Front wheel offset

waynec · 11-22-2009, 04:55 PM

I swear the wheels on my beast don't line up front to back. On the right side the front wheel is about an inch further outboard than the rear. No problem. On the left.... the front wheel is about 3 inches further outboard than the rear. This can't be good. I am on the verge of cutting a spacer to shim the rear wheel so the bike is in balance....but before I do that I just want to know if anyone else has a similar situation.

I butted a straight edge tight up against the rear tires and on the left side the line runs right through the middle of the front tread. On the right it just clips the tire by about 3/4 inch.

Waynev suspected a similar problem, but dismissed it as optical illusion. I find it odd that there never seems to be any full front pics of the beast on the Gio site and wonder if this is an inherent problem they prefer not to display. Any advice welcomed.

right side

left side

MICRider · 11-22-2009, 05:23 PM

Yup, I noticed that mine looks a little off kilter as well. But, the chain seems to run straight so I am guessing everything is in line. I suspect it might be just the way they are made?

P.S. Though the handling is kind of unique... I can see how they got the quads name. My sons steers much better (Mini Beast). I still have to set the caster and camber though if I ever get time.

PCD · 11-22-2009, 06:01 PM

After seeing this I had to go check of course. I have approx. 1" difference from drivers side to pass. side.

Drivers side front is wider by 2" than rear, and pass. side front is wider than rear by 1".

My front/rear sprocket alingnment is perfect.

So..it may be frame, or it may be cumulative error from front to rear, but I dont like it.

What to do about it is another matter. Have to think about this.

MICRider · 11-22-2009, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PCD

After seeing this I had to go check of course. I have approx. 1" difference from drivers side to pass. side.

Drivers side front is wider by 2" than rear, and pass. side front is wider than rear by 1".

My front/rear sprocket alingnment is perfect.

So..it may be frame, or it may be cumulative error from front to rear, but I dont like it.

What to do about it is another matter. Have to think about this.

When I originally received mine I thought it had a bent frame because of the offset and the shipping crate was really really trashed. The angle iron was even bent up. But then I noticed that the other Beast's looked the same so I didn't worry about it. It looks like it would be a major deal to try to correct so I won't bother

. Seems they are all like this from what I have seen.

Edit: Is it possible that the rear axle being out of whack could cause this? Couldn't really though, because the chain would be skewed I think.

Weldangrind · 11-22-2009, 08:25 PM

I just checked mine, and it's nearly bang on. Could this be the problem for you guys? http://www.chinariders.net/modules.p...ewtopic&t=7702

TurboT · 11-22-2009, 08:40 PM

We were just playing with the front end on mine, and eyeballing the back wheels and it didn't seem out to me. The original assembler did put a spacer/washer in the back end which W&G noticed as we were loading on the truck.

MICRider · 11-22-2009, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

I just checked mine, and it's nearly bang on. Could this be the problem for you guys? http://www.chinariders.net/modules.p...ewtopic&t=7702

Hmm, so the shims would move the whole axle and swingarm over? Good to know and thank you for the link.

Regards,
Stew

Do you think it will go in a straight line now? (JK)

TurboT · 11-22-2009, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MICRider

Regards,
Stew

Do you think it will go in a straight line now? (JK)

No, they have way too much damn power for that.

MICRider · 11-22-2009, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurboT

Quote:

Originally Posted by MICRider

Regards,
Stew

Do you think it will go in a straight line now? (JK)

No, they have way too much damn power for that.

Lol! You slay me!

TurboT · 11-23-2009, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MICRider

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurboT

Quote:

Originally Posted by MICRider

Regards,
Stew

Do you think it will go in a straight line now? (JK)

No, they have way too much damn power for that.

Lol! You slay me!

All kidding aside I took mine for a couple minor street burns today after the W&G installed improvements and it feels like a rocketship compared to before. Wants to pop the wheels in second, which I wouldn't allow due to me being without brain bucket.. can't wait to get 'er going somewhere less illegal.

PCD · 11-23-2009, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

I just checked mine, and it's nearly bang on. Could this be the problem for you guys? http://www.chinariders.net/modules.p...ewtopic&t=7702

No matter which way you slice it, if the front and rear sprockets are lined up nicely, then its going to be tough to correct a major difference.

The engine. Engine is the key here, it just hit me as I was typing. If we could unbolt the engine and slide it toward the side with the most offset (to reduce it) then we can move/shim the rear axle to "follow the engine" so to speak.
Maybe there is room for adjustment on the engine mounting holes but if not then I'm sure they could be opened up, or elongated.

Weldangrind · 11-23-2009, 12:19 PM

I agree Pete, although I think there's another angle.

When I received my Beast, there was considerable shipping damage, likely caused by a forklift (John at Gio was excellent through all of this). I ended up replacing the swingarm and bushings (because there was only one bushing in there :roll: ), and that's when I noticed the dissimilar widths of the swingarm and axle.

Since my new swingarm had never been bolted in and connected to the axle, it had never been forced to accomodate the axle and the chain. I cut some spacers before ever installing the new swingarm, so it remained straight.

My guess is that you guys with front wheel offset will also find that the hub to hub distance is dissimilar from side to side. I think that both issues are caused by forcing the swingarm to meet the axle, and then installing a chain. As you pointed out Pete, the front to rear sprocket relationship is most important, and I think that the swingarm can be adjusted around it.

waynec · 11-23-2009, 10:04 PM

Turbo, you wrote......
The original assembler did put a spacer/washer in the back end which W&G noticed as we were loading on the truck.

