S&F Ref: 843942 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name and Address Honda Motor Co., Ltd., of 1-1, Minami-Aoyama 2 of Applicant: chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 107-8556, Japan Actual Inventor(s): Dai Hiwatashi Address for Service: Spruson & Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 35 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Invention Title: Fuel supply system for small vehicle The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 5845c(1 118845_1) - 1 FUEL SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR SMALL VEHICLE Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fuel supply system for a small vehicle. Specifically, an engine and a fuel tank are mounted on a vehicle body frame. The engine s is provided with a fuel injection valve, and the fuel tank has a fuel pump attached thereto. The fuel pump and the fuel injection valve are connected to each other via a conduit means. Background of the Invention Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication No. 2003-254185 discloses a 10 structure in which a female joint of a quick connector is provided to each of the two ends of a fuel hose for guiding fuel from a fuel tank to a fuel injection valve side. In some cases, a narrow gap or a through hole is disposed in the middle of the installation path of a fuel hose. In the structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication No. 2003-254185, however, a female joint of a quick connector is 15 provided to each of the two ends of the fuel hose. The female joint has a diameter larger than that of the fuel hose. For this reason, when the gap is narrow, or when the through hole has a small diameter, it is difficult to install the fuel hose. Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate the 20 disadvantage of the prior art, or at least to provide a useful alternative. Summary of the Invention Accordingly, the present invention provides a fuel supply system for a small vehicle including an engine provided with: a fuel injection valve; a fuel tank provided with a fuel pump attached thereto; and a vehicle body frame, the engine and the fuel tank 25 being mounted on the vehicle body frame, the fuel supply system comprising: conduit means connecting the fuel pump and the fuel injection valve to each other; a fuel hose constituting part of the conduit means; and 30 a quick connector with a male joint provided to at least one of the two ends of the fuel hose; -2 a through hole that the fuel hose penetrates, that is disposed in the middle of a path on which the fuel hose is installed, wherein the male joint can penetrate the through hole; and a cylindrical member provided to the fuel tank, the cylindrical member forming 5 the through hole vertically penetrating the fuel tank. Preferably, the outside diameter of the male joint is smaller than the inside diameter of the through hole. Preferably, the fuel supply system further comprises an additional fuel hose constituting a rest portion of the conduit means, wherein the male joint is adapted to io combine with a female joint to constitute the quick connector, the female joint being provided to an end of the different fuel hose, the end being connected to the fuel hose. Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred embodiment will now be described, by way of an example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: is Fig. I is a left-side view of a motorcycle; Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a chief part in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a left-side view showing a front part of the motorcycle in an enlarged scale; Fig 4 is a left-side view showing part of the configuration of an intake system; 20 Fig. 5 is a view in the direction of the arrow 5 in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 in Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a plan view showing part of the configuration of an exhaust system; Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8 in Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a partially cutaway left-side view of a vicinity of a fuel tank; 25 Fig. 10 is a view along the line 10-10 in the direction of the arrows 10 in Fig. 9 in a state where a rider's seat and a pump cover are omitted; Fig. II is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a connection structure of fuel hoses; Fig. 12 is a partially cutaway left-side view showing a front portion of a vehicle 30 body frame in an enlarged scale; Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing a state where electronic equipment is attached to a main frame, as viewed from the rear right side; Fig. 14 is a left-side view of a stay; -3 Fig. 15 is a view in the direction of the arrow 15 in Fig. 14; and Fig. 16 is a view in the direction of the arrow 16 in Fig. 14. Preferred Embodiment of the Invention Fig. 1 to Fig. 16 show an example of the present invention. Fig. I is a left-side s view of a motorcycle. