Knuckle guard mounting structure and knuckle guard mounting bracket

Abstract

To enhance the support rigidity of a knuckle guard and to facilitate mounting of the knuckle guard to a mirror holder, in a knuckle guard mounting structure and a knuckle guard mounting bracket that make it possible to mount the knuckle guard to the mirror holder of a steering wheel.SOLUTION: There are provided a knuckle guard mounting structure and a bracket 30L, for a straddle type vehicle, in which a handle 2 includes a lever holder 20L that supports a clutch lever 21L, and a knuckle guard is mounted on a mirror fastening boss 27 of the lever holder 20L. The bracket 30L is fastened and fixed to the mirror fastening boss 27 on an upper part of the lever holder 20L together with a mirror 26 and a lower fastening boss 28 that fixes a lower part of the bracket 30L is provided on a lower part of the lever holder 20L. The mirror fastening boss 27 and the lower fastening boss 28 are provided such that axial centers C2, C3 are offset or inclined with respect to each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a knuckle guard mounting structure and a knuckle guard mounting bracket.

Background Art

[0002] In saddle-type vehicles such as motorcycles, a knuckle guard is sometimes arranged in front of the grip portion of the steering handle to suppress wind hitting the hand holding the grip portion and the collision of foreign objects. There are various mounting structures for the knuckle guard. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which a knuckle guard is attached to a lever holder (which is also a mirror holder) via a bracket. The bracket is fastened together with the mirror to a mirror fastening boss integrally formed on the upper part of the lever holder.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, since the bracket is attached to the mirror holder at one point of the mirror fastening boss on the upper part of the mirror holder, it is difficult to ensure the support rigidity of the bracket and thus the knuckle guard. Further, when fastening the bracket, the bracket tends to rotate together with the mirror, and there is a problem that it takes time to attach the knuckle guard. In particular, even for the same vehicle model, the specifications of the power unit may be different, and there may be a clutch lever. In this case, a configuration that can use a common bracket regardless of the presence or absence of the clutch lever is desired.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a knuckle guard mounting structure and a knuckle guard mounting bracket that enable a knuckle guard to be attached to a mirror holder of a handle, while enhancing the support rigidity of the knuckle guard and facilitating attachment to the mirror holder.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] As a means for solving the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention is a knuckle guard mounting structure for a saddle-riding type vehicle (1) in which a knuckle guard (40L) is attached to a mirror fastening boss (27) of a mirror holder (20L) fixed to a handle (2) via a bracket (30L), wherein the bracket (30L) is fastened and fixed together with a mirror (26) to the mirror fastening boss (27) at the upper part of the mirror holder (20L), and a lower fastening boss (28) for fixing the lower part of the bracket (30L) is provided at the lower part of the mirror holder (20L), and the mirror fastening boss (27) and the lower fastening boss (28) are provided such that their fastening central axes (C2, C3) are offset from each other or inclined. According to this configuration, since the mirror fastening boss and the lower fastening boss are provided so as to be offset from each other or inclined, the mounting rigidity of the bracket, and thus the mounting rigidity of the knuckle guard, is enhanced as compared with a configuration in which the mirror fastening boss and the lower fastening boss are coaxially arranged with each other, and it is possible to make it difficult for the bracket to rotate together when fastening the bracket to each fastening boss.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the mirror fastening boss (27) and the lower fastening boss (28) are provided such that their fastening central axes (C2, C3) are offset in the left-right direction from each other. According to this configuration, since the mirror fastening boss and the lower fastening boss are provided so as to be offset from each other in the left-right direction, the mirror fastening boss and the lower fastening boss are displaced along the longitudinal direction of the handle, so that the overhang in the front-rear direction of the bracket can be suppressed and the offset amount between the two fastening bosses can be efficiently ensured.

[0008] A third aspect of the present invention is, in the above first or second aspect, an upper locking portion (27a) formed on the mirror fastening boss (27), and an upper fastening portion (31) formed on the upper fastening portion (31) fastened to the mirror fastening boss (27) in the bracket (30L). The bracket upper locking portion (31a) is formed to engage with the upper locking portion (27a) in the rotational direction about the axis (C2) of the mirror fastening boss (27) and to restrict the rotation of the upper fastening portion (31) about the axis (C2). It is characterized by comprising. According to this configuration, the upper locking portion formed on the mirror fastening boss and the bracket upper locking portion formed on the upper fastening portion of the bracket engage with each other in the rotational direction about the axis of the mirror fastening boss, thereby restricting the co-rotation of the upper fastening portion when the upper fastening portion of the bracket is fastened (without rotation prevention), and the attachment of the bracket can be facilitated.

