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 technology]

[0002] In saddle-type vehicles such as motorcycles, knuckle guards are often placed in front of the grips on the steering handles to protect the hands gripping the grips from wind and collisions with foreign objects. There are various mounting structures for knuckle guards, but for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which the knuckle guard is mounted to a lever holder (which also serves as a mirror holder) via a bracket. The bracket is fastened together with the mirror to a mirror fastening boss integrally formed on the top of the lever holder. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 58-93585 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the configuration of Patent Document 1, the bracket is attached to the mirror holder at a single point, the mirror fastening boss on the top of the mirror holder, which makes it difficult to ensure the support rigidity of the bracket and, by extension, the knuckle guard. Furthermore, when fastening the bracket, the bracket tends to rotate together with the mirror, making it difficult to attach the knuckle guard. In particular, even for the same vehicle model, the specifications of the power unit may differ, with some having a clutch lever and others not, and in such cases, a configuration is desired that allows the use of a common bracket regardless of the presence or absence of a clutch lever.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a knuckle guard mounting structure and knuckle guard mounting bracket that allows a knuckle guard to be mounted to a mirror holder on a handlebar, by increasing the support rigidity of the knuckle guard and facilitating its mounting to the mirror holder. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] As a means for solving the above problem, a first aspect of the present invention is a knuckle guard mounting structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle (1) in which a knuckle guard (40L) is mounted via a bracket (30L) to a mirror fastening boss (27) of a mirror holder (20L) fixed to a handlebar (2), characterized in that the bracket (30L) is 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 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 arranged with their fastening central axes (C2, C3) offset or inclined from each other. According to this configuration, the mirror fastening boss and the lower fastening boss are arranged offset or tilted from each other, which increases the mounting rigidity of the bracket and therefore the mounting rigidity of the knuckle guard compared to a configuration in which the mirror fastening boss and the lower fastening boss are arranged coaxially, and makes it less likely that the bracket will rotate together when fastened 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 arranged with their fastening central axes (C2, C3) offset from each other in the left-right direction. According to this configuration, the mirror fastening boss and the lower fastening boss are offset from each other in the left-right direction, so that the mirror fastening boss and the lower fastening boss are shifted along the length of the handle, thereby suppressing the bracket from protruding in the front-to-rear direction and efficiently ensuring the offset amount between the two fastening bosses.

[0008] A third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned first or second aspect, it comprises an upper locking portion (27a) formed on the mirror fastening boss (27), and a bracket upper locking portion (31a) formed on the upper fastening portion (31) fastened to the mirror fastening boss (27) on the bracket (30L), which engages with the upper locking portion (27a) in the rotation direction around the axis (C2) of the mirror fastening boss (27) and restricts the rotation of the upper fastening portion (31) around the axis (C2). 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 around the axis of the mirror fastening boss, thereby restricting the upper fastening portion from rotating together with the bracket when fastened (preventing rotation), making it easier to install the bracket.

[0009] A fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to third aspects, it comprises a lower locking portion (28a) formed on the lower fastening boss (28), and a bracket lower locking portion (38a) formed on the lower fastening portion (38) fastened to the lower fastening boss (28) on the bracket (30L), which engages with the lower locking portion (28a) in the rotational direction about the axis (C3) of the lower fastening boss (28) and restricts rotation of the lower fastening portion (38) about the axis (C3). According to this configuration, the lower engagement portion formed on the lower fastening boss and the bracket lower engagement portion formed on the lower fastening portion of the bracket engage with each other in the rotational direction around the axial center of the lower fastening boss, thereby restricting the lower fastening portion from rotating together when fastening the bracket's lower fastening portion (preventing rotation), making it easier to install the bracket.