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a chief part in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a left side view showing a front portion of the motorcycle in an enlarged scale. Fig. 4 is a left side view showing part of the configuration of an intake system. Fig. 5 is a view in the direction of the arrow 5 in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a plan view showing part of the configuration of an exhaust system. 10 Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8 in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a partially cutaway left-side view of a vicinity of a fuel tank. Fig. 10 is a view along the line 10-10 in the direction of the arrows 10 in Fig. 9 in a state where a rider's seat and a pump cover are omitted. Fig. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a connection structure of fuel hoses. Fig. 12 is a partially cutaway left-side view showing a front portion of a 15 vehicle body frame in an enlarged scale. Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing a state where electronic equipment is attached to a main frame, as viewed from the rear right side. Fig. 14 is a left-side view of a stay. Fig. 15 is a view in the direction of the arrow 15 in Fig. 14. Fig. 16 is a view in the direction of the arrow 16 in Fig. 14. Note that, in the following description, "front," "rear," "left," and "right" 20 indicate directions with respect to a direction in which the motorcycle travels. Firstly, refer to Fig. 1. A vehicle body frame F of a motorcycle, which is a small vehicle, includes a head pipe 22, a main frame 23, and a rear frame 24. The head pipe 22 supports front forks 21 in a manner that the front forks 21 can be steered. The front forks 21 pivotally support a front wheel WF at the lower ends of the front forks 21. The main 25 frame 23 has a pipe shape, and extends downward and rearward from the head pipe 22. The rear frame 24 is continuously connected to a lower portion of the main frame 23, and can be divided into the left and right parts. A bar-shaped steering handlebar 25 is joined to the upper portion of the front forks 21, while a front fender 26 covering the front wheel WF from above is provided to the front forks 21. The rear frame 24 is formed to function 30 also as a rear fender, which covers a rear wheel WR from above. A lid 28 for maintenance, which can be opened and closed, is attached to the left-side surface of the rear frame 24 at a position corresponding to a battery 27, which is housed and disposed inside the rear frame 24.
-4 An engine body 30 of an engine E is disposed below the main frame 23 to be supported by the main frame 23. The engine E produces a power for driving the rear wheel WR. A transmission (not illustrated) for changing the power from the engine E is housed in a crankcase 31 of the engine body 30. An output shaft 33 of the transmission s protrudes from the crankcase 31. The front end portion of a swing arm 34 extending to the side of the rear wheel WR is pivotally and swingably supported on the crankcase 31 rearward of the output shaft 33, while an axle shaft 35 of the rear wheel WR is axially and rotatably supported at a rear portion of the swing arm 34. A rear cushion unit 36 is provided between the rear frame 24 and the rear portion of the swing arm 34. 10 Chain transmission means 38 using an endless chain 37 is provided between the output shaft 33 and the axle shaft 35. The power outputted from the output shaft 33 is transmitted to the rear wheel WR via the chain transmission means 38. A fuel tank 40 is provided to be an externally-visible component above the front portion of the rear frame 24. A rider's seat 41 is arranged to cover the upper side of the is fuel tank 40. Refer to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 together. The engine E is an air-cooled engine, and the engine body 30 thereof is supported by the main frame 23 of the vehicle body frame F in a state that the cylinder axis is substantially horizontal. An intake system 42 is connected to the side surface of the upper portion of a cylinder head 32, which constitutes part of the 20 engine body 30. The intake system 42 includes an air cleaner 43, a connecting tube 44, a throttle body 45, and an intake pipe 47. The air cleaner 43 is arranged above the front of the engine body 30. The connecting tube 44 introduces air purified in the air cleaner 43. The throttle body 45 having a fuel injection valve 46 attached thereto is arranged below the air cleaner 43 so as to be connected to the downstream end of the connecting tube 44. 