JPH0352389B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a front wheel support device for a motorcycle in which the upper portions of a pair of left and right outer tubes constituting a front fork are connected via a connecting member.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, for example, in ``Patent Publication No. 134385/1985,'' the torsional rigidity of the front fork is increased by connecting the upper parts of a pair of left and right outer tubes constituting the front fork with a stabilizer that straddles the front wheels. A motorcycle is disclosed.

This conventional stabilizer is bolted to the outer tubes, and together with an axle installed between the lower ends of these outer tubes, the parallel spacing of the outer tubes is kept constant.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, when bolting the stabilizer to the outer tube, the stabilizer has an insertion hole for passing the bolt through.

However, conventionally, there was almost no play between the insertion hole and the bolt, so once the bolt was screwed into the screw hole through the insertion hole, the position of the stabilizer and the outer tube had to be slightly adjusted. I couldn't do it.

For this reason, if the opening position of the insertion port is slightly off due to manufacturing errors, for example, a force may be applied to the top of the outer tube that pulls it inward or conversely pushes it outward. This force sometimes causes distortion in the outer tube, causing a deviation in the parallel spacing of the outer tube.

Then, since the outer tube is fitted into the lower part of the inner tube so as to be slidable in the axial direction, the sliding resistance increases when the outer tube is extended and retracted, resulting in a problem that smooth operation cannot be obtained.

Moreover, in the above-mentioned conventional structure, since the head of the bolt directly protrudes from the upper surface of the stabilizer, problems remain in terms of appearance as well as problems such as increased air resistance.

The present invention was made based on the above circumstances, and although the upper parts of the left and right outer tubes are connected by a connecting member, the parallel distance between these outer tubes can be maintained constant, and the expansion and contraction operation of the outer tubes can be controlled. It is an object of the present invention to provide a front wheel support device for a motorcycle that can be maintained smoothly, has a good appearance around the connecting member, and has low air resistance during running.

[Means for Solving the Problem] Therefore, in the present invention, at the lower part of the pair of left and right inner tubes that constitute the front fork,
A motorcycle in which outer tubes are slidably inserted in the axial direction, an axle for supporting a front wheel is installed between the lower ends of these outer tubes, and the upper ends of the outer tubes are connected by a connecting member that straddles the front wheels. In the above, a receiving part is provided on the upper part of the outer tube that projects laterally, and the connecting member is superimposed on the upper surface of the receiving part, and the connecting member is made of a thick-walled cast molded product, and the connecting member is attached to the receiving part. A bolt insertion hole that matches the screw hole on the side is formed, a bolt is inserted into this bolt insertion hole, and the insertion end of the bolt is screwed into the screw hole to connect the outer tube and the connecting member. is formed in the shape of a long and narrow hole in the left-right direction, and a gap is formed between this bolt insertion hole and the bolt to allow movement in the left-right direction. It is characterized by having a section.

[Function] According to this configuration, even when the bolts are passed through the bolt insertion holes of the connecting member, there is a space between the bolt insertion holes and the bolts that allows the connecting member to move in the left and right direction. Therefore, even if there is a deviation in the position of the bolt insertion hole or screw hole due to manufacturing errors, this deviation can be absorbed by the gap.

Therefore, even if the upper portions of the outer tubes are connected by the connecting member, no excessive pulling force or pressing force is applied to the outer tube side, and the parallel spacing of the outer tubes will not be distorted.

In addition, since the head of the bolt is apparently embedded in the connecting member, the head does not protrude significantly above the connecting member, which improves the appearance and improves the appearance of the top of the connecting member. The surface becomes smoother, and air resistance can be kept to a minimum.

[Example] The present invention will now be described based on an example shown in the drawings.

Figure 1 shows the front area of a motorcycle.
is the frame, 2 is the fuel tank, and 3 is the engine. A front fork 5 is rotatably supported on the head pipe 4 of the frame 1. The front fork 5 includes a pair of left and right inner tubes 8 and 9, and outer tubes 6 and 7 that are fitted into the lower portions of these inner tubes 8 and 9 so as to be slidable in the axial direction. The upper portions of the inner tubes 8 and 9 are connected by an upper bracket 10 and an under bracket 11, and a steering shaft 12 installed between these brackets 10 and 11 is rotatable around the axis of the head pipe 4. is supported by

The front fork 5 is connected to the front wheel 1 via the axle 13 between the lower ends of the outer tubes 6 and 7.
4, and is steered by a handle 15 attached to the above-mentioned attenuation bracket 10.

A front wheel 14 is located between the upper ends of the outer tubes 6 and 7.
A front fender 16 is attached to cover the upper part of the vehicle. The mounting structure of the front fender 16 is shown in detail in FIGS. 2 to 6.

That is, the outer tubes 6 and 7 are aluminum castings, and on the outer circumferential surfaces of the upper ends thereof, on opposite sides thereof, there are receiving portions 17, 17 and 18, 18 that project laterally at two locations spaced apart in the front and rear direction. It is formed in one piece. And each of these receiving parts 17, 17
A vertical screw hole 19 is formed in and 18, 18.

Further, the front fender 16 is also made of aluminum casting, and is formed into a thin wall with a basic cross section having a substantially arc shape, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. As shown in FIG. 5, the portion of the front fender 16 located between the outer tubes 6 and 7 is thicker than the basic cross section, and this thick portion 20
Attachment flange portions 21, 21 and 22, 22 are integrally formed at two locations spaced apart from each other in the front and rear on both left and right sides of the holder. These mounting flange parts 21, 21 and 22, 22 are formed to have a large wall thickness like the thick wall part 20, and the front fender 1
6, and the projecting end portions are overlapped with the upper surfaces of the receiving portions 17, 17 and 18, 18.