[0010] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a knuckle guard mounting bracket (30L) that is attached to a mirror fastening boss (27) of a mirror holder (20L) fixed to a handlebar (2) and supports a knuckle guard (40L), characterized in that it comprises an upper fastening portion (31) that is fastened together with the mirror (26) to the mirror fastening boss (27) at the upper part of the mirror holder (20L), and a lower fastening portion (38) that is fastened to a lower fastening boss (28) at the lower part of the mirror holder (20L) and has a fastening central axis (C3) that is offset or inclined with respect to the fastening central axis (C2) of the mirror fastening boss (27). According to this configuration, by fastening the upper and lower fastening parts to upper and lower fastening bosses that are offset or tilted from each other, the mounting rigidity of the parts themselves and therefore the mounting rigidity of the knuckle guard is increased, and the upper and lower fastening parts are less likely to rotate together when fastened to each fastening boss. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, in a knuckle guard mounting structure and knuckle guard mounting bracket that enable a knuckle guard to be mounted to a mirror holder on a handlebar, the support rigidity of the knuckle guard can be increased and mounting to the mirror holder can be made easier. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of a motorcycle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the handlebar area of ​​the motorcycle. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the periphery of the handle of the motorcycle. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a front view showing the mounting structure of the left knuckle guard in the left lever holder fixed to the handlebar. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a front view of FIG. 4 with the left knuckle guard removed. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a side view of the bracket periphery of the left lever holder as viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a front view of the bracket and its surroundings in the left lever holder. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a side view of the bracket periphery of the left lever holder as viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the upper portion and periphery of the bracket of the left lever holder. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the periphery of a lower part of a bracket in the left lever holder. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a front end portion of a front body cover of the motorcycle. [Figure 12] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of wind entering the front body cover from the underside of the front body cover of the motorcycle. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, directions such as front, rear, left, and right are the same as directions in the vehicle described below unless otherwise specified. In addition, 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 top of the vehicle, and a line CL indicating the center of the left and right sides of the vehicle body are shown in appropriate positions. The term "middle" used in this embodiment means not only the center between both ends of an object, but also the range inside between both ends of an object.

[0014] <Entire vehicle> Fig. 1 is a side view showing a motorcycle 1 as an example of a saddle-ride type vehicle. Fig. 2 is a front view showing the periphery of a handlebar 2 of the motorcycle 1. Fig. 3 is a rear view showing the periphery of the handlebar 2 of the motorcycle 1. Referring to Figures 1 to 3, motorcycle 1 has front wheels (steered wheels) 3 steered by a bar-type handlebar 2, and rear wheels (driven wheels) 4 driven by a power unit P including an engine (internal combustion engine) E.

[0015] The steering system components, including the handlebars 2 and front wheel 3, are steerably supported on a head pipe 12 at the front end of the body frame 5. The steering system components include a pair of left and right front forks 11, and 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 handlebar 2 is attached to the top bridge 11b via a pair of left and right handlebar holders 11c.

[0016] Although the motorcycle 1 of the embodiment is equipped with a telescopic front fork 11 as a front suspension, the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the front suspension may be of another type, such as a link type using a swing arm.

[0017] The handlebars 2 are formed integrally across the entire width of the vehicle from round pipes made of, for example, aluminum alloy. The handlebars 2 have a pair of straight handlebars 2b on the left and right, each including a grip portion 2a that the rider grasps. The handlebars 2b are inclined left and right so that the outer handlebars 2b are positioned further rearward in the vehicle width direction, and extend generally along a horizontal plane. The handlebars 2 may also be separate handlebars, with the left and right handlebars 2b being separate from each other.

[0018] A right switch box (not shown) and a right lever holder 20R are attached to the inside of the right handlebar 2b in the vehicle width direction. A right operating lever (e.g., a brake lever) 21R and a right knuckle guard 40R are supported on the right lever holder 20R. The right operating lever (brake lever) 21R and the right knuckle guard 40R are disposed in front of the right grip portion 2a with a gap between them. For example, a brake master cylinder and a reserve tank are integrated into the right lever holder 20R. The right lever holder 20R also functions as a right mirror holder that supports the right rearview mirror 26.

