Abstract: A canister holding structure for mounting an evaporative emissions canister, having a cylindrical body portion, to a vehicle body. A central axis of the cylindrical body portion extends in a direction other than perpendicular to a ground surface. The canister holding structure includes a holding member, including an annular portion which substantially surrounds the cylindrical body portion of the canister, and a fixing portion for attaching to the vehicle body. Positioning structure is provided for positioning the canister in relation to the holding member. The positioning structure is provided to both the annular portion and the canister. In one illustrative embodiment, the positioning structure includes at least one projection provided on a periphery of the cylindrical body portion of the canister, and multiple holes provided in the annular portion of the holding member, where each of the multiple holes is engageable with the projection.

Abstract: An inexpensive fuel supply device having a high output is achieved using low-output fuel pumps. First and second pumps, which are two inexpensive pumps having a low output, are disposed on a common mounting seat an inlet of each of the fuel pumps approaches a common fuel filter, discharge ports are connected to a common discharge passage so that the amount of fuel corresponding to the sum of the amounts of discharged fuel of the fuel pumps can be supplied from the common discharge passage, a common pressure regulator is connected to the common discharge passage, and the entire structure is formed as a unit, thereby obtaining an inexpensive pump unit having a high output.

Abstract: A throttle management apparatus for an internal combustion engine is provided which allows the response of the engine to an operator's request to be improved while allowing the output characteristic of the engine to be controlled arbitrarily. The throttle management apparatus controls plural throttle valves provided for plural cylinders respectively. The throttle management apparatus includes an electric throttle management apparatus which electrically drives the throttle valves for some of the cylinders based on an electric signal generated according to selected operating conditions of the vehicle, and a mechanical throttle management apparatus which, through throttle activation member operation, mechanically drives the throttle valves for the rest of the cylinders.

Abstract: A canister holding structure for mounting an evaporative emissions canister, having a cylindrical body portion, to a vehicle body. A central axis of the cylindrical body portion extends in a direction other than perpendicular to a ground surface. The canister holding structure includes a holding member, including an annular portion which substantially surrounds the cylindrical body portion of the canister, and a fixing portion for attaching to the vehicle body. Positioning structure is provided for positioning the canister in relation to the holding member. The positioning structure is provided to both the annular portion and the canister. In one illustrative embodiment, the positioning structure includes at least one projection provided on a periphery of the cylindrical body portion of the canister, and multiple holes provided in the annular portion of the holding member, where each of the multiple holes is engageable with the projection.

Abstract: An intake air control device is provided in which a valve shaft extends in the left and right direction of a vehicle body frame across an air intake path, and is rotatably supported by an air intake path forming body connected to an engine body, equalizing the distances from a center of the vehicle body frame in the left and right direction to both ends of the intake air control device when arranging the air intake path forming body at the center of the vehicle body frame in the left and right direction. An actuator, which applies a motive power to drive the valve shaft, is connected to one end of the valve shaft, and a throttle operating amount sensor for detecting the throttle operating amount by a vehicle operator is supported by the air intake path forming body and connected to the other end of the valve shaft.

Abstract: A throttle management apparatus for an internal combustion engine is provided which allows the response of the engine to an operator's request to be improved while allowing the output characteristic of the engine to be controlled arbitrarily. The throttle management apparatus controls plural throttle valves provided for plural cylinders respectively. The throttle management apparatus includes an electric throttle management apparatus which electrically drives the throttle valves for some of the cylinders based on an electric signal generated according to selected operating conditions of the vehicle, and a mechanical throttle management apparatus which, through throttle activation member operation, mechanically drives the throttle valves for the rest of the cylinders.

Abstract: An intake air control device is provided in which a valve shaft extends in the left and right direction of a vehicle body frame across an air intake path, and is rotatably supported by an air intake path forming body connected to an engine body, equalizing the distances from a center of the vehicle body frame in the left and right direction to both ends of the intake air control device when arranging the air intake path forming body at the center of the vehicle body frame in the left and right direction. An actuator, which applies a motive power to drive the valve shaft, is connected to one end of the valve shaft, and a throttle operating amount sensor for detecting the throttle operating amount by a vehicle operator is supported by the air intake path forming body and connected to the other end of the valve shaft.