25 The intake pipe 47 is provided between the throttle body 45 and the cylinder head 32. Refer to Fig. 4 to Fig. 6 together. A cleaner case 48 of the air cleaner 43 is constituted of an upper case part 49 and a lower case part 50, each of which is made of a synthetic resin. The lower case part 50 is detachably attached to the upper case part 49. The upper case part 49 and the lower case part 50 are fastened to each other with screw 30 members 51 ... in a manner that the lower end of the upper case part 49, having a bowl shape opening downward, and the upper end of the lower case part 50, having a bowl shape opening upward, are connected to each other. A pair of brackets 49a and 49a are provided integrally on the upper portion of the upper case part 49. The pair of brackets 49a and 49a sandwich, from the two sides, the 35 main frame 23 of the vehicle body frame F. These brackets 49 and 49 are fastened to the -5 main frame 23 with bolts 52.... In this way, the upper case part 49 is supported by, and fixed to, the vehicle body frame F. In the cleaner case 48, housed is a cleaner element 54, which is formed in a cylindrical shape, and which is attached to an element supporting frame 53. Maintenance 5 can be performed on the cleaner element 54 when the lower case part 50 is removed from the upper case part 49. In this embodiment, rubbers 57..., attached to two portions on the lower portion of the element supporting frame 53, are snap fitted respectively into fitting holes 58... provided in the lower case part 50, so that the element supporting frame 53 is supported on the lower case part 50. The element supporting frame 53 with the cleaner 10 element 54 mounted thereon is attached to the lower case part 50, and then the lower case part 50 is attached to the upper case part 49. As a result, the entire periphery of the upper surface of the element supporting frame 53 is brought into close contact with the inner surface of the upper portion of the upper case part 49. The inside of the cleaner case 48 having the cleaner element 54 housed therein is is defined into an unpurified chamber 55 surrounding the cleaner element 54 and a purified chamber 56 inside the cleaner element 54. As indicated by the arrows in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, air from the outside is introduced into the unpurified chamber 55 from air introduction holes 57... which are provided in both of the left and right sides of the lower case part 50, and which open rearward. 20 The connecting tube 44 is constituted of: an upstream-side connecting pipe 60 made of rubber, a downstream-side connecting pipe 61 made of rubber and connected to the throttle body 45, a tube 62 formed of a synthetic resin by blow molding, and clamp belts 63 and 64. Here, the upstream-side connecting pipe 60 and the downstream-side connecting pipe 61 are connected respectively to the two ends of the tube 62 with the 25 corresponding clamp belts 63 and 64. An intermediate portion of the upstream-side connecting pipe 60 is attached to the upper case part 49 of the cleaner case 48 in a manner that the upstream end of the upstream-side connecting pipe 60 enters the inside of the purified chamber 56 of the air cleaner 43. The upstream-side connecting pipe 60 penetrates the upper case part 49, so that 30 air inside the purified chamber 56 is guided upward. The downstream end of the upstream-side connecting pipe 60 is curved to face obliquely rightward and downward to the rear. The upstream-side half part of the tube 62 is connected to the upstream-side connecting pipe 60, and extends rearward to be sloped obliquely rearward and downward along the main frame 23 while being curved to be arched rightward. The downstream 35 side half part of the tube 62 turns around at the downstream end of the upstream-side half -6 part, and then extends obliquely leftward and upward to the front. The downstream end of the downstream-side half part is then curved to be arched upward in a manner of further turning around to face downward. Moreover, the downstream-side connecting pipe 61 has the upstream end arranged to face upward so as to be connected to the s downstream end of the tube 62. The downstream-side connecting pipe 61 extends downward from the upstream end thereof, is then bent to the right, and is further bent to the rear to be connected to the throttle body 45. In other words, the connecting tube 44 in which the upstream-side and downstream-side connecting pipes 60 and 61 are connected respectively to the two ends io of the tube 62 includes a first ascending pipe part 44a, a first descending pipe part 44b, a second ascending pipe part 44c, and a second descending pipe part 44d, the four portions of which are connected to one after another in this order. To be specific, the first ascending pipe part 44a is constituted of the upstream-side connecting pipe 60, and guides air upward from the inside of the air cleaner 43. The first descending pipe part 44b is 15 constituted of the upstream-side half part of the tube 62, and causes the flow direction of the air from the first ascending pipe part 44a to