[0019] A left switch box (not shown) and a left lever holder 20L are attached to the inside of the left handlebar 2b in the vehicle width direction. A left operating lever (e.g., clutch lever) 21L and a left knuckle guard 40L are supported on the left lever holder 20L. The left operating lever (clutch lever) 21L and the left knuckle guard 40L are disposed in front of the left grip portion 2a with a gap between them. The left lever holder 20L also serves as a left mirror holder that supports the left rearview mirror 26.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1 , the body frame 5 includes a head pipe 12 located at the front end; a pair of left and right main frames 13 that branch off from the upper portion of the head pipe 12 and extend rearward and downward; a pair of left and right down frames 14 that branch off from the lower portion of the head pipe 12 and extend rearward and downward at a steeper incline than the main frames 13; a pair of left and right pivot frames 15 whose upper ends are connected to the rear ends of the left and right main frames 13; and a pair of left and right seat frames 16 that extend rearward and upward from the upper portions of the left and right pivot frames 15. The left and right frame members are appropriately connected to each other 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-like manner by multiple inclined frames. The periphery of the body frame 5 is covered by a body cover 6. In the figure, reference numeral 6 denotes a front body cover (front cowl) 6a that covers the front portion of the body cover 6.

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

[0022] A seat 18 for a passenger to sit on is disposed above the left and right seat frames 16. A fuel tank 18a for the engine E is disposed below the seat 18 and between the left and right seat frames 16. An item storage box 8 is disposed inside the front body cover 6a in front of the seat 18. The item storage box 8 can be opened and closed using the top of the front body cover 6a as a lid. An air cleaner 9 for the engine E is disposed inside the front body cover 6a and in front of the item storage box 8.

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

[0024] To mitigate the impact of the traveling wind entering the front body cover 6a on the intake air, in this embodiment, a standing wall 6d is formed on the underside 6c of the front body cover 6a, protruding downward from the underside 6c. The standing wall 6d extends in the vehicle width direction along the front edge of the opening in the underside 6c. As a result, traveling wind flowing along the underside 6c strikes the standing wall 6d and separates, colliding with traveling wind flowing directly rearward without striking the standing wall 6d, thereby slowing down its flow velocity. This causes the traveling wind to diffuse, generating turbulence, and enter the front body cover 6a at a slower flow W1. The standing wall 6d is formed, for example, integrally with the lower part of the cover for the headlamp 6e located 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 connects and disconnects the power transmission between the engine E and the transmission M. The clutch is a normally closed clutch that is engaged when not in operation. The power unit P of the motorcycle 1 may be equipped with a transmission system having a manual clutch as described above, or may be equipped with a twin-clutch transmission system that separately controls a first clutch for odd-numbered gears and a second clutch for even-numbered gears. The former typically includes a clutch lever 21L on the left handlebar 2b so that the rider can disengage the clutch. The latter may not include an operator such as the clutch lever 21L because the clutch is automatically operated by a clutch actuator. The configuration with a clutch actuator is not limited to a twin-clutch transmission system; it may also be a combination of a normal transmission M and a single clutch. Furthermore, a configuration without a clutch operator may use a centrifugal clutch or a torque converter.

[0026] <Lever holder 20L> Fig. 4 is a front view showing the mounting 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 seen 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 seen from the inside in the vehicle width direction.

[0027] 4 to 8, the left knuckle guard 40L in this embodiment is attached to the left lever holder (mirror holder) 20L via a bracket 30L. In this embodiment, by using the bracket 30L in the attachment structure for the left knuckle guard 40L in the left lever holder 20L, the knuckle guard 40L can be attached in the same way regardless of whether the operating lever 21L is present or not. Note that in the attachment structure for the right knuckle guard 40R in the right lever holder 20R, the knuckle guard 40R may be attached directly to the right lever holder 20R without using a bracket, since the presence or absence of the operating lever 21R is irrelevant.