[0009] A fourth aspect of the present invention is, in any one of the above first to third aspects, a lower locking portion (28a) formed on the lower fastening boss (28), and a lower fastening portion (38) formed on the lower fastening portion (38) fastened to the lower fastening boss (28) in the bracket (30L). The bracket lower locking portion (38a) is formed to engage with the lower locking portion (28a) in the rotational direction about the axis (C3) of the lower fastening boss (28) and to restrict the rotation of the lower fastening portion (38) about the axis (C3). It is characterized by comprising. According to this configuration, the lower locking portion formed on the lower fastening boss and the bracket lower locking portion formed on the lower fastening portion of the bracket engage with each other in the rotational direction about the axis of the lower fastening boss, thereby restricting the co-rotation of the lower fastening portion when the lower fastening portion of the bracket is fastened (without rotation prevention), and the attachment of the bracket can be facilitated.

[0010] The fifth aspect of the present invention is a knuckle guard mounting bracket (30L) attached to a mirror fastening boss (27) of a mirror holder (20L) fixed to a handlebar (2) for supporting a knuckle guard (40L), comprising an upper fastening portion (31) fastened together with a mirror (26) to the mirror fastening boss (27) at the upper part of the mirror holder (20L), and a lower fastening portion (38) fastened to a lower fastening boss (28) having a fastening central axis (C3) offset or inclined with respect to the fastening central axis (C2) of the mirror fastening boss (27) at the lower part of the mirror holder (20L). According to this configuration, by fastening the upper and lower fastening portions to the upper and lower fastening bosses offset or inclined with respect to each other, the mounting rigidity of itself and thus the mounting rigidity of the knuckle guard can be increased, and it can be made difficult to rotate together when fastening the upper and lower fastening portions to the respective fastening bosses.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, in a knuckle guard mounting structure and a knuckle guard mounting bracket that enable a knuckle guard to be attached to a mirror holder of a handlebar, the support rigidity of the knuckle guard can be increased and the attachment to the mirror holder can be facilitated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the directions such as front, rear, left, and right are the same as those in the vehicle described below unless otherwise specified. Also, at appropriate positions in the drawings used in the following description, an arrow FR indicating the front of the vehicle, an arrow LH indicating the left side of the vehicle, an arrow UP indicating the upper side of the vehicle, and a line CL indicating the center of the vehicle body in the left-right direction are shown. In the present embodiment, the term "intermediate" is intended to include not only the center between both ends of the object but also the inner range between both ends of the object.

[0014] <Vehicle as a Whole> FIG. 1 is a side view showing a motorcycle 1 as an example of a saddle-riding type vehicle. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the vicinity of the handle 2 of the motorcycle 1. FIG. 3 is a rear view showing the vicinity of the handle 2 of the motorcycle 1. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the motorcycle 1 includes a front wheel (steering wheel) 3 steered by a bar-type handle 2 and a rear wheel (driving wheel) 4 driven by a power unit P including an engine (internal combustion engine) E.

[0015] The steering system components including the handle 2 and the front wheel 3 are steerably supported on the head pipe 12 at the front end of the vehicle body frame 5. The steering system components include a pair of left and right front forks 11, a bottom bridge 11a and a top bridge 11b that connect the upper parts of the left and right front forks 11. A bar-type handle 2 is attached on the top bridge 11b via a pair of left and right handle holders 11c.

[0016] The motorcycle 1 of the embodiment includes a telescopic front fork 11 as a front suspension, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, the front suspension may be of other types such as a link type using a swing arm.

[0017] The handle 2 is integrally formed across the entire left and right width with a round pipe made of, for example, an aluminum alloy. The handle 2 has a pair of left and right linear handlebars 2b including grip portions 2a that the driver grips. The handlebars 2b are inclined so as to be positioned more rearward toward the outside in the vehicle width direction with respect to the left and right directions and extend substantially along a horizontal plane. The handle 2 may be a separate handle in which the left and right handlebars 2b are separate from each other.

[0018] On the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the right handlebar 2b, a right switch box (not shown) and a right lever holder 20R are attached. A right operation lever (for example, a brake lever) 21R and a right knuckle guard 40R are supported on the right lever holder 20R. The right operation lever (brake lever) 21R and the right knuckle guard 40R are arranged at intervals in front of the right grip portion 2a. For example, a brake master cylinder and a reserve tank are integrated into the right lever holder 20R. The right lever holder 20R is also a right mirror holder that supports the right rearview mirror 26.

