A pedal powered vehicle characterized by three or four-wheels, and comprising a human powered apparatus for controlling wheel and body lean is disclosed. The tilt control apparatus produces a parallel tilting of the main frame and hub-centered wheels; which, when combined with vehicle speed, indirectly governs a free to caster steering arrangement. Since the rider controls vehicle tilt at all times; and, because free to caster steering operates from full stop to full speed, there is no need to employ the technique of steer/counter steer, or the need for an on/off lean-lock device at slower/higher speeds. Operationally, the tilt control apparatus functions like a variable lean-lock device which ensures stability throughout the range of tilt and enables the operator to maximize the roll over resistance, making the vehicle's high profile (height of a compact sedan) and narrow track (functional fit with cycle lanes) suitable for urban commuting.

A damper includes a pressure-sensitive damping control circuit that selectively permits fluid flow from a first chamber to a second chamber. A piston varies a volume of the first chamber. A blow-off piston is movable between a closed position, wherein fluid flow through the control circuit is substantially prevented, and an open position, wherein fluid flow through the control circuit is permitted. The damper also includes a first source of pressure. A fluid pressure created by compression of the damper applies an opening force to the blow-off piston moving the blow-off piston in a direction toward the open position against a resistance force provided by the first source of pressure. The resistance force exceeds the opening force until the pressure created by forces tending to insert the piston rod into the first fluid chamber exceeds the pressure in the first source of pressure by a predetermined amount.

A suspension system for a one-wheeled transportation device is disclosed. The one-wheeled transportation device includes (1) a wheel, and (2) a tiltable platform has a top side, a bottom side, a first end, a second end, a central longitudinal axis, and an aperture which is shaped and dimensioned to receive the wheel. The suspension system includes a wheel holder which rotationally carries the wheel, the wheel holder having a proximal end and an opposite distal end, the proximal end is pivotably connected to the second end of the tiltable platform so that the distal end resides above the top side at the first end. A bracket has a proximal end and an opposite distal end, the proximal end is connected to the tiltable platform so that the distal end of the bracket upwardly extends above the wheel. A shock absorber is connected between the distal end of the wheel holder and the distal end of the bracket.

A suspension system for a one-wheeled transportation device is disclosed. The one-wheeled transportation device includes (1) a wheel, and (2) a tiltable platform has a top side, a bottom side, a first end, a second end, a central longitudinal axis, and an aperture which is shaped and dimensioned to receive the wheel. The suspension system includes a wheel holder which rotationally carries the wheel, the wheel holder having a proximal end and an opposite distal end, the proximal end is pivotably connected to the second end of the tiltable platform so that the distal end resides above the top side at the first end. A bracket has a proximal end and an opposite distal end, the proximal end is connected to the tiltable platform so that the distal end of the bracket upwardly extends above the wheel. A shock absorber is connected between the distal end of the wheel holder and the distal end of the bracket.

A damper includes a pressure-sensitive damping control circuit that selectively permits fluid flow from a first chamber to a second chamber. A piston varies a volume of the first chamber. A blow-off piston is movable between a closed position, wherein fluid flow through the control circuit is substantially prevented, and an open position, wherein fluid flow through the control circuit is permitted. The damper also includes a first source of pressure. A fluid pressure created by compression of the damper applies an opening force to the blow-off piston moving the blow-off piston in a direction toward the open position against a resistance force provided by the first source of pressure. The resistance force exceeds the opening force until the pressure created by forces tending to insert the piston rod into the first fluid chamber exceeds the pressure in the first source of pressure by a predetermined amount.

A suspension for a two-wheeled vehicle includes first and second fork legs. Each fork leg includes a dropout. Each dropout has an opening therethrough. At least a portion of one of the openings is threaded. Each of the dropouts includes a split-damp pinch bearing defining the opening and operable between an open position and a locked position, and a hand operable actuator pivoted to the bearing for operation thereof. The suspension further includes a one-piece axle. The axle is disposed through the openings. The axle has a threaded first end engaged with the threaded portion. The axle has an ergonomic grip formed at a second end. The bearing tightly engages an outer surface of the axle in the locked position, thereby rotationally coupling the axle to the dropout.

A suspension for a two-wheeled vehicle includes first and second fork legs. Each fork leg includes a dropout. Each dropout has an opening therethrough. At least a portion of one of the openings is threaded. Each of the dropouts includes a split-damp pinch bearing defining the opening and operable between an open position and a locked position, and a hand operable actuator pivoted to the bearing for operation thereof. The suspension further includes a one-piece axle. The axle is disposed through the openings. The axle has a threaded first end engaged with the threaded portion. The axle has an ergonomic grip formed at a second end. The bearing tightly engages an outer surface of the axle in the locked position, thereby rotationally coupling the axle to the dropout.

A suspension for a two-wheeled vehicle includes first and second fork legs. Each fork leg includes a dropout. Each dropout has an opening therethrough. At least a portion of one of the openings is threaded. Each of the dropouts includes a split-damp pinch bearing defining the opening and operable between an open position and a locked position, and a hand operable actuator pivoted to the bearing for operation thereof. The suspension further includes a one-piece axle. The axle is disposed through the openings. The axle has a threaded first end engaged with the threaded portion. The axle has an ergonomic grip formed at a second end. The bearing tightly engages an outer surface of the axle in the locked position, thereby rotationally coupling the axle to the dropout.

A suspension for a two-wheeled vehicle includes first and second fork legs. Each fork leg includes a dropout. Each dropout has an opening therethrough. At least a portion of one of the openings is threaded. Each of the dropouts includes a split-damp pinch bearing defining the opening and operable between an open position and a locked position, and a hand operable actuator pivoted to the bearing for operation thereof. The suspension further includes a one-piece axle. The axle is disposed through the openings. The axle has a threaded first end engaged with the threaded portion. The axle has an ergonomic grip formed at a second end. The bearing tightly engages an outer surface of the axle in the locked position, thereby rotationally coupling the axle to the dropout.

A suspension for a two-wheeled vehicle includes first and second fork legs. Each fork leg includes a dropout. Each dropout has an opening therethrough. At least a portion of one of the openings is threaded. Each of the dropouts includes a split-damp pinch bearing defining the opening and operable between an open position and a locked position, and a hand operable actuator pivoted to the bearing for operation thereof. The suspension further includes a one-piece axle. The axle is disposed through the openings. The axle has a threaded first end engaged with the threaded portion. The axle has an ergonomic grip formed at a second end. The bearing tightly engages an outer surface of the axle in the locked position, thereby rotationally coupling the axle to the dropout.