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

[0029] The lever holder 20L is divided into a front and a rear part in the radial direction of the handlebar 2b. The lever holder 20L includes a holder main body 23 having a lever support part 22 that rotatably supports the base part 21a of the clutch lever 21L, and a clamp member 24 that faces the holder main body 23 across the left handlebar 2b. The holder body 23 includes a handle receiving portion 23a having a semicircular inner peripheral surface that fits along the outer peripheral surface of the handlebar 2b, and bolt fastening portions 23b disposed above and below the handle receiving portion 23a. The bolt fastening portion 23b is formed with a screw hole into which a bolt B1 is fastened to fix the lever holder 20L to the handlebar 2b.

[0030] The clamp member 24 is provided with a handle receiving portion 24a having a semicircular inner peripheral surface that fits along the outer peripheral surface of the handlebar 2b, and bolt fastening portions 24b that are disposed above and below the handle receiving portion 24a. The bolt fastening portions 24b are formed with an insertion hole through which the neck of the bolt B1 is inserted. The handlebar 2b is sandwiched in the front-to-rear direction between the handle receiving portions 23a, 24a of the holder main body 23 and the clamp member 24. In this state, bolts B1 are inserted from the rear through the upper and lower bolt fastening portions 24b of the clamp member 24, and these bolts B1 are screwed into the upper and lower bolt fastening portions 23b of the holder main body 23 and tightened, thereby fixing the lever holder 20L to the handlebar 2b.

[0031] The bolt B1 is attached and detached from the rear side of the lever holder 20L because the lever support portion 22 and the like are located on the front side of the lever holder 20L. For example, if the lever holder 20L does not have a structure such as the lever support portion 22 on the front side but has a structure such as a parking brake operation portion on the rear side, the bolt B1 may be attached and detached from the front side of the lever holder (mirror holder) 20L.

[0032] The lever support portion 22 includes a pair of upper and lower support walls 22a, 22b spaced apart from each other so as to sandwich the base 21a of the operating lever 21L in the vertical direction. For example, the upper support wall 22a has an insertion hole through which a lever support shaft extending in the vertical direction is inserted. The lever support shaft is in the form of a shoulder bolt having a threaded shaft at its tip. The lower support wall 22b has a screw hole through which the tip of the lever support shaft is fastened. In the figure, reference numeral 22e denotes a cap nut that is screwed onto the threaded shaft of the lever support shaft.

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

[0034] A mirror fastening boss 27 is integrally formed on the upper part of the holder body 23 of the lever holder 20L, and fastens by tightening the lower end (screw shaft) of the mirror stay 26a of the rearview mirror 26. Line C2 in the drawing indicates the fastening center axis (axis center) of the mirror fastening boss 27 that faces the up-down direction. A lower fastening boss 28 for fixing the lower part of the bracket 30L is integrally formed at the lower part of the holder body 23 of the lever holder 20L. Line C3 in the drawing indicates the fastening central axis (axis center) of the lower fastening boss 28 that faces the up-down direction.

[0035] <Bracket 30L> The bracket 30L comprises an upper fastening portion 31 fastened to the mirror fastening boss 27, an upper inclined portion 32 extending from the front edge of the upper fastening portion 31 at a downward inclination toward the front, an upper guard fastening portion 33 extending forward from the front lower edge of the upper inclined portion 32, a front end wall portion 34 extending downward from the front edge of the upper guard fastening portion 33, an under-guard fastening portion 35 extending rearward from the lower edge of the front end wall portion 34, a hanging portion extending downward from the rear edge of the under-guard fastening portion 35, a lower inclined portion 37 extending at a downward inclination toward the rear from the lower edge of the hanging portion, and a lower fastening portion 38 extending rearward from the rear edge of the lower inclined portion 37 and 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 arranged to be parallel to each other. The central axis C3 of the lower fastening boss 28 is shifted rearward and inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the central axis C2 of the mirror fastening boss 27.

[0037] The bracket 30L that supports the knuckle guard 40L is attached to the mirror fastening boss 27 on the upper part of the lever holder 20L and the lower fastening boss 28 on the lower part of the lever holder 20L, and by offsetting these upper and lower mounting positions (fastening center axes C2, C3) front to back and left to right, rotation of the bracket 30L about its mounting position center can be suppressed and mounting rigidity can be increased compared to when the upper and lower mounting positions are arranged coaxially with each other.