Could you post a little more info on this spacer. My plan was to shim the left rear wheel 1 3/4 using some laminated hardwood and epoxy. Doing that along with W&G's axle shim idea(thx) should bring me about perfect.....thx....waynec

Weldangrind · 11-23-2009, 10:21 PM

T, I hope you don't mind me jumping in here...

waynec, the spacer/washer T speaks of is just a standard fender washer in between the swingarm and the axle. It looks as if the PO tried to correct the swingarm to axle difference, but we'll do it properly at our next quad service day.

What is the benefit to hardwood over steel tube?

waynec · 11-24-2009, 07:03 AM

Oh no.....I will use a similar spacer to yours is that spot. I'm refering to a disc 1 1/2 thick to fit on the wheel hub. I will drill for the wheel studs and shape it to accept the wheel snugly. It would be aluminum for most people I suspect, but I have the material and tools to handle the hardwood and am a little less intimidated by it to be honest....waynec

11-22-2009, 04:55 PM	#1
waynec Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ottawa Posts: 119	Front wheel offset I swear the wheels on my beast don't line up front to back. On the right side the front wheel is about an inch further outboard than the rear. No problem. On the left.... the front wheel is about 3 inches further outboard than the rear. This can't be good. I am on the verge of cutting a spacer to shim the rear wheel so the bike is in balance....but before I do that I just want to know if anyone else has a similar situation. I butted a straight edge tight up against the rear tires and on the left side the line runs right through the middle of the front tread. On the right it just clips the tire by about 3/4 inch. Waynev suspected a similar problem, but dismissed it as optical illusion. I find it odd that there never seems to be any full front pics of the beast on the Gio site and wonder if this is an inherent problem they prefer not to display. Any advice welcomed. right side left side
	0

11-22-2009, 06:01 PM	#3
PCD Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Newmarket On Canada Posts: 382	After seeing this I had to go check of course. I have approx. 1" difference from drivers side to pass. side. Drivers side front is wider by 2" than rear, and pass. side front is wider than rear by 1". My front/rear sprocket alingnment is perfect. So..it may be frame, or it may be cumulative error from front to rear, but I dont like it. What to do about it is another matter. Have to think about this. __________________ Good, Fast, or Cheap....Pick Two.
	0

11-22-2009, 08:25 PM	#5
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	I just checked mine, and it's nearly bang on. Could this be the problem for you guys? http://www.chinariders.net/modules.p...ewtopic&t=7702 __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

11-23-2009, 12:19 PM	#12
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	I agree Pete, although I think there's another angle. When I received my Beast, there was considerable shipping damage, likely caused by a forklift (John at Gio was excellent through all of this). I ended up replacing the swingarm and bushings (because there was only one bushing in there :roll: ), and that's when I noticed the dissimilar widths of the swingarm and axle. Since my new swingarm had never been bolted in and connected to the axle, it had never been forced to accomodate the axle and the chain. I cut some spacers before ever installing the new swingarm, so it remained straight. My guess is that you guys with front wheel offset will also find that the hub to hub distance is dissimilar from side to side. I think that both issues are caused by forcing the swingarm to meet the axle, and then installing a chain. As you pointed out Pete, the front to rear sprocket relationship is most important, and I think that the swingarm can be adjusted around it. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

11-23-2009, 10:21 PM	#14
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	T, I hope you don't mind me jumping in here... waynec, the spacer/washer T speaks of is just a standard fender washer in between the swingarm and the axle. It looks as if the PO tried to correct the swingarm to axle difference, but we'll do it properly at our next quad service day. What is the benefit to hardwood over steel tube? __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

11-22-2009, 05:23 PM	#2
MICRider Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 3,274	Yup, I noticed that mine looks a little off kilter as well. But, the chain seems to run straight so I am guessing everything is in line. I suspect it might be just the way they are made? P.S. Though the handling is kind of unique... I can see how they got the quads name. My sons steers much better (Mini Beast). I still have to set the caster and camber though if I ever get time.
	0

11-22-2009, 08:40 PM	#6
TurboT Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Surrey, B.C., Canada Posts: 2,185	We were just playing with the front end on mine, and eyeballing the back wheels and it didn't seem out to me. The original assembler did put a spacer/washer in the back end which W&G noticed as we were loading on the truck.
	0

11-23-2009, 10:04 PM	#13
waynec Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ottawa Posts: 119	Turbo, you wrote...... The original assembler did put a spacer/washer in the back end which W&G noticed as we were loading on the truck. Could you post a little more info on this spacer. My plan was to shim the left rear wheel 1 3/4 using some laminated hardwood and epoxy. Doing that along with W&G's axle shim idea(thx) should bring me about perfect.....thx....waynec
	0

11-24-2009, 07:03 AM	#15
waynec Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ottawa Posts: 119	Oh no.....I will use a similar spacer to yours is that spot. I'm refering to a disc 1 1/2 thick to fit on the wheel hub. I will drill for the wheel studs and shape it to accept the wheel snugly. It would be aluminum for most people I suspect, but I have the material and tools to handle the hardwood and am a little less intimidated by it to be honest....waynec
	0