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Posted by: JayBR
I Think it depends on the a-arms, The stock shocks are 16", Moto shocks are 19". I just put American Star a-arms on my Speed and used the stock shocks, they fit fine but are softer now and I think I'm just going to get new springs for now. They where built to fit stock shocks.
I talked to Lonestar and their a-arms take a 17" shock, they said the stock ones would bottom out. Most of the longtravel setups take a 19".
I think generally speaking if you get long travel a-arms you'll have to buy new shocks.
Posted by: JayBR
I just went through all this a few weeks ago. Not trying to start a war by any means Jeff, but I think Houser makes two types of extended a-arms, one is long travel and takes the 19" shock. How can it be considered long travel if the shock is the same? Doesn't the shock length have alot to do with the travel?
BTW: I looked hard at the Houser arms, great quality but no one had them in stock that would take the stock shocks and I was told that the Housers required a different steering stem, another $200.
I went with the american stars because I could just bolt them on without replacing anything else. I probably should get my shocks revalved / sprung but I don't do any big air so I may not need to. Nrath bottomed them out Saturday when he took it for a test ride though, but I have the preload as soft as it gets.
The other issue with the Housers and any of the +3 arms is that you will have to replace your front wheels with a different offset to get it within the 50" limit. Mine is right at 50" with the +2s. Stock is 46" so +2 each side puts you at 50"
Not trying to say that the American Stars are the best a-arms, just seemed to be the least expensive way to widen the dale. I guess this is one of those situations where you get what you pay for. Long Travel would be really nice, but when I priced out all the extras like shocks and steering stem it was up to almost $2000. Then I would have had to get wheels if I wanted to take it on the track.
Posted by: JayBR
<< Jay - Do you know why you would need a different steering stem for the Housers? If I do have to buy the steering stem, than I'll go w/ the Lonestar a-arms... they are about $725 or something like that and they come w/ tie rods and extended brake lines (steel braided ofcourse). How much are the American Star Racing a-arms? I'm going w/ the +3 a-arms because I already have stock Honda wheels. I'll just flip them back around to make them narrower again and it should be pretty close to 50".
Special - are you using RPM's anti-fade locknut? >>
When I was looking, Kyle at R&S said the tie rods would hit the frame without a different stem. Apparently the aftermarket stems have a lower mounting point for the tie rods. When I talked to Lonestar they said their arms required a 17" or 17 1/2" shock, I don't recall exactly. You should give them a call, I was ready to buy the lonestars until they told me I'd have to get new shocks.
I stand corrected about the long travel, Houser does make a long travel a-arm that uses standard shock length, but they only list the 19" shock length for the Dale on their site, not sure if they offer them in standard length.
Houser Racing
Given the choice between Houser with new steering stem or Lonestar with new shocks, I'd go with the houser and save a bunch of money. The stem is less than $200 and is supposed to reduce bump steer and improve handling.
I got the mild steel arms for $499 from R&S, chromoly is $675 but he didn't have them in stock a few weeks ago. The difference is like 2 or 4 pounds, supposedly same strength.
Posted by: JayBR
<< Jay - you had any problems w/ the a-arms? David tells me that they are crappy, but I wanna know your opinion since you have them. >>
Yeah I saw one of his post saying that, but I couldn't find any other complaints anywhere else about them and I did alot of searching on the web.
No problems, they bolted up fine other than the ones I got where spaced for the earlier Cannondales with the narrower frame tabs. I put washers in the gaps and its working fine. I could probably call them and get the bushings to fit mine, but its no big deal. I don't have much time on them yet, but the quality looks good to me. I don't really have anything to compare them to because this is the first set of aftermarket a-arms I ever bought. there is a review at 400ex project
They are fully adjustable with hiem joints so you can set caster and camber, and they came with new tie rods. I did have to buy longer brake cables.
Nrath helped me install them and has ridden on them, maybe he can give you his opinion.
Posted by: special
I have the rpm axel and I have to tighten the lock nut after each race.
Motown has the loanstar axel you can ask him how his works with the stock nut.
Posted by: special
Yes I am using the anti fade lock nut.I am always fighting slack in the brake hub.
Posted by: lt250r91
Hey Jeff, I jsut put a +1 Houser steering stem in my speed and used the old cannondale tie-rod ends. First off is that a problem? Can I put the the Honda ones on or will the outers not work?
By the way those guys at Houser are super nice. I was at their new shop Friday. Their new number is (740)528-4111 if anyone needs it.
