Methods and apparatus for structural reinforcement of vehicle suspension members

A method of assembling a vehicle suspension fork comprising:

• conditioning a first portion of said vehicle suspension fork to a non-ambient temperature;
• surface treating an outer surface of at least one second portion of said vehicle suspension fork such that said at least one second portion of said vehicle suspension fork includes a surface treated outer surface;
• positioning and engaging said first portion relative with said at least one second portion of said vehicle suspension fork while said first portion remains substantially at said non-ambient temperature, said positioning and said engaging said first portion relative with said at least one second portion of said vehicle suspension fork comprises a press-fit coupling resulting in an interference fit that is sufficient to retain said first portion relative with said at least one second portion of said vehicle suspension fork in a substantially rigid manner both rotationally and axially during use of said vehicle suspension fork, wherein, after said positioning and engaging, said surface treated outer surface is disposed at a location where said first portion engages said at least one second portion, and wherein after said positioning and engaging said first portion relative with said at least one second portion of said vehicle suspension fork, an assembled portion is formed, said assembled portion comprising:
• a crown having a first fork tube opening and a second fork tube opening;
• a first fork tube engaged in said first fork tube opening;
• and
• a second fork tube engaged in said second fork tube opening;
• holding and moving said at least one second portion with respect to said first portion via one or more retainers as a part of said positioning and engaging;
• and
• conditioning said assembled portion to a substantially ambient temperature, wherein said conditioning said assembled portion to said substantially ambient temperature creates a compressive hoop stress in said first fork tube and a tensile hoop stress in said first fork tube opening but creates no substantial axial stress in either of said first fork tube or said first fork tube opening, and creates a compressive hoop stress in said second fork tube and a tensile hoop stress in said second fork tube opening but creates no substantial axial stress in either of said second fork tube or said second fork tube opening.