turn around, thus introducing the air downward. The second ascending pipe part 44c is constituted of the downstream-side half part of the tube 62, and part of the downstream-side connecting pipe 61, and causes the flow direction of the air from the first descending pipe part 44b to turn around, thus 20 introducing the air upward. The second descending pipe part 44d is constituted of the rest of the downstream-side connecting pipe 61, and causes the flow direction of the air from the second ascending pipe part 44c to turn around, thus introducing the air to the throttle body 45 side, below the second descending pipe part 44d. The connecting tube 44 is formed in a manner of being bent to extend to the right side and then back to the left side 25 in the width direction of the motorcycle, and concurrently to extend to the upper side and then back to the lower side in the up-and-down directions. Moreover, a connecting pipe portion 65 is integrally provided to a lower portion of the connecting part between the first descending pipe part 44b and the second ascending pipe part 44c of the connecting tube 44. The connecting pipe portion 65 30 extends downward and rearward. A breather tube 66 is connected to the connecting pipe portion 65, and guides a blow-by gas from the crankcase 31 of the engine body 30. Focus on Fig. 1, Fig. 2, and Fig. 7. An exhaust system 67 is connected to the side surface of the lower portion of the cylinder head 32 in the engine body 30. The exhaust system 67 includes a first exhaust pipe 68, a catalytic converter 69, a second 35 exhaust pipe 70, and an exhaust muffler 71. The first exhaust pipe 68 is connected, at the -7 upstream end thereof, to the side surface of the lower portion of the cylinder head 32, and then turns around to the rear. The catalytic converter 69 is connected to the downstream end of the first exhaust pipe 68. The second exhaust pipe 70 is connected, at the upstream end thereof, to the catalytic converter 69, and extends toward the right side of the rear s wheel WR. The exhaust muffler 71 is connected to the downstream end of the second exhaust pipe 70. Refer to Fig. 8. The catalytic converter 69 includes an inner case 72, an outer case 73 covering the inner case 72, and a columnar-shaped catalyst 74 housed in the inner case 72. 10 The inner case 72 is provided with a partition 77, which divides, into an inlet chamber 75 and an outlet chamber 76, a space portion facing one end side of the catalyst 74. In addition, a middle chamber 78 facing the other end side of the catalyst 74 is formed in the inner case 72. The first exhaust pipe 68 penetrates, in an air tight manner, the outer case 73 to be connected to the inner case 72, so that the downstream end of the 15 first exhaust pipe 68 communicates with the inlet chamber 75. The second exhaust pipe 70 penetrates, in an air tight manner, the outer case 73 to be connected to the inner case 72, so that the upstream end of the second exhaust pipe 70 communicates with the outlet chamber 76. Accordingly, an exhaust gas extracted from the cylinder head 32 is introduced into the inlet chamber 75 on a first end side of the catalytic converter 69. 20 Then, the exhaust gas flows inside the catalyst 74 to the middle chamber 78 side on a second end side of the catalytic converter 69. Subsequently, the exhaust gas flows inside the catalyst 74 from the middle chamber 78 to the outlet chamber 75 on the first end side of the catalytic converter 69. After that, the exhaust gas is guided out to the second exhaust pipe 70 side. 25 Refer to Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 together. Attachment plate portions 40a and 40b, spaced apart from each other in the front and rear direction, protrude from the lower portion of the fuel tank 40. The attachment plate portions 40a and 40b are fastened to the rear frame 24 with bolts 79 and 80, so that the fuel tank 40 is fixed on the rear frame 24. Fuel in the fuel tank 40 is supplied to the fuel injection valve 46 by a fuel pump 30 84. The fuel pump 84 includes a suction pipe 85, a strainer 86, and a discharge pipe 87. The suction pipe 85 extends vertically in the fuel tank 40. The strainer 86 continues from the lower end of the suction pipe 85. The discharge pipe 87 is arranged above the fuel tank 40. A flange 84a is provided on the upper portion of the fuel pump 84 with a gasket 83 placed between the flange 84a and the upper surface of the fuel tank 40. The gasket 83 35 and the flange 84a are sandwiched between the fuel tank 40 and a pressing plate 88. The -8 flange 84a and the pressing plate 88 are fastened together to the fuel tank 40 with a plurality of bolts 89..., which are implanted on the fuel tank 40 side, and nuts 90..., which are screwed on the respective bolts 89... in a manner that the nuts 90... abut on, and engage with, the pressing plate 88. As a result, the fuel pump 84 is fixed