I talked to Jeff at Houser about the new Gas Gas Quad. He is really interested in the machine. I gave him the flyer that the dealer gave me. He said to call him when I get it he wants to check it out and gets some dimensions to make long travel a-arms for it
Posted by: lt250r91
Yeh I know mine have play in them and I was just wandering if there is something better that I can replace them with at the end of the racing season. Thanks for the info. I'll see your at the Race this weekend. Look me up Friday night. Green dodge with all white 7 x 14 enclosed trailer.
Posted by: lt250r91
OK, I'll see you there. Hopefully we get a little rain this week to get rid of the dust. That is one thing I hate is racing in a dusty race. It's bad enough that my doctor said no racing and I'm going to try with a broken collar bone any way. I feels alot better and I think it starting to reconnect. One way to find out. Race.
Posted by: cannondale27
RPM axles are 400ex axles that is why you need thelocknut.
Lonestar is able to run stock nut since you use the stock clip mine constantly has slop in brake hub will be getting lonestar locknut soon.
You get longer travel with stock shocks because the extende arm travels in a larger arc which put more leverage on shock which is why you have to revalve them.
Cannondale has had three steering stems on quads
1)Stem is angled at bar mount tierod holes farther out.Steering is fast bumps transmited more than second stem.
2)stem angled holes moved back steering is slower but easier less bumpsteer felt.
3)stem straight dont know exactly where holes are but they look same as 2nd stem.Same as two but you can get handlebars closer to you.
I have the first with moto front end and denton damper works fine.
Posted by: MxDale71
Generally the rule is, if you buy extended a-arms, buy new front shocks so they'll fit. I know the front Ohlins can be rebuilt to my weight, riding style, dual rate, and w/ piggy back rezzies. Can they be built to fit extended a-arms too or not?
Posted by: MxDale71
SWEET!!! I might just do that... that should save me a butt load of money.
Posted by: MxDale71
I'm not planning on getting the long travel Housers. I guess I'll need to give Houser a call and ask them about it.
Posted by: MxDale71
Oh ok, thats what I thought but JayBr over there started corrupting my mind with the wrong facts. LOL, J/K Jay! BR>
I saw the +3 Housers for sale for $575 (and that comes w/ the chrome tie rods)directly from Houser. Do any of yall happen to know where I might be able to get them cheaper?
Also, can I run the stock axle nut w/ a +4 Lonestar Axcalibur axle? Kyle, at R&S, told me that you have to buy the anti-fade locking nut w/ the RPM axle because the stocker wouldn't work, so is it like that on the Lonestars too? And one more question... If the stock nut will work, is it a good fit? It doesn't come loose all the time does it? Thats not a huge deal for me (I'm not to lazy to tighten it up) but I was just wondering.
Thanks
Posted by: MxDale71
Jay - Do you know why you would need a different steering stem for the Housers? If I do have to buy the steering stem, than I'll go w/ the Lonestar a-arms... they are about $725 or something like that and they come w/ tie rods and extended brake lines (steel braided ofcourse). How much are the American Star Racing a-arms? I'm going w/ the +3 a-arms because I already have stock Honda wheels. I'll just flip them back around to make them narrower again and it should be pretty close to 50".
Special - are you using RPM's anti-fade locknut?
Posted by: MxDale71
Jay - you had any problems w/ the a-arms? David tells me that they are crappy, but I wanna know your opinion since you have them.
Posted by: MxDale71
Would it be possible for me to use the tie rod ends off of a old 250X? I know where I could probably get them for real cheap.
Posted by: JeffatTQS
Yes, they can!
Posted by: JeffatTQS
Houser makes two types of long travel a-arms. One set for stock 16" shocks and another for special 19" shocks. If you go with the stock shocks, they must be revalved and resprung for the wider arms.
Posted by: JeffatTQS
Another plus for the Houser stem is that it uses Honda tie rod ends. They seem to last forever.
Posted by: JeffatTQS
I think they are making one for the stock ends and one of the Honda ends. I'll ask him next time I call. The stock C-Dale ends wear pretty quick.
Posted by: JeffatTQS
I think they put boots over the tie rod ends now.
Ok, we will be in a blue Cheby with a 24' enclosed trailer that says TheQuadShop on the side. Can you say DUSTBOWL!
Posted by: JeffatTQS
I'll take the mud over dust anyday!
Posted by: JeffatTQS
Ya, all Honda tie rod ends should be the same as long as you get the set! I.E. Left and right hand threads.
Posted by: MOTOWN
I got the lonestar axle and use the stock locknut and it works perfect. All I did was tighten it and the three allen bolts, put the rubber cover back on. I keep checking it but hasn't come loose yet.
Special Hurry and get those parts cause the 14th is right around the corner
