VEHICLE BODY FRAME FOR A SADDLE-RIDE VEHICLE, AND MOTORCYCLE INCLUDING SAME

摘要

A vehicle body frame manufactured by welding is configured for weight reduction, and includes first and second frame members. The first frame member has a predetermined thickness including a first flat surface portion wider than the predetermined thickness. The second frame member includes a second flat surface portion touching the first flat surface portion. The first and second frame members are joined by bringing the flat surface portions together and welding the first and second flat surface portions together with laser beams parallel to the first flat surface portion. In this way, the laser welding can be performed with a reduced gap between the two members. Welding using laser beams applied from directions parallel to the flat surfaces allows the weld area to be significantly larger than conventional fillet welding.

主权项

1. A vehicle body frame for a saddle-ride vehicle, said vehicle body frame configured for rotatably supporting a front wheel and a rear wheel, supporting a motive power source disposed between the front wheel and the rear wheel, and supporting a seat thereon above the motive power source, said vehicle body frame comprising:
a first frame member having a first portion with a predetermined thickness and also having a first flat surface portion which is wider than said first portion; a second frame member which includes a second flat surface portion in contact with the first flat surface portion; wherein the second frame member is joined to the first frame member by bringing the second flat surface portion into contact with the first flat surface portion, and welding the first flat surface portion to the second flat surface portion with a laser beam which is oriented parallel to the first flat surface portion.