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

[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 further forward, while the central axis C2 of the mirror fastening boss 27 is generally aligned vertically. The clutch lever 21L rotates along a plane (rotation plane) S1 that is perpendicular to the central axis C1 of the lever support shaft. The upper and lower guard fastening walls of the bracket 30L are formed parallel to the rotation plane S1 of the clutch lever 21L.

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

[0041] The bracket 30L that supports the knuckle guard 40L is fastened not only to the mirror fastening boss 27 at the top of the lever holder 20L but also to the lower fastening boss 28 at the bottom of the lever holder 20L, thereby increasing the support rigidity of the bracket 30L and therefore the knuckle guard 40L.

[0042] When attaching the knuckle guard 40L to the left lever holder 20L, if different mounting parts such as the bracket 30L were used depending on whether or not the clutch lever 21L is installed, this could increase the number of parts and increase costs. In response to this, the lever support portion 22 of the lever holder 20L is shaped to detour between the upper and lower fastening portions 31, 38 of the bracket 30L, leaving a gap in the front, so that a common bracket 30L can be used regardless of whether or not the clutch lever 21L is installed. In other words, even if the specifications of the power unit P are different for the same vehicle model (whether or not the clutch lever 21L is installed), the use of a common bracket 30L can increase the versatility of the mounting parts for the knuckle guard 40L and reduce costs.

[0043] The upper and lower fastening bosses 27, 28 are arranged with their central axes C2, C3 offset from each other in the front-rear and left-right directions so as not to be coaxial with each other. By arranging the upper and lower fastening bosses 27, 28 so as not to be coaxial with each other in this manner, the bracket 30L is prevented from rotating around the mirror fastening boss 27 or the lower fastening boss 28.

[0044] Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the upper and lower peripheries of the bracket 30L of the left lever holder 20L. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the lower and lower peripheries of the bracket 30L of the left lever holder 20L. 9 and 10, the upper and lower fastening portions 31, 38 of the bracket 30L are each provided with a locking piece 31a, 38a that can abut against a locking wall 27a, 28a formed adjacent to the corresponding fastening boss 27, 28 in the tightening direction (indicated by arrow F1 in the figure) of the mirror stay 26a or the lower bolt B2. When the bracket 30L is fastened, the upper and lower locking pieces 31a, 38a abut against the corresponding locking wall 27a, 28a, respectively, thereby preventing the bracket 30L from rotating when the bolt or the like is tightened. This prevents the bracket 30L from rotating together with the bolt or the like when the bolt or the like is tightened, making it easier to attach the knuckle guard 40L.

[0045] The lever support portion 22 has a notch 22d formed between the upper and lower support pieces, into which the clutch lever 21L is inserted. For example, in a specification without the clutch lever 21L, the notch 22d may be eliminated. The notch 22d is hidden by the base portion 45 of the knuckle guard 40L, but a cover may be provided to cover the notch 22d.

[0046] <Knuckle Guard 40L> 4, 6, and 8, the knuckle guard 40L includes a guard body 41 that covers the grip portion 2a and the clutch lever 21L from the front with a gap therebetween, and a base 45 for attaching the guard body 41 to the lever holder 20L. The guard body 41 of the knuckle guard 40L is formed with a wider width in the vertical direction so as to completely cover the grip portion 2a and the lever from the front. The base 45 of the knuckle guard 40L is formed with a narrower width in the vertical direction than the guard body 41. The knuckle guard 40L is supported by the lever holder 20L on the inner side in the vehicle width direction (the base 45 side) and is cantilevered such that the outer side in the vehicle width direction is a free end.

