes 68 with which the lock pin 46 is engageable.

Abstract: In a windshield device for a saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with a windshield portion provided adjustably in height, the windshield portion is attached through a rail member 41, the rail member 41 is equipped with an upper elongate hole 48b, a lever member 42 covering the upper elongate hole 48b and a lock pin 46 fixed to a body side are equipped, the rail member 41 is provided slidably relative to the lock pin 46 inserted through the upper elongate hole 48b, and the lever member 42 is equipped with a plurality of holes 68 with which the lock pin 46 is engageable.

Abstract: A saddle-ride-type vehicle for allowing a passenger's hand holding a grip to minimally slip. The saddle-ride-type vehicle is provided with grips mounted on a seat frame and formed for a passenger who rides behind an operator to grip. The seat frame is covered by a rear cowl. The rear cowl includes front sidewardly projecting portions arranged at positions which overlap with the grips as viewed in a side view of a vehicle and arranged close to the grip as viewed in a plan view.

Abstract: A saddle-ride-type vehicle for allowing a passenger's hand holding a grip to minimally slip. The saddle-ride-type vehicle is provided with grips mounted on a seat frame and formed for a passenger who rides behind an operator to grip. The seat frame is covered by a rear cowl. The rear cowl includes front sidewardly projecting portions arranged at positions which overlap with the grips as viewed in a side view of a vehicle and arranged close to the grip as viewed in a plan view.

Abstract: A locking assembly for a motor vehicle of a saddle riding type includes, a reverse lock disposed in a transmission of the vehicle for preventing a shift change of the transmission into reverse when the vehicle is traveling forward, and a lock release mechanism having an actuator, wherein the lock release mechanism is disposed in an opening in a front fender of the vehicle, such that the actuator projects above the opening. Further the locking assembly includes a cable operatively connecting the lock release mechanism with the reverse lock, such that actuation of the actuator causes the reverse lock to be released, a main body of the lock release mechanism housed beneath the opening on an underside of the fender for covering the lock release mechanism, and a cover body disposed on the fender, such that sides of the actuator and the opening are covered.

Abstract: A body frame of a saddle-ride type vehicle for preventing an increase in the number of parts for supporting a radiator and ensuring a required heat dissipating performance of the radiator. A body frame includes a pair of right and left main pipes extending substantially in the back-and-forth direction of a vehicle with a pair of right and left lower pipes disposed under the main pipes and extending substantially in the back-and-forth direction of the vehicle. A pair of right and left down-pipes are disposed vertically in a bridgewise manner between the main pipes and the lower pipes with rear reinforcing pipes extending rearwardly and obliquely downwardly, respectively, from intermediate positions of the down-pipes and connected at lower ends thereof to the lower pipes. First reinforcing members are provided for supporting an upper portion of a radiator. Second reinforcing members are provided for supporting a lower portion of the radiator.

Abstract: Forced supply of toner(s) from toner hopper(s) to developer storage container(s) is executed while interrupting and/or prohibiting image forming operation(s) so as to prevent consumption of toner(s), toner level(s) within toner hopper(s) being determined to be low and low toner level condition(s) being reported to user(s) when temporal change(s) in value(s) detected by toner sensor(s) is/are small.

Abstract: A four-wheeled buggy includes a shortened air intake path so that intake efficiency is improved. An air cleaner is disposed in a space surrounded on the left and right by a rear fender below a seat, and a space surrounded by the air cleaner, the seat and left and right portions of the rear fender is formed as an intake air path. A cutaway portion is provided on a side face of the rear fender connecting to a seat rail and is formed as an intake opening communicating outwardly sidewardly such that it is communicated with the intake air path on the inner side. External air taken in from the intake opening enters the intake path and is immediately introduced into the inside of the air cleaner through an intake duct.

Abstract: A front cover structure for a saddle-type vehicle, in which the cost of replacement in damage and the manufacturing cost can be reduced and a degree of the freedom of design appearance can be enhanced. In the front cover structure for a saddle-type vehicle in which a front cover 27 is provided so that it encloses a headlight 20 in the center of the front of the body, the front cover 27 is divided into a center cover for placement covering a top central front portion of the vehicle body, a left shroud 85L provided for placement on the left side of the center cover, and a right shroud 85R provided for placement on the right side of the center cover. The left shroud 85L and the right shroud 85R are coupled via the headlight 20.