[0019] On the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the left handlebar 2b, a left switch box (not shown) and a left lever holder 20L are attached. The left lever holder 20L supports a left operation lever (for example, a clutch lever) 21L and a left knuckle guard 40L. The left operation lever (clutch lever) 21L and the left knuckle guard 40L are arranged at intervals in front of the left grip portion 2a. The left lever holder 20L is also a left mirror holder that supports the left rearview mirror 26.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, the vehicle body frame 5 includes a head pipe 12 located at the front end, a pair of left and right main frames 13 that branch left and right from the upper part of the head pipe 12 and extend rearward and downward, a pair of left and right down frames 14 that branch left and right from the lower part of the head pipe 12 and extend rearward and downward at a steeper inclination than the main frames 13, a pair of left and right pivot frames 15 where the rear ends of the left and right main frames 13 are connected to the upper ends, and a pair of left and right seat frames 16 that extend rearward and upward from the upper parts of the left and right pivot frames 15. The left and right frame members are appropriately connected by a cross frame (not shown). The left and right main frames 13 and the left and right down frames 14 are connected in a truss shape by a plurality of inclined frames. The periphery of the vehicle body frame 5 is covered by a vehicle body cover 6. The reference numeral in the figure indicates a front body cover (front cowl) 6a that covers the front part of the vehicle body in the vehicle body cover 6.

[0021] Below the left and right main frames 13, a power unit P of the motorcycle 1 is mounted. The power unit P is a unit in which an engine E as a prime mover is disposed at the front part and a transmission M is disposed at the rear part and these are integrated. In front of the power unit P and in front of the left and right down frames 14, a radiator 19 for cooling the engine E is disposed. A rear wheel 4 driven by the output of the power unit P is supported at the rear end portion of a swing arm 7. The front end portion of the swing arm 7 is supported so as to be vertically swingable at the upper and lower intermediate portion of a left and right pivot frame 15 via a pivot shaft extending in the left and right direction. A rear cushion (not shown) is interposed between the front portion of the swing arm 7 and the vehicle body frame 5. The output of the power unit P is transmitted to the rear wheel 4 via a chain type transmission mechanism 17 from the left side of the transmission.

[0022] Above the left and right seat frames 16, a seat 18 for a passenger to sit on is disposed. Between the left and right seat frames 16 below the seat 18, a fuel tank 18a of the engine E is disposed. Inside the front body cover 6a in front of the seat 18, an article storage box 8 is disposed. The article storage box 8 can be opened and closed with the upper portion of the front body cover 6a as a lid. Inside the front body cover 6a and in front of the article storage box 8, an air cleaner 9 of the engine E is disposed.

[0023] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the front end portion of the front body cover 6a. FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing the flow of running wind entering the front body cover 6a from the lower surface 6c of the front body cover 6a. The lower surface 6c of the front body cover 6a facing the tire house (arrangement space) 6b of the front wheel 3 in the front body cover 6a is opened so as to notch the rotation region of steering system parts (in the embodiment, a pair of left and right front forks 11 and a bottom bridge 11a connecting these to each other). The running wind entering the front body cover 6a from this opening reaches a space 9b where an air intake port 9a above the air cleaner 9 is opened. When this running wind flows near the air intake port 9a, if its flow velocity is high, it may affect the intake of the air cleaner 9.

[0024] Therefore, in order to suppress the influence of the running wind entering the front body cover 6a on the intake air, in the embodiment, a standing wall 6d protruding downward from the lower surface 6c is formed on the lower surface 6c of the front body cover 6a. The standing wall 6d extends in the vehicle width direction along the front edge of the opening of the lower surface 6c. As a result, the running wind flowing along the lower surface 6c hits the standing wall 6d and peels off, colliding with the running wind that does not hit the standing wall 6d and directly flows rearward, thereby reducing the flow velocity. Thereby, the running wind diffuses to generate turbulent flow, and enters the front body cover 6a with the flow W1 whose flow velocity has been reduced. The standing wall 6d is integrally formed, for example, with the lower part of the cover of the headlamp 6e disposed at the front end of the front body cover 6a.

[0025] The power unit P includes an engine E as a drive source, a constantly meshing transmission M, and a multi-plate clutch (not shown) that disconnects and connects the power transmission between the engine E and the transmission M. The clutch is a normally closed clutch that is in a connected state when not operated. Although the power unit P of the motorcycle 1 includes a transmission system having a manual clutch as described above, there is also a twin clutch type transmission system that individually controls a first clutch for odd gears and a second clutch for even gears. In the former case, in order for the driver to perform a clutch disengagement operation, a clutch lever 21L is usually provided on the left handlebar 2b. In the latter case, since the clutch operation is automatically performed by a clutch actuator, it may not be provided with an operator such as a clutch lever 21L. The configuration including a clutch actuator is not limited to the twin clutch type transmission system, and may also be a combination of a normal transmission M and a single clutch. In addition, the configuration not provided with a clutch operator may also include a configuration using a centrifugal clutch or a torque converter.