A vertical bolt insertion hole 23 is opened at the projecting end of each of the mounting collars 21, 21 and 22, 22, and is aligned with the screw hole 19. For example, hexagonal socket bolts 24 are inserted into these bolt insertion holes 23 from above. The insertion end of this bolt 24 is screwed into the screw hole 19,
By this screwing, the thick portion 20 of the front fender 16 is fixed to the receiving portions 17, 17 and 18, 18, thereby connecting the upper portions of the left and right outer tubes 6, 7.

Therefore, in the case of this embodiment, this thick portion 2
0 also serves as a connecting member that connects the upper portions of the outer tubes 6 and 7, and this connecting member is integrated with the front fender 16.

Further, the bolt insertion hole 23 of the thick part 20 is the sixth
As shown in the figure, the hole is elongated in the left and right direction, and the space between this bolt 24 and the bolt insertion hole 23 allows the bolt 24 to move in the left and right direction.
A gap 25 is formed.

Furthermore, in the upper surface opening of the bolt insertion hole 23,
It is formed to have a large diameter so that the head 24a of the bolt 24 can fit therein, and when the bolt 24 is completely screwed in, the head 24a sinks into the large diameter part 26.

According to such a configuration, the front fender 1
Bolt insertion hole 23 opened in thick wall portion 20 of 6
is formed in the shape of a long and narrow hole in the left-right direction, and a hole in the left-right direction is formed between the bolt insertion hole 23 and the bolt 24.
Since the gap 25 is formed, even when the bolt 24 is passed through the bolt insertion hole 23, the thick part 20 of the front fender 16 can be shifted left and right with respect to the outer tubes 6 and 7 by the distance 25. .

Therefore, even if the position of the bolt insertion hole 23 deviates due to manufacturing error, this deviation can be absorbed by the gap 25, and the upper parts of the outer tubes 6 and 7 are connected by the thick part 20. Even in this state, it is possible to prevent excessive pulling or pressing force from being applied to the outer tubes 6, 7.

Therefore, there is no deviation in the parallel spacing between the outer tubes 6 and 7, and the inner tubes 8 and
The outer tubes 6 and 7 can be smoothly extended and contracted relative to the outer tubes 9.

Furthermore, when the bolt 24 is completely tightened, its head 24a is recessed into the large diameter portion 26 of the bolt insertion hole 23, so that the bolt 24 appears to be
is embedded in the thick portion 20, and the head 24a of the bolt 24 does not protrude significantly above the thick portion 20.

Therefore, the appearance of the connecting portion between the front fender 16 and the outer tubes 6, 7 is improved, and since the head 24a does not protrude, the upper surface of the front fender 16 becomes smooth, which has the advantage of reducing air resistance. There is.

Note that the positions and numbers of the outer tube side receiving portion and the front fender mounting flange portion are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and the front fender is not limited to the one in which only the portion located between the outer tubes is thick. In some cases, the entire fender may be formed thick.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention described in detail above, even if the position of the bolt insertion hole on the connecting member side deviates due to manufacturing error, this deviation can be absorbed by the outer tube. Even if they are connected by a connecting member, it is possible to prevent excessive pulling force or pressing force from being applied to the outer tube.

Therefore, there is no deviation in the parallel spacing between the outer tubes, and the outer tube can be smoothly extended and retracted relative to the inner tube.

In addition, since the head of the bolt is recessed into the large diameter part of the bolt insertion hole, the bolt appears to be embedded in the connecting member, and the head of the bolt does not protrude significantly above the connecting member. . Therefore, the appearance of the connecting portion of the outer tube is improved, and since the head does not protrude, the upper surface of the connecting member becomes smooth, which has the advantage of reducing air resistance.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is a side view of the front part of the motorcycle, Fig. 2 is a side view of the front fender attachment part, and Fig. 3 is a cross section taken along the line - in Fig. 2. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line - in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a front view of the mounting portion of the front fender in section, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line - in FIG. 5. 5...Front fork, 6, 7... Outer tube, 8, 9... Inner tube, 13... Axle, 14... Front wheel, 17, 18... Receptacle, 19
...Screw hole, 20...Connection member (thick part), 23
...Bolt insertion hole, 24...Bolt, 24a...
Head, 25...〓between, 26...large diameter section.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An outer tube is fitted into the lower portions of a pair of left and right inner tubes constituting a front fork so as to be slidable in the axial direction, and an axle for supporting a front wheel is installed between the lower ends of these outer tubes, In a motorcycle in which the upper ends of the outer tubes are connected by a connecting member that spans the front wheel, a receiving part is provided at the upper part of the outer tube that projects laterally, and the connecting member is overlapped on the upper surface of the receiving part. This connecting member is a thick cast molded product, a bolt insertion hole is formed in this connecting member that matches the screw hole on the receiving part side, a bolt is inserted into this bolt insertion hole, and the insertion end is inserted into the connecting member. The outer tube and the connecting member are connected by screwing into the screw hole, and the bolt insertion hole is formed in the shape of an elongated hole in the left-right direction, and a gap is provided between the bolt insertion hole and the bolt to allow movement in the left-right direction. A front wheel support device for a motorcycle, characterized in that the bolt insertion hole is provided with a large diameter portion into which the head of the bolt is inserted.