P500 1" Wheel Spacer Stability

[FuzzyGrub]

I have a P500 with 26" Bighorn 2's on stock rims. I traverse some hills that I would prefer a little more side to side stability, ie if it rolls, it will be a while before it stops. But, the only time I have teetered it was when the rear tire went into a hole on a trail while K turning. I don't have 50" trail restrictions or trailer via Pick-up. It does sound like I would want to add some fender flares to handle the occasional mud/water spray. Am I missing anything? Anyone do this exact conversion and provide comments? Any value to just adding to the rears? All thoughts appreciated.

Here are the one inch spacers that I was looking at:
Wheel Spacer for Big Red/Pioneer 4/110 (1 Inch) 1 Pair

 

[trigger]

I have a P500 with 26" Bighorn 2's on stock rims. I traverse some hills that I would prefer a little more side to side stability, ie if it rolls, it will be a while before it stops. But, the only time I have teetered it was when the rear tire went into a hole on a trail while K turning. I don't have 50" trail restrictions or trailer via Pick-up. It does sound like I would want to add some fender flares to handle the occasional mud/water spray. Am I missing anything? Anyone do this exact conversion and provide comments? Any value to just adding to the rears? All thoughts appreciated.

Here are the one inch spacers that I was looking at:
Wheel Spacer for Big Red/Pioneer 4/110 (1 Inch) 1 Pair

I have that exact set up. 26" BH 2.0's on factory wheels. 9's in front and 11's on rear. Added those same spacers from Super ATV, 1" on all four corners. I think it has way more stability and didn't want to go any wider for strain on the wheel bearings. I don't get into the offset fronts and rears, I think the rear tires should follow the same tracks as the front. I use mine for plowing as well and just makes sense to me. I haven't put flares on mine and don't really notice that much more mud being slung up the sides. This conversation of taller tires and center of gravity has been had over and over on this forum and I've said from the start that with this machine, if you go up you must go out. Check out my before and after pics on the thread "Worried about Flopping". Good luck Fuzzy and be safe.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

I have that exact set up. 26" BH 2.0's on factory wheels. 9's in front and 11's on rear. Added those same spacers from Super ATV, 1" on all four corners. I think it has way more stability and didn't want to go any wider for strain on the wheel bearings. I don't get into the offset fronts and rears, I think the rear tires should follow the same tracks as the front. I use mine for plowing as well and just makes sense to me. I haven't put flares on mine and don't really notice that much more mud being slung up the sides. This conversation of taller tires and center of gravity has been had over and over on this forum and I've said from the start that with this machine, if you go up you must go out. Check out my before and after pics on the thread "Worried about Flopping". Good luck Fuzzy and be safe.

Yep, same tires. I have been very happy with the ride and ability to go through ditches, etc. The wife and I ride a combo of dirt roads (<30mph) and farmland permissions (<10mph) (1500+ acres w/about 600' of elevation change) around once a week on average.

Like you, don't want to go more than the 1".

I think I will call SuperATV and see if they are in stock tomorrow.

 

[pFive]

They were back ordered on the 1.5", so I went with some 2" from elsewhere (Ebay). I really do not understand why people talk about wheel bearing stresses or failures, I have not read of any issues with these buggies like we do many other brands.

I have 8" wide tires and am 54" wide now, the spindles are castings and I expect the bearings to be fine until they get mud and water in em.

 

[trigger]

They were back ordered on the 1.5", so I went with some 2" from elsewhere (Ebay). I really do not understand why people talk about wheel bearing stresses or failures, I have not read of any issues with these buggies like we do many other brands.

I have 8" wide tires and am 54" wide now, the spindles are castings and I expect the bearings to be fine until they get mud and water in em.

I haven't heard of any issues either but after putting on the 1" spacers it was enough for me. I was just trying to get back to factory spec or a little better maybe. Want to keep her skinny for those tight spots.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

They said they had 27 pairs in stock. Ordered two pairs online and shipping label has been created. SA said it shipped at 4PM so should see it hit the tracking tomorrow. I should be able to install them next week after the holiday.

 

[trigger]

They said they had 27 pairs in stock. Ordered two pairs online and shipping label has been created. SA said it shipped at 4PM so should see it hit the tracking tomorrow. I should be able to install them next week after the holiday.

Did you go with the 1" or...? I read where other guys were complaining about the lugs coming loose behind the wheel.
I put a couple of drops of red thread locker on mine and haven't had that problem.
Let us know what you think about them after install.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

Did you go with the 1" or...? I read where other guys were complaining about the lugs coming loose behind the wheel.
I put a couple of drops of red thread locker on mine and haven't had that problem.
Let us know what you think about them after install.

The 1", which should be equivalent to running offset wheels. The 1.5" is still out of stock. I will use at least the blue Loctite.

 

[ghost]

Not sure about the 500, but the P1k has spherical lug nuts and the spacers I got are conical.
If nuts don't match, the spacer they will loosen.

 

[trigger]

Not sure about the 500, but the P1k has spherical lug nuts and the spacers I got are conical.
If nuts don't match, the spacer they will loosen.

The spacers come with the lug nuts.

 

[Montecresto]

They were back ordered on the 1.5", so I went with some 2" from elsewhere (Ebay). I really do not understand why people talk about wheel bearing stresses or failures, I have not read of any issues with these buggies like we do many other brands.

I have 8" wide tires and am 54" wide now, the spindles are castings and I expect the bearings to be fine until they get mud and water in em.

An engineer would be able to explain the dynamics of the stress spacers add to the ride. Honda doesn't recommend them, but they don't recommend larger than 26" tires either, or any of @jak9922 modifications either, lol.

 

[jak9922]

the farther away the tire is away from the bearing the more pressure on it (leverage) puts more stress on upper and lower ball joints

 

[Sledge]

the farther away the tire is away from the bearing the more pressure on it (leverage) puts more stress on upper and lower ball joints

Does a 1" spacer put different forces on a bearing or ball joints than a 1" offset wheel?

I can't see why it would, and Honda dealers DO sell offset wheels as upgrades, don't they?

Confused Joe

 

[jak9922]

spacers

 

[Montecresto]

Does a 1" spacer put different forces on a bearing or ball joints than a 1" offset wheel?

I can't see why it would, and Honda dealers DO sell offset wheels as upgrades, don't they?

Confused Joe

No, because the bolt up point is still the same as the OEM wheel. Honda doesn't sell spacers.

 

[ghost]

It wouldn't matter if it was bolted, welded or cast into in a single piece. Leverage is function of the distance between the pivot point and where the force is applied.

I've heard of some dealer selling some aggressive add-ons or even selling some upgraded units that Honda Corp probably wouldn't approve of.

 

[jak9922]

It wouldn't matter if it was bolted, welded or cast into in a single piece. Leverage is function of the distance between the pivot point and where the force is applied.

I've heard of some dealer selling some aggressive add-ons or even selling some upgraded units that Honda Corp probably wouldn't approve of.

1000% correct

 

[Sledge]

"It wouldn't matter if it was bolted, welded or cast into in a single piece. Leverage is function of the distance between the pivot point and where the force is applied."

My point exactly. I must not have expressed it well.

You sure did, though.

Thanks ghost.

Joe

 

[Montecresto]

It wouldn't matter if it was bolted, welded or cast into in a single piece. Leverage is function of the distance between the pivot point and where the force is applied.

I've heard of some dealer selling some aggressive add-ons or even selling some upgraded units that Honda Corp probably wouldn't approve of.

There you have it........that Honda wouldn't approve of!

 

[jak9922]

which means you should go for it