[0047] The guard body 41 has a shallowly curved front portion 42 that bulges out toward the front of the vehicle, and an outer peripheral wall portion 43 that is formed across the upper and lower edges of the front portion 42 and the outer edge in the vehicle width direction and stands up toward the rear. When viewed from the front-rear direction, the front surface 42 has a trapezoidal shape in which the outer portion in the vehicle width direction protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction, tapering to a point. When viewed from the front-rear direction, the inner portion in the vehicle width direction of the front surface 42 has a trapezoidal shape in which the inner portion in the vehicle width direction protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction, tapering to a point. The outer peripheral wall portion 43 extends at an angle so as to widen outward from the outer peripheral edge of the front portion 42 when viewed from the front-rear direction.

[0048] The base 45 comprises a base front surface 46 formed to extend the vehicle width directional inner portion of the front surface 42 of the guard main body 41 inward in the vehicle width direction, and a base outer peripheral wall formed across the upper and lower edges and the vehicle width directional inner edge of the base front surface 46 and standing upright toward the rear. A rearward displacement portion 46a is formed on the inside in the vertical direction of the base front surface 46. The rearward displacement portion 46a is displaced rearward via a linear upper and lower step portion 46b that extends in the vehicle width direction. The inside in the vehicle width direction of the rearward displacement portion 46a is formed continuously to the inside end of the base 45 in the vehicle width direction. The outside in the vehicle width direction of the rearward displacement portion 46a gradually disappears at the inside part in the vehicle width direction of the front surface 42 of the guard main body 41. The base outer peripheral wall portion 47 extends at an angle so as to widen outward from the outer peripheral edge of the base front surface portion 46 when viewed from the front-rear direction.

[0049] The outer peripheral wall portions 43 located above and below the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the guard main body 41 are formed so that the width (depth) in the front-rear direction increases toward the base portion 45. This outer peripheral wall portion 43 is called a widened outer peripheral wall portion 43a. Base outer peripheral wall portions 47 located above and below the base 45 are formed with a front-rear width (depth) equivalent to the vehicle width direction inner ends of the upper and lower widened outer peripheral wall portions 43a of the guard main body 41. By forming the upper and lower outer peripheral wall portions 43, 47 wide from the vehicle width direction inner side of the guard main body 41 to the base 45, the rigidity of the base 45 side of the knuckle guard 40L, which is cantilevered on the base 45 side, is increased.

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

[0051] As described above, the knuckle guard mounting structure in the above embodiment is a knuckle guard mounting structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle that includes the lever holder 20L that supports the clutch lever 21L on the handlebars 2, and that mounts the knuckle guard 40L to the mirror fastening boss 27 of the lever holder 20L via the bracket 30L. The mirror 26 and the bracket 30L are fastened together and fixed to the mirror fastening boss 27 at the upper part of the lever holder 20L, and the lower fastening boss 28 that fixes the lower part of the bracket 30L is provided at the lower part of the lever holder 20L, and the mirror fastening boss 27 and the lower fastening boss 28 are arranged with their axes C2, C3 offset or tilted from each other. According to this configuration, the mirror fastening boss 27 and the lower fastening boss 28 are arranged with their axes C2, C3 offset or tilted from each other, which increases the mounting rigidity of the bracket 30L and therefore the mounting rigidity of the knuckle guard 40L compared to a configuration in which the mirror fastening boss 27 and the lower fastening boss 28 are arranged coaxially with each other, and makes it less likely that the bracket 30L will rotate together when fastened to each fastening boss 27, 28.

[0052] In the knuckle guard mounting structure, the mirror fastening boss 27 and the lower fastening boss 28 are provided with their axes C2 and C3 offset from each other in the left-right direction. According to this configuration, the mirror fastening boss 27 and the lower fastening boss 28 are arranged with their axes C2, 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 length direction of the handlebar 2b, thereby suppressing the protrusion of the bracket 30L in the front-to-rear direction and efficiently ensuring the offset amount between the two fastening bosses 27, 28.