[0026] <Lever holder 20L> FIG. 4 is a front view showing the attachment structure of the left knuckle guard 40L in the left lever holder 20L. FIG. 5 is a front view with the left knuckle guard 40L removed from FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a side view of the periphery of the bracket 30L in the left lever holder 20L as viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction. FIG. 7 is a front view of the periphery of the bracket 30L in the left lever holder 20L. FIG. 8 is a side view of the periphery of the bracket 30L in the left lever holder 20L as viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 8, the left knuckle guard 40L of the embodiment is attached to the left lever holder (mirror holder) 20L via a bracket 30L. In the embodiment, by using the bracket 30L for the attachment structure of the left knuckle guard 40L in the left lever holder 20L, the knuckle guard 40L can be attached in the same manner regardless of the presence or absence of the operation lever 21L. In the attachment structure of the right knuckle guard 40R in the right lever holder 20R, since there is no operation lever 21R, the knuckle guard 40R may be directly attached to the right lever holder 20R without using a bracket.

[0028] In the left lever holder 20L, the base portion 21a on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the clutch lever 21L is rotatably supported via a lever support shaft (not shown) extending in the vehicle up-and-down direction. The center line C1 in the figure indicates the central axis (axis) of the lever support shaft. The clutch lever 21L shown in the figure shows a state where the lever body 21b extending outward in the vehicle width direction of the base portion 21a is in the initial position P1 before being operated by the occupant. The clutch lever 21L is rotatable so as to approach the grip portion 2a side from the initial position P1. A clutch switch for detecting the operation of the clutch lever 21L is attached to the lever holder 20L when the clutch lever 21L is operated toward the grip portion 2a side.

[0029] The lever holder 20L is divided into front and rear parts in the radial direction of the handlebar 2b. The lever holder 20L includes a holder body 23 having a lever support portion 22 that rotatably supports the base portion 21a of the clutch lever 21L, and a clamp member 24 that faces the holder body 23 with the left handlebar 2b interposed therebetween. The holder body 23 includes a handle receiving portion 23a having a semi-circular inner peripheral surface along the outer peripheral surface of the handlebar 2b, and bolt fastening portions 23b disposed above and below the handle receiving portion 23a. A screw hole for tightening a bolt B1 for fixing the lever holder 20L to the handlebar 2b is formed in the bolt fastening portion 23b.

[0030] The clamp member 24 includes a handle receiving portion 24a having a semi-circular inner peripheral surface along the outer peripheral surface of the handlebar 2b, and bolt fastening portions 24b disposed above and below the handle receiving portion 24a with the handle receiving portion 24a interposed therebetween. An insertion hole for inserting the neck of the bolt B1 is formed in the bolt fastening portion 24b. The holder body 23 and the clamp member 24 sandwich the handlebar 2b in the front-rear direction at their respective handle receiving portions 23a, 24a. In this state, the bolt B1 is inserted from the rear into the upper and lower bolt fastening portions 24b of the clamp member 24, and these bolts B1 are screwed and tightened to the upper and lower bolt fastening portions 23b of the holder body 23, whereby the lever holder 20L is fixed to the handlebar 2b.

[0031] Since there are the lever support portion 22 and the like on the front side of the lever holder 20L, the bolt B1 is attached and detached from the rear side of the lever holder 20L. For example, when the lever holder 20L does not have a structure such as the lever support portion 22 on the front side and has a structure such as a parking brake operation portion on the rear side, a configuration in which the bolt B1 is attached and detached from the front side of the lever holder (mirror holder) 20L may also be used.

[0032] The lever support portion 22 includes a pair of upper and lower support walls 22a and 22b that are spaced apart so as to sandwich the base portion 21a of the operation lever 21L in the vertical direction. For example, an insertion hole through which a lever support shaft extending in the vertical direction is inserted is formed in the upper support wall 22a. The lever support shaft is in the form of a stepped bolt having a threaded shaft at its tip. A threaded hole for tightening the tip of the lever support shaft is formed in the lower support wall 22b. Reference numeral 22e in the figure indicates a cap nut screwed onto the threaded shaft of the lever support shaft.