to the fuel 5 tank 40. In addition, the fuel pump 84 is equipped with a float 91 for detecting a fuel level in the fuel tank 40. The front portion of the rider's seat 41 is joined to the upper front portion of the fuel tank 40 with a hinge 92 in between. The rider's seat 41 can be pivotally moved between a position where the rider's seat 41 covers the fuel tank 40 from above, and a io position to which the rider's seat 41 is pivotally moved frontward to expose the upper portion of the fuel tank 40 upward. A pair of elastic members 93... are attached to the bottom surface of the rear portion of the rider's seat 41. The elastic members 93... are in contact with the upper surface of the fuel tank 40 when the rider's seat 41 is at the position where the rider's seat 41 covers the fuel tank 40 from above. is Fuel from the discharge pipe 87 of the fuel tank 40 is supplied to the fuel injection valve 46 via conduit means 94. This conduit means 94 is arranged to vertically penetrate the fuel tank 40. Refer to Fig. 11. The conduit means 94 includes a first fuel hose 95 on the fuel tank 40 side and a second fuel hose 96 on the fuel injection valve 46 side. On the other 20 hand, a cylindrical member 98 are welded, at the upper and lower portions thereof, to the fuel tank 40 in a manner that the fluid tightness is maintained over the entire circumference of the cylindrical member 98. The cylindrical member 98 forms a first through hole 97 vertically penetrating the fuel tank 40. The first fuel hose 95, which constitutes at least part (part in this embodiment) of the conduit means 94 to be connected 25 to the discharge pipe 87 of the fuel tank 40, is allowed to penetrate the first through hole 97 to be installed. Below the fuel tank 40, the first fuel hose 95 is installed in a manner of extending frontward through the inside of the rear frame 24. Moreover, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, a grommet 100 including a second through hole 99 is attached to the front portion of the rear frame 24. The first fuel hose 95 extends frontward to penetrate the 30 second through hole 99. A male joint 104 of a first quick connector 101 is provided to at least one of the two end portions of the first hose 95. In this embodiment, the male joint 104 capable of penetrating the first and second through holes 97 and 99 is provided to a first end portion, on the second fuel hose 96 side, of the two end portions of the first hose 95. In other 35 words, the male joint 104 has an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameters -9 respectively of the first and second through holes 97 and 99. In addition, a female joint 107 of a second quick connector 102 is provided to the end portion, on the fuel tank 40 side, of the first fuel hose 95. A male joint 106 of the second quick connector 102 is provided to the discharge s pipe 87 of the fuel tank 40. The female joint 107 of the first fuel hose 95 is fitted onto, and connected to, the male joint 106, so that the first end portion of the first fuel hose 95 is connected to the discharge pipe 87. On the other hand, a first end portion of the second fuel hose 96, which constitutes the conduit means 94 together with the first fuel hose 95, is provided with a female joint 105 of the first quick connector 101. The male joint 104 to of the corresponding end portion of the first fuel hose 95 can be fitted into, and connected to, the female joint 105. Moreover, a second end portion of the second fuel hose 96 is connected to the fuel injection valve 46 via a third quick connector 103. A female joint 109 of the third quick connector 103 is provided to the second end portion of the second fuel hose 96, while a male joint 108 of the third quick connector 103 is provided to the is fuel injection valve 46 side. Since a normal fuel hose is generally provided with female joints respectively on the two ends thereof, such a normal fuel hose is used as the second fuel hose 96. Refer to Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 again. A pump cover 110 covers, from above: the fuel pump 84 attached to the upper surface of the fuel tank 40; the connection portion 20 between the first fuel hose 95 and the discharge pipe 87 of the fuel pump 84; and the insertion portion of the first fuel hose 95 into the upper end of the cylindrical member 98. This pump cover 110 is fastened with a plurality of bolts 111 ... to the pressing plate 88 provided for attaching the fuel pump 84 to the fuel tank 40. The pump cover 110 is thus attached to the upper surface of the fuel tank 40. 