Abstract: A brake master cylinder comprising a housing having an inner surface defining a bore, and a piston movable in the bore along a piston axis. The piston includes two spaced apart lands defining the radially outermost surfaces capable of contacting the inner surface. At least one of the lands is longitudinally curved at the radially outermost surface. For example, the land can be curved at a radius of less than 1 inch (e.g., between 0.15 inch and 0/75 inch) and preferably less than 0.5 inch. In one embodiment, the longitudinally curved land includes two edges that define an axial length of the land. The two edges have a radius of less than 0.2 inch, and preferably about 0.1 inch. The relative position of the edges and lands is such that neither of the two edges is capable of contacting the inner surface of the bore during reciprocating movement of the piston in the bore.

Abstract: A brake master cylinder comprising a housing having an inner surface defining a bore, and a piston movable in the bore along a piston axis. The piston includes two spaced apart lands defining the radially outermost surfaces capable of contacting the inner surface. At least one of the lands is longitudinally curved at the radially outermost surface. For example, the land can be curved at a radius of less than 1 inch (e.g., between 0.15 inch and 0/75 inch) and preferably less than 0.5 inch. In one embodiment, the longitudinally curved land includes two edges that define an axial length of the land. The two edges have a radius of less than 0.2 inch, and preferably about 0.1 inch. The relative position of the edges and lands is such that neither of the two edges is capable of contacting the inner surface of the bore during reciprocating movement of the piston in the bore.

Abstract: A hand control assembly comprising a base, an actuating mechanism movable relative to the base, a hub pivotally coupled to the base and positioned to move the actuating mechanism, a lever arm pivotally movable relative to the hub for movement about a pivot axis, and an adjusting mechanism positioned between the lever arm and the hub and adapted to adjust a space between the lever arm and a handlebar. The adjusting mechanism includes a dial mounted for rotation about an adjusting axis angled relative to the pivot axis. The dial and the lever arm cooperatively define a dimension corresponding with the dial protruding from the lever arm, and it is preferred that this dimension does not change when the dial is rotated from a short-reach position to a long-reach position. The dial can be mounted for rotation about an adjusting axis that is offset from an engaging member.