[0033] An axis insertion hole penetrating the base portion 21a in its thickness direction (vertical direction) is formed in the base portion 21a of the operation lever 21L. The operation lever 21L is supported by the lever support portion 22 in a rotatable state about the lever support shaft by inserting the base portion 21a between the upper and lower support walls 22a and 22b of the lever support portion 22 and tightening the lever support shaft inserted through the insertion hole and the axis insertion hole.

[0034] An integrally formed mirror fastening boss 27 for tightening and fixing the lower end portion (threaded shaft) of the mirror stay 26a of the rearview mirror 26 is provided at the upper portion of the holder body 23 of the lever holder 20L. Line C2 in the figure indicates the fastening central axis (axis) in the vertical direction in the mirror fastening boss 27. A lower fastening boss 28 for fixing the lower portion of the bracket 30L is integrally formed at the lower portion of the holder body 23 of the lever holder 20L. Line C3 in the figure indicates the fastening central axis (axis) in the vertical direction in the lower fastening boss 28.

[0035] <Bracket 30L> The bracket 30L includes an upper fastening portion 31 fastened to the mirror fastening boss 27, an upper inclined portion 32 that extends obliquely downward from the front edge of the upper fastening portion 31, a guard upper fastening portion 33 that extends forward from the front lower edge of the upper inclined portion 32, a front end wall portion 34 that extends downward from the front edge of the guard upper fastening portion 33, a guard lower fastening portion 35 that extends rearward from the lower edge of the front end wall portion 34, a vertical portion that extends downward from the rear edge of the guard lower fastening portion 35, a lower inclined portion 37 that extends obliquely downward from the lower edge of the vertical portion, and a lower fastening portion 38 that extends rearward from the rear edge of the lower inclined portion 37 and is fastened to the lower fastening boss 28.

[0036] The central axis C2 of the mirror fastening boss 27 and the central axis C3 of the lower fastening boss 28 are provided to be parallel to each other. With respect to the central axis C2 of the mirror fastening boss 27, the central axis C3 of the lower fastening boss 28 is displaced rearward and inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0037] A bracket 30L that supports the knuckle guard 40L is attached to the mirror fastening boss 27 above the lever holder 20L and the lower fastening boss 28 below the lever holder 20L. By offsetting these upper and lower mounting positions (fastening central axes C2, C3) in the front-rear and left-right directions, compared with the case where the upper and lower mounting positions are coaxially arranged with each other, the rotation of the center of the mounting position of the bracket 30L can be suppressed and the mounting rigidity can be increased.

[0038] In the embodiment, by offsetting the mirror fastening boss 27 and the lower fastening boss 28 more in the left-right direction than in the front-rear direction, while suppressing an increase in the front-rear width of the lever holder 20L, an offset amount can be secured along the length direction of the handlebar 2b. The relative arrangement of the mirror fastening boss 27 and the lower fastening boss 28 is not limited to the arrangement where the axes C2, C3 are parallel to each other, and may be an arrangement where one is inclined with respect to the other (an arrangement having a relative angle). Even with this configuration, the rotation of the center of the mounting position of the bracket 30L can be suppressed and the mounting rigidity can be increased.

[0039] The central axis C1 of the lever support shaft of the clutch lever 21L is tilted forward so that the upper side is positioned more forward while the central axis C2 of the mirror fastening boss 27 generally extends along the vertical direction. The clutch lever 21L rotates along a plane (rotation plane) S1 orthogonal to the central axis C1 of the lever support shaft. The guard upper and lower fastening walls of the bracket 30L are formed parallel to the rotation plane S1 of the clutch lever 21L.

[0040] The bracket 30L has an upper fastening portion 31 fastened to the mirror fastening boss 27 together with the mirror stay 26a by joint tightening, and a lower fastening portion 38 fastened to the lower fastening boss 28 formed at the lower portion of the lever holder 20L by a lower bolt B2. Between the upper and lower fastening portions 31 and 38 of the bracket 30L, it is formed to bypass the lever support portion 22 of the lever holder 20L with a space in the front. Guard upper and lower fastening portions 33 and 35 for fastening the knuckle guard 40L are formed at the bypass portion of this bracket 30L.

[0041] The bracket 30L that supports the knuckle guard 40L is fastened not only to the mirror fastening boss 27 at the upper part of the lever holder 20L but also to the lower fastening boss 28 at the lower part of the lever holder 20L, so that the support rigidity of the bracket 30L and thus the knuckle guard 40L can be enhanced.