Abstract: A body frame of a saddle-ride type vehicle for preventing an increase in the number of parts for supporting a radiator and ensuring a required heat dissipating performance of the radiator. A body frame includes a pair of right and left main pipes extending substantially in the back-and-forth direction of a vehicle with a pair of right and left lower pipes disposed under the main pipes and extending substantially in the back-and-forth direction of the vehicle. A pair of right and left down-pipes are disposed vertically in a bridgewise manner between the main pipes and the lower pipes with rear reinforcing pipes extending rearwardly and obliquely downwardly, respectively, from intermediate positions of the down-pipes and connected at lower ends thereof to the lower pipes. First reinforcing members are provided for supporting an upper portion of a radiator. Second reinforcing members are provided for supporting a lower portion of the radiator.

Abstract: Forced supply of toner(s) from toner hopper(s) to developer storage container(s) is executed while interrupting and/or prohibiting image forming operation(s) so as to prevent consumption of toner(s), toner level(s) within toner hopper(s) being determined to be low and low toner level condition(s) being reported to user(s) when temporal change(s) in value(s) detected by toner sensor(s) is/are small.

Abstract: A surface of a photosensitive body is charged and exposed to light to form an electrostatic latent image that is developed with toner having the same polarity as the surface. The toner image is transferred to a transfer material. During non-image forming periods a first step of applying a first voltage having the same polarity as that of the surface of the photosensitive body and an absolute value larger than the electric image forming potential of the transfer member is performed for a first period of time. In addition, a second step of applying a second voltage having an absolute value smaller than the absolute value of the electric potential of the surface of the photosensitive body to the transfer member for a second period of time not shorter than the first period of time is performed alternately with the first step.

Abstract: A four-wheeled buggy includes a shortened air intake path so that intake efficiency is improved. An air cleaner is disposed in a space surrounded on the left and right by a rear fender below a seat, and a space surrounded by the air cleaner, the seat and left and right portions of the rear fender is formed as an intake air path. A cutaway portion is provided on a side face of the rear fender connecting to a seat rail and is formed as an intake opening communicating outwardly sidewardly such that it is communicated with the intake air path on the inner side. External air taken in from the intake opening enters the intake path and is immediately introduced into the inside of the air cleaner through an intake duct.

Abstract: A locking assembly for a motor vehicle of a saddle riding type includes, a reverse lock disposed in a transmission of the vehicle for preventing a shift change of the transmission into reverse when the vehicle is traveling forward, and a lock release mechanism having an actuator, wherein the lock release mechanism is disposed in an opening in a front fender of the vehicle, such that the actuator projects above the opening. Further the locking assembly includes a cable operatively connecting the lock release mechanism with the reverse lock, such that actuation of the actuator causes the reverse lock to be released, a main body of the lock release mechanism housed beneath the opening on an underside of the fender for covering the lock release mechanism, and a cover body disposed on the fender, such that sides of the actuator and the opening are covered.

Abstract: A front cover structure for a saddle-type vehicle, in which the cost of replacement in damage and the manufacturing cost can be reduced and a degree of the freedom of design appearance can be enhanced. In the front cover structure for a saddle-type vehicle in which a front cover 27 is provided so that it encloses a headlight 20 in the center of the front of the body, the front cover 27 is divided into a center cover for placement covering a top central front portion of the vehicle body, a left shroud 85L provided for placement on the left side of the center cover, and a right shroud 85R provided for placement on the right side of the center cover. The left shroud 85L and the right shroud 85R are coupled via the headlight 20.

Abstract: An image is formed by charging a surface of a photosensitive body and then exposing the surface to light to form an electrostatic latent image, developing the electrostatic latent image with toner having the same polarity as the surface of the photosensitive body to form a toner image, and transferring the toner image from the photosensitive body to a transfer material by driving the photosensitive body and a transfer member such as a roller while pressing the transfer material.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a process for forming an image is provided whereby problems in an image such as interference fringes can be eliminated even at a higher resolution to improve image quality. An image forming apparatus of this invention has a configuration wherein an electrostatic latent image is formed by exposing an electrophotographic photoreceptor having a photosensitive layer 18 formed via a undercoating layer 16 on a conductive support 110 with the maximum surface roughness defined by the equation: (0.0006x+0.34) &mgr;m≦Rmax≦2.5 &mgr;m wherein x=a resolution; visualizing the latent image with a toner to give a visualized image; and transferring the visualized image to a transfer medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a process for forming an image is provided whereby problems in an image such as interference fringes can be eliminated even at a higher resolution to improve image quality.

Abstract: In an image forming unit having a toner supplying section and a printing section, the toner supported on the toner support is caused to jump through gates so as to pass through the gates and adhere to the paper which is being conveyed from a paper cassette, whereby an image is formed directly on the paper. In this configuration, the jumping of toner from the toner support is controlled based on the application time of the voltage applied to the control electrode, and/or other factors.