INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

A kick-type starter for an internal combustion engine is disclosed which enable free layout of the position of the kick-type starter. The internal combustion engine (10) has a crankshaft (15) rotatably supported in a crankcase (13L, 13R), a power transmission mechanism (12) for transmitting power from the crankshaft (15) to an output shaft (26), a crankcase cover (14L, 14R) for covering a part of the power transmission mechanism (12) and accessories fixed to the crankshaft (15), and a kick-type starter (70). The kick-type starter (70) is provided on the outside of the crankcase cover (14L, 14R). The kick-type starter is provided at such a position that the kick-type starter overlaps partly with a rear cover (39) of the internal combustion engine that covers a front portion of a chain (27) for connecting the output shaft (26) of the engine and a rear wheel (6) of a vehicle, as well as a drive sprocket (26b) on the output shaft. A torque converter (40) is provided on one end of the crankshaft (15), and the kick-type starter is provided at the crankcase cover (14L) on the side opposite the one end of the crankshaft at which the torque converter is provided.