[0042] When attaching the knuckle guard 40L to the left lever holder 20L, if the mounting parts such as the bracket 30L are made different according to the presence or absence of the clutch lever 21L, there is a risk that the number of parts types will increase and the cost will increase. In contrast, by making the shape between the upper and lower fastening portions 31 and 38 of the bracket 30L bypass the lever support portion 22 of the lever holder 20L with a space in the front, a common bracket 30L can be used regardless of the presence or absence of the clutch lever 21L. That is, even when the specifications of the power unit P are different in the same vehicle model (when there is a presence or absence of the clutch lever 21L), by making it possible to use a common bracket 30L, the versatility of the mounting parts of the knuckle guard 40L can be enhanced and the cost can be reduced.

[0043] The upper and lower fastening bosses 27 and 28 are arranged with their central axes C2 and C3 shifted from each other in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction so as not to be coaxially arranged with each other. By arranging the upper and lower fastening bosses 27 and 28 so as not to be coaxially aligned with each other in this way, the rotation of the bracket 30L around the mirror fastening boss 27 or the lower fastening boss 28 is suppressed.

[0044] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the upper periphery of the bracket 30L in the left lever holder 20L. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the lower periphery of the bracket 30L in the left lever holder 20L. Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the upper and lower fastening portions 31, 38 of the bracket 30L are respectively provided with locking pieces 31a, 38a that can abut against locking walls 27a, 28a formed adjacent to the corresponding fastening bosses 27, 28 in the tightening direction of the mirror stay 26a or the lower bolt B2 (indicated by the arrow F1 in the figure). When fastening the bracket 30L, by abutting the upper and lower locking pieces 31a, 38a against the corresponding locking walls 27a, 28a respectively, the bracket 30L is prevented from rotating when tightening bolts or the like. Thereby, the co-rotation of the bracket 30L when tightening bolts or the like is restricted, and the attachment of the knuckle guard 40L can be facilitated.

[0045] The lever support portion 22 is formed with a cutout 22d for inserting the clutch lever 21L between the upper and lower support pieces. For example, in the specification without the clutch lever 21L, the cutout 22d may be omitted. The cutout 22d is hidden by the base portion 45 of the knuckle guard 40L, but a cover for closing the cutout 22d may be further provided.

[0046] <Knuckle guard 40L> Referring to FIGS. 4, 6, and 8, the knuckle guard 40L includes a guard body 41 that covers the grip portion 2a and the clutch lever 21L with a space therebetween from the front, and a base portion 45 for attaching the guard body 41 to the lever holder 20L. The guard body 41 of the knuckle guard 40L is formed with an increased vertical width so as to entirely cover the grip portion 2a and the lever from the front. The base portion 45 of the knuckle guard 40L is formed with a reduced vertical width with respect to the guard body 41. The knuckle guard 40L is a cantilever support in which the inner side in the vehicle width direction (base portion 45 side) is supported by the lever holder 20L and the outer side in the vehicle width direction is a free end.

[0047] The guard body 41 includes a shallowly curved front portion 42 that bulges forward of the vehicle, and an outer peripheral wall portion 43 that is formed across the upper and lower edges and the outer edge in the vehicle width direction of the front portion 42 and stands upright rearward. When viewed from the front-rear direction, the outer portion in the vehicle width direction of the front portion 42 is formed in a trapezoidal shape that tapers and protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction. The inner portion in the vehicle width direction of the front portion 42 is formed in a trapezoidal shape that tapers and protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the front-rear direction. When viewed from the front-rear direction, the outer peripheral wall portion 43 extends obliquely so as to spread outward from the outer peripheral edge of the front portion 42.

[0048] The base portion 45 includes a base front portion 46 formed so as to extend the inner portion in the vehicle width direction of the front portion 42 of the guard body 41 inward in the vehicle width direction, and a base outer peripheral wall formed across the upper and lower edges and the inner edge in the vehicle width direction of the base front portion 46 and standing upright rearward. A rear displacement portion 46a is formed on the base front portion 46 inward in the vertical direction. The rear displacement portion 46a is displaced rearward via a linear vertical step portion 46b extending in the vehicle width direction. The inner side in the vehicle width direction of the rear displacement portion 46a is continuously formed up to the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the base portion 45. The outer side in the vehicle width direction of the rear displacement portion 46a gradually disappears at the inner portion in the vehicle width direction of the front portion 42 of the guard body 41. When viewed from the front-rear direction, the base outer peripheral wall portion 47 extends obliquely so as to spread outward from the outer peripheral edge of the base front portion 46.