25 In addition, an intermediate portion, closer to the first end portion, of the second fuel hose 96 in the conduit means 94 is held by a clip 112. The clip 112 is then mounted on a stay 113 attached to the engine body 30. Refer to Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 together. A gusset 115 is provided to the joint portion of the head pipe 22 and the main frame 23. The gusset 115 has an attachment 30 surface I15a inclined to face obliquely rearward, and covers the joint portion from above. A supporting stay 116 extending rearward and upward is fixed to the gusset 115. An electronic control unit 117, a regulator 118, and a bank angle sensor 119, which are electrical equipment, are attached to the supporting stay 116. Further refer to Fig. 14 to Fig. 16 together. The supporting stay 116 is formed by 35 welding two bent metallic plate members. The supporting stay 116 includes an - 10 attachment plate part 11 6a, a first supporting plate part 11 6b, a second supporting plate part 116c, a leg part 116d, a third supporting plate part 11 6e, a supporting claw part 116f, and a fourth supporting plate part 116g. The attachment plate part 11 6a has a flat shape, and is attached to the attachment surface 115a of the gusset 115. The first supporting 5 plate part 11 6b continues at a right angle from the right end of the attachment plate part I I6a, and extends upward obliquely to the rear. The second supporting plate part 11 6c has a proximal end which continues from the left side surface of the lower portion of an intermediate portion, in the front and rear directions, of the first supporting plate part 11 6b. The second supporting plate part 11 6c then extends upward from the proximal end, 10 and is concurrently inclined to be separated away from the first supporting plate part I 16b as extending upward. The leg part 116d is formed in a substantially "L" shape, and extends rearward from the lower portion of the intermediate portion, in the front and rear directions, of the first supporting plate part 116b. The third supporting plate part 116e continues at a right angle from the rear end of the leg part 116d, and extends to the left is and right. The supporting claw part 116f continues from the upper portion of the intermediate portion, in the front and rear direction, of the first supporting plate part 11 6b. The supporting claw part 116f then extends to both of the left and right. The fourth supporting plate part 116g continues at a right angle from the rear portion of the first supporting plate part 11 6b. 20 A pair of upper and lower weld nuts 120 and 120 are fixed to the back side of the attachment surface I15a of the gusset 115. The attachment supporting plate portion 116a is fixed to the gusset 115 with bolts 121 and 121 screwed respectively into the weld nuts 120 and 120. A pair of weld nuts 122 and 122 are fixed to the left side surface of the first 25 supporting plate part 116b while being spaced apart from each other in the front and rear directions. The regulator 118, which is arranged to the right of the first supporting plate part I 16b, is attached to the first supporting plate part 1 16b with bolts 123 and 123, which are screwed respectively into the weld nuts 122.... The electronic control unit 117 is held by a holding frame 124 made of an elastic 30 material, such as rubber, and is arranged to the right of the first supporting plate part 116b. The second supporting plate part 116c is inserted into a supporting hole 125 provided to the holding frame 124, so that the electronic control unit 117 is attached to the second supporting plate part 11 6c. Weld nuts 126 and 126 are fixed to the front surface of the third supporting plate 35 part 11 6e, respectively at two positions spaced apart from each other in the left and right - 11 directions. The bank angle sensor 119 is arranged to the rear of the third supporting plate part 11 6e. The bank angle sensor 119 is attached to the third supporting plate part 1 6e with bolts 128 and 128 screwed respectively into the weld nuts 126... in a state where mount rubbers 127, 127 are placed between the bank angle sensor 119 and the third 5 supporting plate part 116e. Moreover, the supporting stay 116, the electronic control unit 117, the regulator 118, and the bank angle sensor 119 are covered with an electrical equipment cover 128 from above as well as from the left and right sides, while the electronic control unit 117, the regulator 118, and the bank angle sensor 119 are attached to the supporting stay 116. to The electrical equipment cover 128 is made of an elastic material in a substantially "U" shape having a vertical cross section opening downward. The supporting claw part 116f of the supporting stay 116 is inserted into the upper portion of the electrical equipment cover 128, so that the electrical equipment cover 128 is supported by the supporting stay 116. is Meanwhile, both of the left and right legs of the rider seated on the rider's seat 41 are covered with a leg shield 129. The leg shield 129 is fastened, at lower portions thereof, to stays 131 fixed respectively to the two sides of the engine body 30. In addition, a center cover 130 is also provided continuously to, and integrally