Abstract:
An automatic clutch mechanism that allows the feel of gear shifting to be readily transmitted to a rider through a pedal. The automatic clutch mechanism shifts gears while disengaging a clutch in conjunction with one pedal operation. A transmission effects a gear shift in conjunction with a pedal operation. The clutch includes an elastic member, and an engaging portion for bringing the transmission and an engine into engagement with each other by the elastic reaction force of the elastic member. The elastic member has a gradient-decreasing range in which the gradient of a change in elastic load with respect to deformation of the elastic member decreases as the deformation increases. The gradient-decreasing range is included in the use range of the elastic member determined by operation of the clutch.