Hi y'all! My 8 year old daughter is enjoying her LT80 that she got for an early Xmas gift this past fall. She's now getting a little less fearful of going faster and although she knows in principle how to shift her weight on turns, she almost dumped it this past weekend. I've heard of folks modifying the rear wheels to make a wider wheel base. It seems that to start off the LT80 has a high center of gravity (more so than her LT50) and that widening the rear (and maybe front) wheel base will make it more stable.

Any suggestions as to what to do? Wider rims and tires or a new axle? Any suggestions on what brands of parts to buy? Is it better to widen both front and rear or is just rear ok? I'm looking for the safest alternative, not necessarily the cheapest. Thanks [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Probably want to widen both the front and rear at the same time. Offset rims will do the trick, plus the aluminum looks cool too. 3+5or4 in the rear(or even a 2+4 in rear) depending on the tire, 2+4 for the front. (the latter number refers to the inches going to the outside of the bike) There are wheel spacers available, but the good ones will cost almost as much as new rims and tires.

 

There is a guy on ebay who sells stud extenders for the LT 80. You get six for I believe $40.00. They thread onto the lugs and come in different sizes. I bought the 2.5 inchers. Each extender is 2.5 inches long and you are able to turn the wheels around to go even wider. I put mine on the fronts only because my kids ride 99% sand and have paddles which are wider and smaller than the stock tires. I can email you pics of my kids bikes if you want. Makes em look like mini LT250s.

 

this exact same topic has been posted several times. I think mine was the most recent. in the search option on this forum, type in wheel spacer . don't put spacers , or you'll miss my post. i got lots of replies. fishslab had an excellent, inexpensive fix. many run spacers, or flip the wheels inward to change the off-set (watch out for the valves). I made the same incorrect assumption as you; if you're only going to widen one end, you widen front, not back. The centrifical force is on the front tires when you corner fast, and that's most likely where you'll lose control.

you'll see 4 other topics on wheel spacers doing this search.everything you want to know and more.

 

I saw some spacers and stud extenders and wasn't sold on them. A little more pricey but wanted the quad to be safe for my daughter. In addition to some douglas blue labels rims front and rear, I purchased some front a-arm extensions for the LT80. I purchased them from James Lucky ATV for $149. I had them powdercoated black to match the frame.

I installed them in about 40 mins and took it out for a test ride. You don't need to purchase any other parts for them either (which is nice). Everything hooks right back up. Of course, I had to test the product so I took it out and was going pretty fast definitely not top speed, but I turned the bars hard without leaning not even a tire came off the ground. I watch my daughter ride and her cousins that are about 4 years older than her and it just hugs the ground. You will be happy the part. Here's a link to check them out.


http://www.jlatvproducts.com

 

I personally have punished the Wheel spacers from CRJ performance. I weigh 180 pounds and if they can hold me without trouble, even jumping it, then a little tyke wouldn't have a chance to break them/Axle... Also an added benefit is because of the added leverage the front shock actually seem to work now with my son on it. He doesn't have any problems with steering at all and it's almost impossible to tip over now. Put them on both ends. Only thing "I" don't like is more mud is flicked up on me. My son think it's great. These are a must have. http://crjperformance.com/crj-perfor...5ltkfwhsp.html
jarsong

 

I'm going to go with the A-Arm extenders on the front. What do you think would work best with the rear? Do I want to keep the same width as the front? I spose I could just use spacers in the back? I read every post there is on this topic, whew a lot of info to think about and look over.
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lgr,

Did you do anything to the rear after you put the extenders on the front?

Thanks a Bunch guys

 

If cash isn't an issue, then go ahead and get the Dura-blue axel. (only one made).. It's +4".
It will save you worrying about the stock axel breaking (they do).

 

You guys better heed Lt80 warning, been there done that. Not only will the axle break when that little baby slams into the ground your going to be replacing alot more than just the axle.

 

Great, don't want to break an axle. Spose I'll see what A Durablue axle will ding me for. I think I saw them on here the other day while looking around. Yahoooooo.

Thanks for the info guys.