[0053] The knuckle guard mounting structure includes an upper locking wall 27a formed adjacent to the mirror fastening boss 27, and an upper locking piece 31a formed to protrude from an upper fastening portion 31 fastened to the mirror fastening boss 27 of the bracket 30L, which engages with the upper locking wall 27a in the rotation direction about the axis C2 of the mirror fastening boss 27, thereby restricting rotation of the upper fastening portion 31 about the axis C2. 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 axis C2 of the mirror fastening boss 27, thereby restricting the upper fastening portion 31 of the bracket 30L from rotating together when fastening the upper fastening portion 31 (no rotation prevention), making it easier to install the bracket 30L.

[0054] The knuckle guard mounting structure includes a lower locking wall 28a formed adjacent to the lower fastening boss 28, and a lower locking piece 38a formed to protrude from a lower fastening portion 38 fastened to the lower fastening boss 28 of the bracket 30L, which engages with the lower locking wall 28a in the rotational direction about the axis C3 of the lower fastening portion 38, thereby restricting rotation of the lower fastening portion 38 about the axis C3. 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 axis C3 of the lower fastening boss 28, thereby restricting the lower fastening portion 38 of the bracket 30L from rotating together when fastening the lower fastening portion 38 (no rotation prevention), making it easier to install the bracket 30L.

[0055] The knuckle guard mounting bracket 30L in the above embodiment is a knuckle guard mounting bracket 30L 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, and is equipped with an upper fastening portion 31 that is fastened together with the mirror 26 to the mirror fastening boss 27 at the top of the lever holder 20L, and a lower fastening portion 38 that is fastened to a lower fastening boss 28 at the bottom of the lever holder 20L and has an axis C3 that is offset or inclined with respect to the axis C2 of the mirror fastening boss 27. According to this configuration, by fastening the upper and lower fastening portions 31, 38 to the upper and lower fastening bosses 27, 28 whose axis centers C2, C3 are offset or inclined from each other, the mounting rigidity of the fastening portions 31, 38 themselves and therefore the mounting rigidity of the knuckle guard 40L is increased, and the upper and lower fastening portions 31, 38 are less likely to rotate together when fastened to the respective fastening bosses 27, 28.

[0056] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the knuckle guard mounting structure and mounting bracket of the present embodiment may be applied to saddle-ride type vehicles other than motorcycles. Saddle-ride type vehicles include all vehicles on which a rider straddles the body, including not only motorcycles (including motorized bicycles and scooters), but also three-wheeled vehicles (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 vehicles (such as four-wheeled buggies). The present invention may also be applied to vehicles that include an electric motor as a prime mover. The configurations in the above-described embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention, such as replacing the components of the embodiments with well-known components. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1. Motorcycles (saddle-type vehicles) 2 handles 20L Clutch holder (mirror holder) 26 Mirror 27 Mirror fastening boss C2 axis (fastening center axis) 27a Upper locking wall (upper locking part) 28 Lower fastening boss C3 axis (fastening center axis) 28a Lower locking wall (lower locking part) 30L Bracket (Knuckle guard mounting bracket) 31 Upper fastening part 31a Upper locking piece (upper locking part of bracket) 38 Lower fastening section 38a Lower locking piece (bracket lower locking part) 40L knuckle guard

Claims

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

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

3. An upper locking portion (27a) formed on the mirror fastening boss (27); 3. The knuckle guard mounting structure according to claim 1, further comprising: a bracket upper locking portion (31a) formed on an upper fastening portion (31) that is fastened to the mirror fastening boss (27) of the bracket (30L), which engages with the upper locking portion (27a) in the rotational direction about the axis (C2) of the mirror fastening boss (27), and which restricts rotation of the upper fastening portion (31) about the axis (C2).

4. a lower locking portion (28a) formed on the lower fastening boss (28); a bracket lower locking portion (38a) formed on a lower fastening portion (38) that is fastened to the lower fastening boss (28) of the bracket (30L), that engages with the lower locking portion (28a) in a rotational direction about the axis (C3) of the lower fastening boss (28), and that restricts rotation of the lower fastening portion (38) about the axis (C3).

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

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