[0049] The outer peripheral wall portions 43 located above and below the inner portion in the vehicle width direction of the guard body 41 are formed so as to increase the front-rear width (depth) toward the base portion 45 side. This outer peripheral wall portion 43 is referred to as an expanded-width outer peripheral wall portion 43a. The base outer peripheral wall portions 47 located above and below the base portion 45 are formed to have the same front-rear width (depth) as the inner ends in the vehicle width direction of the upper and lower expanded-width outer peripheral wall portions 43a of the guard body 41. By forming the upper and lower outer peripheral wall portions 43 and 47 wide from the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the guard body 41 to the base portion 45, the rigidity of the base portion 45 side of the knuckle guard 40L supported cantilevered on the base portion 45 side is increased.

[0050] Inside the base 45 (rear side), upper and lower support walls 22a and 22b that stand upright rearward are formed between the upper and lower base outer peripheral wall portions 47. The upper and lower support walls 22a and 22b are formed parallel to each other. The upper and lower support walls 22a and 22b are provided so as to overlap from above or below with guard upper and lower fastening portions 33 and 35 that are parallel to each other and are formed in the bypass portion of the bracket 30L. The upper support wall 22a is fastened to the guard upper fastening portion 33 by a bolt B3 inserted from above. The lower support wall 22b is fastened to the guard lower fastening portion 35 by a bolt B4 inserted from below.

[0051] As described above, the knuckle guard mounting structure in the above embodiment includes a lever holder 20L that supports a clutch lever 21L on a handle 2, and a knuckle guard 40L is attached to a mirror fastening boss 27 of the lever holder 20L via a bracket 30L in a saddle-riding type vehicle. The bracket 30L is fastened and fixed together with the mirror 26 to the mirror fastening boss 27 at the upper part of the lever holder 20L, and a lower fastening boss 28 for fixing the lower part of the bracket 30L is provided at the lower part of the lever holder 20L. The mirror fastening boss 27 and the lower fastening boss 28 are provided with their axial centers C2 and C3 offset from each other or tilted. According to this configuration, since the mirror fastening boss 27 and the lower fastening boss 28 are provided with their axial centers C2 and C3 offset from each other or tilted, compared with a configuration in which the mirror fastening boss 27 and the lower fastening boss 28 are coaxially arranged with each other, the mounting rigidity of the bracket 30L and thus the mounting rigidity of the knuckle guard 40L can be increased, and it is possible to make it difficult for the bracket 30L to rotate together when fastening the bracket 30L to the respective fastening bosses 27 and 28.

[0052] In the above knuckle guard mounting structure, the mirror fastening boss 27 and the lower fastening boss 28 are provided with their axial centers C2 and C3 offset in the left-right direction from each other. According to this configuration, the mirror fastening boss 27 and the lower fastening boss 28 are provided with their axial centers C2 and C3 offset from each other in the left-right direction, so that the mirror fastening boss 27 and the lower fastening boss 28 are displaced along the longitudinal direction of the handlebar 2b. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the protrusion of the bracket 30L in the front-rear direction and efficiently secure the offset amount between the two fastening bosses 27 and 28.

[0053] In the above knuckle guard mounting structure, an upper locking wall 27a formed adjacent to the mirror fastening boss 27, and an upper locking piece 31a that protrudes from the upper fastening portion 31 fastened to the mirror fastening boss 27 in the bracket 30L and engages with the upper locking wall 27a in the rotational direction around the axial center C2 of the mirror fastening boss 27 to restrict the rotation of the upper fastening portion 31 around the axial center C2 of the upper fastening portion 31 are provided. According to this configuration, the upper locking wall 27a formed on the mirror fastening boss 27 and the upper locking piece 31a formed on the upper fastening portion 31 of the bracket 30L engage with each other in the rotational direction around the axial center C2 of the mirror fastening boss 27, thereby restricting the co-rotation of the upper fastening portion 31 during the fastening of the upper fastening portion 31 of the bracket 30L (preventing rotation) and facilitating the attachment of the bracket 30L.

[0054] In the above knuckle guard mounting structure, a lower locking wall 28a formed adjacent to the lower fastening boss 28, and a lower locking piece 38a that protrudes from the lower fastening portion 38 fastened to the lower fastening boss 28 in the bracket 30L and engages with the lower locking wall 28a in the rotational direction around the axial center C3 of the lower fastening portion 38 to restrict the rotation of the lower fastening portion 38 around the axial center C3 of the lower fastening portion 38 are provided. According to this configuration, the lower locking wall 28a formed on the lower fastening boss 28 and the lower locking piece 38a formed on the lower fastening portion 38 of the bracket 30L engage with each other in the rotational direction around the axial center C3 of the lower fastening boss 28, thereby restricting the co-rotation of the lower fastening portion 38 during the fastening of the lower fastening portion 38 of the bracket 30L (preventing rotation) and facilitating the attachment of the bracket 30L.