with, the leg shield 129. The center cover 130 covers the main frame 23 from above, and also covers 20 the front portion of the engine body 30 and the intake system 42 from the left and right sides. The center cover 130 is fastened, at upper front portions thereof, respectively to the two sides of the front portion, close to the head pipe 22, of the main frame 23. The center cover 130 is provided integrally with a cover portion 130a raised upward. The cover portion 130a covers: the supporting stay 116; the electronic control 25 unit 117, the regulator 118, and the bank angle sensor 119, the three of which are attached to the supporting stay 116; and the electrical equipment cover 128. An opening portion 132 is provided in the rear portion of the cover portion 130a. A cap 133 for closing the opening portion 132 is detachably attached to the fourth supporting plate part l I6g of the supporting stay 116. Specifically, an attachment 30 bolt 134 protruding rearward from the opening portion 132 is fixed to the fourth supporting plate part 116g. The cap 133 is attached to the supporting stay 116 as closing the opening portion 132 by screwing a cap nut 135 onto the protruding end portion of the attachment bolt 134 penetrating the cap 133. The cap 133 can be removed by loosening and removing the cap nut 135.
- 12 Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. The connecting tube 44, which connects between the air cleaner 43 and the throttle body 45 in the intake system 42, is bent to extend to the right side and then back to the left side in the width direction of the motor cycle. Accordingly, it is possible to form a compact intake system while 5 increasing the low-speed torque by securing the intake pipe length. In addition, the tube 62 constituting part of the connecting tube 44 is formed of a synthetic resin by blow molding. This makes it possible to easily form the bent connecting tube 44, thus elongating the connecting tube 44. Moreover, the throttle body 45 and the engine body 30 are arranged below the air 1o cleaner 43. In addition, the connecting tube 44 is provided with: the first descending pipe part 44b, which is connected to the air cleaner 43 via the first ascending pipe part 44a, and which guides air downward from the air cleaner 43; the second ascending pipe part 44c, which is folded back at the lower end of the first descending pipe part 44b to guide air upward; and the second descending pipe part 44d, which is folded back at the upper end 15 of the second ascending pipe part 44c, and which is connected to the throttle body 45 to guide air downward. Furthermore, the breather tube 66, extending from the crankcase 31 of the engine body 30, is connected to the connecting part between the first descending pipe part 44b and the second ascending pipe part 44c. Accordingly, the connecting tube 44 can be made longer and more compact by being bent to extend to the upper side and 20 then back to the lower side in the up and down directions. Concurrently, since the breather tube 66 is connected to the lowermost portion of the connecting tube 44, it is possible to return, from the breather tube 66 to the engine body 30 side, oil which is brought along with the blow-by gas circulating inside the breather tube 66. In addition, the cleaner case 48 of the air cleaner 43 is constituted of: the upper 25 case part 49, which is supported by the vehicle body frame F, and to which the upstream end portion of the connecting tube 44 is connected; and the lower case part 50, which is detachably attached to the upper case part 49. The inside of the cleaner case 48 is defined, by the cleaner element 54, into the unpurified chamber 55 and the purified chamber 56 communicating with the connecting tube 44. This cleaner element 54 is 30 housed in the cleaner case 48 in a state where maintenance can be performed on the cleaner element 54 by removing the lower case part 50 from the upper case part 49. Accordingly, it is possible to perform maintenance on the cleaner element 54 by removing the lower case part 50 from the upper case part 49 without releasing the connection of the connecting tube 44 to the air cleaner 43, thus achieving a high 35 maintainability.
