Abstract:
In an internal combustion engine having an idle gear that transmits power received from a crankshaft to valve train systems, an idle shaft that rotatably supports the idle gear, and an outer cover that covers a crankcase from a lateral side, a valve train system drive mechanism includes a crankcase-side boss part is formed on a sidewall of the crankcase, which supports one end of the idle shaft. The drive mechanism also includes a case-cover-side boss part that is formed on the outer cover and supports the other end of the idle shaft. A cover-side joint part and a shaft-side joint part are formed at the case-cover-side boss part and the other end of the idle shaft, respectively, and engagement of the joint parts with each other precludes the idle shaft from rotating.