Abstract: A throttle valve opening control device includes a drum which is connected to a throttle grip by a wire, an input shaft which is integrally mounted in the drum, an output shaft which is connected to the input shaft by a power transmission device, a link mechanism which connects the output shaft to a forward valve shaft and a rear valve shaft, and a drive motor which drives the power transmission device to provide the relative rotation of the output shaft with respect to the input shaft. The input shaft and the output shaft have respective axes arranged along a straight line. The drive motor is arranged parallel to the output shaft, and the output shaft and the drive motor are juxtaposed vertically and substantially along a centerline of an intake passage. The throttle valve opening control device is relatively compact to reduce engine size.

Abstract: The intake system includes an intake path forming section having a downstream end in communication with an intake port included in each of cylinder heads of a pair of banks of an engine main body. The intake path connects to the common air chamber with an upstream end of the intake path being open in the air chamber. A fuel injection valve for injecting fuel toward the upstream end opening portion of each intake path is disposed in the air chamber. A path forming member constituting at least part of an intake path forming section by forming an upstream end of an intake path is connected to a first wall portion of an air chamber. A fuel injection valve is mounted from the outside in a second wall portion of the air chamber opposing the first wall portion with a leading end portion facing an inside of the air chamber.

Abstract: The intake system includes an intake path forming section having a downstream end in communication with an intake port included in each of cylinder heads of a pair of banks of an engine main body. The intake path connects to the common air chamber with an upstream end of the intake path being open in the air chamber. A fuel injection valve for injecting fuel toward the upstream end opening portion of each intake path is disposed in the air chamber. A path forming member constituting at least part of an intake path forming section by forming an upstream end of an intake path is connected to a first wall portion of an air chamber. A fuel injection valve is mounted from the outside in a second wall portion of the air chamber opposing the first wall portion with a leading end portion facing an inside of the air chamber.

Abstract: A throttle valve opening control device includes a drum which is connected to a throttle grip by a wire, an input shaft which is integrally mounted in the drum, an output shaft which is connected to the input shaft by a power transmission device, a link mechanism which connects the output shaft to a forward valve shaft and a rear valve shaft, and a drive motor which drives the power transmission device to provide the relative rotation of the output shaft with respect to the input shaft. The input shaft and the output shaft have respective axes arranged along a straight line. The drive motor is arranged parallel to the output shaft, and the output shaft and the drive motor are juxtaposed vertically and substantially along a centerline of an intake passage. The throttle valve opening control device is relatively compact to reduce engine size.

Abstract: A bypass passage includes an inlet in communication with the upstream sides of first and second throttle valves of first and second suction passages. One valve body receiving chamber is coaxial with the inlet. First and second upstream side branch passages extend from the valve body receiving chamber. Downstream side branch passages extend from the end portions of the upstream side branch passages and are in communication with the downstream sides of the first and second throttle valves of the first and second suction passages. One bypass valve is movably received in the valve body receiving chamber and can open the first and second upstream side branch passages to be at the same opening. Reducing the number of bypass valves to one can reduce the manufacturing costs and the number of man hours for assembly of the throttle unit and can equalize the rate of air flowing through the respective bypass passages.

Abstract: A bypass passage includes an inlet in communication with the upstream sides of first and second throttle valves of first and second suction passages. One valve body receiving chamber is coaxial with the inlet. First and second upstream side branch passages extend from the valve body receiving chamber. Downstream side branch passages extend from the end portions of the upstream side branch passages and are in communication with the downstream sides of the first and second throttle valves of the first and second suction passages. One bypass valve is movably received in the valve body receiving chamber and can open the first and second upstream side branch passages to be at the same opening. Reducing the number of bypass valves to one can reduce the manufacturing costs and the number of man hours for assembly of the throttle unit and can equalize the rate of air flowing through the respective bypass passages.

Abstract: A variable venturi carburetor, which is part of an intake system of an internal combustion engine, includes structural features which allow an air intake path of the carburetor to be shortened, and which allow the size of air chambers of the carburetor to be reduced. A piston valve is composed of a plate-shaped valve and a tubular portion. The plate-shaped valve is guided by a pair of grooves provide in sidewalls of the intake path. The tubular portion is attached to one side of the plate-shaped valve near a center of the side of the plate-shaped valve. The tubular portion has a rectangular or square cross-section. Each side of the rectangular cross section is shorter than the internal diameter of the intake path. A flange is attached to an upper end of the piston valve. The flange is of a reduced diameter and facilitates connection of the piston valve to a diaphragm.