- 13 Moreover, the fuel pump 84 is attached to the fuel tank 40 while having the discharge pipe 87, for discharging fuel, arranged above the fuel tank 40. The conduit means 94, which connects between the discharge pipe 87 and the fuel injection valve 46, is arranged to vertically penetrate the fuel tank 40. Accordingly, the conduit means 94 is 5 not exposed to the outside in a part corresponding to the fuel tank 40. For this reason, even in the case of a motorcycle in which the fuel tank 40 constitutes an externally-visible component, it is possible to prevent the conduit means 94 from being exposed to the outside as much as possible, while avoiding an increase in the number of components as well as avoiding deterioration in the product appearance. As a result, it is possible to io prevent unnecessary contact of the conduit means 94, and to thus make the conduit means 94 less likely to be influenced by the external environment. Moreover, the cylindrical member 98 is provided to the fuel tank 40 to vertically penetrate the fuel tank 40. The first fuel hose 95, which constitutes at least a part (a part in this embodiment) of the conduit means 94 to be connected to the discharge pipe 87, is is caused to penetrate the cylindrical member 98 to be installed therethrough. Accordingly, by welding, to the fuel tank 40, the entire circumferences respectively of the upper and lower portions of the cylindrical member 98, it is possible to easily secure the sealed state of the portion where the first fuel hose 95 penetrates the fuel tank 40. In addition, the fuel tank 40 is provided on the rear frame 24 constituting part of 20 the vehicle body frame F. The first fuel hose 95, penetrating the cylindrical member 98, is installed to pass inside the rear frame 24. Accordingly, it is unnecessary to provide a cover dedicated to covering the first fuel hose 95. As a result, a part of the first fuel hose 95 longer than otherwise can be prevented from being exposed to the outside. Moreover, the male joint 104 of the first quick connector 101 is provided to at 25 least one of the two ends of the first fuel hose 95. In this embodiment, the male joint 104 is provided to the end portion, on the second fuel hose 96 side, of the first fuel hose 95. The male joint 104 has a diameter smaller than that of the corresponding female joint. Accordingly, the first fuel hose 95 can be easily installed even when there is a narrow gap or a small through hole in the middle of the installation path for the first fuel hose 95. As 30 a result, the flexibility in installation of the fuel hoses can be enhanced. Furthermore, the male joint 104 provided to the first fuel hose 95 can be caused to penetrate the through holes each provided in the middle of the installation path for the first fuel hose 95. Specifically, the male joint 104 can be caused to penetrate the first through hole 97 formed by the cylindrical member 84, and the second through hole 99 35 formed by the grommet 100 attached to the front portion of the rear frame 24.
- 14 Accordingly, the workability in installing the first fuel hose 95 can be enhanced. In addition, since the male joint 104 has an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameters respectively of the first and second through holes 97 and 99, the first fuel hose 95 can be easily caused to penetrate the cylindrical member 98 and the grommet 100. 5 Accordingly, the workability in installing the first fuel hose 95 can be further enhanced. As a result, the connecting of the conduit means 94 to the fuel pump 84 can be facilitated. The female joint 105 of the first quick connector 101 is provided to the second fuel hose 96 which constitutes the conduit means 94 together with the first fuel hose 95. Accordingly, while using the first fuel hose 95 provided with the male joint 104 for only 1o part of the conduit means 94 in an arbitrary range, it is possible to use, for the other part, the second fuel hose 96, which is a general type, and which is provided with the female joint 105. In addition, the fuel pump 84 is attached to the upper surface of the fuel tank 40. The pump cover 110 is attached to the upper surface of the fuel tank 40 to cover, from is above: the fuel pump 84; the connection portion between the first fuel hose 95 and the discharge pipe 87 of the fuel pump 84; and the insertion portion of the first fuel hose 95 into the upper end of the cylindrical member 98. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent unnecessary contact against the connection portion of the first fuel hose 95 of the conduit means 94 to the fuel pump 84 side. 20 Moreover, the supporting stay 116 extending upward and rearward is fixed to the vehicle body frame F at the rear side of the head pipe 22. The center cover 130 is provided continuously to the leg shield 129 covering, from the front, both of the left and right legs of the rider seated on the rider's seat 41. The center cover 130, while covering part of the vehicle body frame F, also covers the electronic control unit 117, the regulator 25 118, and the bank angle sensor 119, the three of which are electrical equipment. Accordingly, there is no need for providing a dedicated component to covering the electronic control unit 117, the regulator 118, and the bank angle sensor 119. This configuration reduces the number of components, thus contributing to a reduction in costs. 30 Hereinabove, the embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications in design may be made without departing from the present invention described in the scope of claims.