Motorcycle hidden fastener cover system

Abstract

A motorcycle engine cover system includes a backing plate, a cover, and a fastener. The backing plate has at least one aperture for fastening the backing plate to a motorcycle engine and a protrusion including an aperture to accept the fastener. The cover has a mating aperture that is shaped to mate with the protrusion and a fastening aperture extending from a side surface into the mating aperture. The fastener extends through the fastening aperture of the cover and into the at least one aperture of the backing plate for attaching the cover to the backing plate.

1 . A motorcycle engine cover system comprising:
 a backing plate adapted for coupling to a motorcycle engine, the backing plate having a protrusion defining a first aperture to accept a fastener;   a cover defining a cavity that is shaped to mate with the protrusion and a second aperture extending from a side surface into the cavity; and   at least one fastener extending through the second aperture and into the first aperture for securing the cover to the backing plate.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the cover includes a raised pattern. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the pattern is a flame configuration. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the cover has a standard design diameter of from about 1 to about 10 inches. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the standard design diameter is about 8 inches. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the backing plate has at least one fastening aperture adapted to accept a second fastener for coupling the backing plate to a motorcycle engine. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein a bottom surface of the cover includes at least one indentation for accepting a head of the second fastener. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a motorcycle engine defining an opening and wherein the backing plate is adapted to generally enclose the opening. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the opening is an ignition timing component opening. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the protrusion has a generally rectangular cross-section. 
   
   
       11 . A motorcycle engine cover system for enclosing an opening defined by a motorcycle engine, the system comprising:
 a backing plate defining at least one fastening aperture positioned to align with a corresponding aperture in the motorcycle engine, the backing plate having a protrusion defining a first aperture to accept a fastener;   a first fastener extending through the fastening aperture and into the corresponding aperture in the motorcycle engine;   a cover defining a cavity that is shaped to mate with the protrusion and a second aperture extending from a side surface into the cavity; and   a second fastener extending through the second aperture and into the first aperture for securing the cover to the backing plate.   
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the protrusion has a generally rectangular cross-section. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the protrusion has a generally circular cross-section with a flat segment. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the opening is an ignition timing component opening. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the opening is a clutch inspection opening. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the cover includes a base and a pattern. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the base has a diameter of from about 1 to about 10 inches. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the base diameter is about 8 inches. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the base diameter is about 3 inches.