[0055] The bracket 30L for attaching the knuckle guard in the above embodiment is a knuckle guard attachment bracket that is attached to the mirror fastening boss 27 of the lever holder 20L that supports the clutch lever 21L and supports the knuckle guard 40L. The upper fastening portion 31 that is fastened together with the mirror 26 to the mirror fastening boss 27 at the upper part of the lever holder 20L, and the lower fastening portion 38 that is fastened to the lower fastening boss 28 having an axis C3 offset or inclined with respect to the axis C2 of the mirror fastening boss 27 at the lower part of the lever holder 20L. According to this configuration, by fastening the upper and lower fastening portions 31 and 38 to the upper and lower fastening bosses 27 and 28 whose axes C2 and C3 are offset or inclined with respect to each other, the mounting rigidity of itself and thus the mounting rigidity of the knuckle guard 40L can be increased, and it can be made difficult to rotate together when fastening the upper and lower fastening portions 31 and 38 to the respective fastening bosses 27 and 28.

[0056] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the knuckle guard attachment structure and attachment bracket of this embodiment may be applied to saddle-riding type vehicles other than motorcycles. The saddle-riding type vehicles include all vehicles in which the driver rides straddling the vehicle body, including not only motorcycles (including motor bicycles and scooter type vehicles), but also three-wheeled (including vehicles with one front wheel and two rear wheels, as well as vehicles with two front wheels and one rear wheel) or four-wheeled (such as four-wheel buggies) vehicles. Also, it may be applied to vehicles including an electric motor in the prime mover. And the configuration in the above embodiment is an example of the present invention, and various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention, such as replacing the components of the embodiment with well-known components.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0057] 1 Motorcycle (saddle-riding type vehicle) 2 Handlebar 20L Clutch holder (mirror holder) 26 Mirror 27 Mirror fastening boss C2 Axis (fastening central axis) 27a Upper locking wall (upper locking portion) 28 Lower fastening boss Axis C3 (fastening central axis line) 28a Lower locking wall (lower locking part) 30L Bracket (knuckle guard mounting bracket) 31 Upper fastening part 31a Upper locking piece (bracket upper locking part) 38 Lower fastening part 38a Lower locking piece (bracket lower locking part) 40L Knuckle guard

Claims

1. A knuckle guard mounting structure for a saddle-type vehicle (1) in which a knuckle guard (40L) is attached to a mirror fastening boss (27) of a mirror holder (20L) fixed to a handlebar (2), via a bracket (30L), wherein the bracket (30L) is fastened and fixed together with a mirror (26) to the mirror fastening boss (27) at the upper part of the mirror holder (20L), and a lower fastening boss (28) for fixing the lower part of the bracket (30L) is provided at the lower part of the mirror holder (20L), characterized in that the mirror fastening boss (27) and the lower fastening boss (28) are provided with their fastening central axes (C2, C3) offset from each other or inclined.

2. The knuckle guard mounting structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the mirror fastening boss (27) and the lower fastening boss (28) are provided with their fastening central axes (C2, C3) offset in the left-right direction and offset in the left-right direction from each other.

3. an upper locking portion (27a) formed on the mirror fastening boss (27), and a bracket upper locking portion (31a) formed on an upper fastening portion (31) fastened to the mirror fastening boss (27) of the bracket (30L), engaging with the upper locking portion (27a) in the rotational direction about the axis (C2) of the mirror fastening boss (27), and restricting the rotation of the upper fastening portion (31) about the axis (C2), the knuckle guard mounting structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by comprising the same.

4. a lower locking portion (28a) formed on the lower fastening boss (28), and a bracket lower locking portion (38a) formed on a lower fastening portion (38) fastened to the lower fastening boss (28) of the bracket (30L), engaging with the lower locking portion (28a) in the rotational direction about the axis (C3) of the lower fastening boss (28), and restricting the rotation of the lower fastening portion (38) about the axis (C3), the knuckle guard mounting structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by comprising the same.

5. A knuckle guard mounting bracket (30L) attached to a mirror fastening boss (27) of a mirror holder (20L) fixed to a handlebar (2) and supporting a knuckle guard (40L), wherein an upper fastening portion (31) fastened and fixed together with a mirror (26) is provided to the mirror fastening boss (27) at the upper part of the mirror holder (20L), A lower fastening portion (38) fastened to a lower fastening boss (28) having a fastening central axis (C3) offset or inclined with respect to the fastening central axis (C2) of the mirror fastening boss (27) at the lower part of the mirror holder (20L), and a knuckle guard mounting bracket characterized by comprising the same.

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