+2 arms what about axle

[rdtrp13]

i was wandering about what length axle to put on if i am puting on +2 arms up front i will be riding mx mainly. should i go +2 there to?

[katch26]

+2 arms are per side so youd be 4 inches wider axles are +(whatever) talking about the whole length....so a +2 axle would only be 1 per side.

[rdtrp13]

so yes if i am putting +2 on the front it would equal out to +4 on the front total, what i am wandering is if i should go equal to the front or should i go wider?

[rdtrp13]

also an additional ? how are stock rims holding up on the track? will they last awhile or do i just need to just dish out some money and get some differnt ones?

[slightlybent47]

Originally posted by katch26
+2 arms are per side so youd be 4 inches wider axles are +(whatever) talking about the whole length....so a +2 axle would only be 1 per side.

I think katch26 might have it wrong there on the width. +2 is 2” on each side no mater if it’s front or back. So +2” = 4” total on the front as well as the back. And it would be better to do the front first then the back. Or do them both at the same time. As for the rims if you are going to do mx it would be better to go with 18” in the back and 20” in the front. But for now you can use the stockers till you wear them out or till you can get you some new ones.

My first year I was on a stock ex and I won all my races on it while in stock form, so it can be done but it’s tuff on a stocker.
Hope that helps.

[katch26]

no its right...a-arms are+2 per side where as an axle width is total over stock. He asked about a +2 axle to go with his plus 2 arms and on that alone would leave him 2"narrower rear to front. +2 front would normally go with a +4 axle which would give it 2 per side in the rear

[katch26]

Ive also seen people using +3 on the 400 with 4/1 wheels....so thats another option.

[Pipeless416]

katch26 is correct. also, you won't truly see the benefit of the extended arms without the axle.

[slightlybent47]

Originally posted by katch26
no its right...a-arms are+2 per side where as an axle width is total over stock. He asked about a +2 axle to go with his plus 2 arms and on that alone would leave him 2"narrower rear to front. +2 front would normally go with a +4 axle which would give it 2 per side in the rear

One of us is wrong on the rear width so you may check into it and make sure you order the right size when you do. I still think it’s the same on the front as it is on the back. But I wont argue with you on it. Eather way it's best to have the front the same as the back.

[gt400ex]

Originally posted by Pipeless416
katch26 is correct. also, you won't truly see the benefit of the extended arms without the axle.

[Pipeless416]

Originally posted by slightlybent47
One of us is wrong on the rear width so you may check into it and make sure you order the right size when you do. I still think it’s the same on the front as it is on the back. But I wont argue with you on it. Eather way it's best to have the front the same as the back.

so you're saying a +4 axle would add 8 inches to the total width.. +4 axles bring the rear width to about 49.5 inches, which is the maximum legal width for racing. 400ex's are ~44-45 inches in the rear when stock.

[katch26]

he's looking at it wrong is all. The aarms are a set and half of a front end which is why their added width is per side. The axle is a solid component so its width is TOTAL over stock you have to do the math.

[slightlybent47]

I bought my stuff used and I was told that the front was +2 as with the back. Both the front and rear on mine are +2 and its 4” wider on both front and back so that’s what I’m going by. Now I could be wrong but the guy I got it from is a national racer and I would think he knew what he was talking about. But he could have been mistaken.
Now you have me wondering who is right, not that it makes any deference but I would like to know.

[Pipeless416]

we are lol. most axles are +2/+4 however because they're adjustable in width using spacers.

[slightlybent47]

Ok I guess I’ve had it wrong all this time. The way you put it makes what you say plausible but it still sounds weird. But now I’m confused so I will call lone star tomorrow and see what they say. If I’m wrong I’ll eat my hat!!!! LOL!!!!
I guess you’ll have to check that one out when you order so you get the right one. Like I said I got mine used and I’m going by what they said when I bought them.
Bottom line if you go wider it’s better for MX.

[gtt416ex]

keep in mind that the front and rear on a stock 400 are two different widths. The front is 43" and the rear is 45". So with +2's, it would set at ~47" in the front. To even the rear out, you'd only need an axle that's 2" wider than stock. Axle widths are measured just like a arms. So a +1 would be 2" wider than stock and so on...

[katch26]

so whats a +4 axle theyre using on the 450r?

[rdtrp13]

so back to the question at hand what would be a good axle if u add +2 a arms to the front. do i want the rear the same width as the front or do i want it a little wider?

[slightlybent47]

Mine is 48” in the front and 491/2” in the rear. That’s with JD +2s in the front and a lone star axel.

[gtt416ex]

guys in the 450 forums run the front end about 1/2 wider than the rear.

[rdtrp13]

so is that the norm for most, running the front wider?

[KISSmyACE]

Originally posted by gtt416ex
keep in mind that the front and rear on a stock 400 are two different widths. The front is 43" and the rear is 45". So with +2's, it would set at ~47" in the front. To even the rear out, you'd only need an axle that's 2" wider than stock. Axle widths are measured just like a arms. So a +1 would be 2" wider than stock and so on...

Your math is a little off. To even the rear out you would want a +4 axle to make the axle 4 inches longer. The axle is one solid component. The reason why a set of +2 a-arms makes the front end 4 inches wider is because it is two sides of 2 inch longer arms. 2 + 2 is 4. Most people do run their front a little wider, a +4 axle and +3 a-arms puts you right at the limit for the 50" rule in racing. My quad measures about 48.5" wide in the front with my +2s from the outside of my tires.

To answer your question, you want the front and back about even, if one side was to be wider, it'd be the front and not the rear. With a more narrow rear, and wider front, you will slide around a little more.

[katch26]

THANK YOU!....lol. JDPerformance recommends +3 with 4:1 wheels.


Originally posted by katch26
+2 arms are per side so youd be 4 inches wider axles are +(whatever) talking about the whole length....so a +2 axle would only be 1 per side.

Originally posted by katch26
no its right...a-arms are+2 per side where as an axle width is total over stock. He asked about a +2 axle to go with his plus 2 arms and on that alone would leave him 2"narrower rear to front. +2 front would normally go with a +4 axle which would give it 2 per side in the rear