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Toe out on foreman

24K views 18 replies 6 participants last post by  drranch 
#1 ·
My foreman is slightly toe out and i would like detailed instructions on how to adjust it, I'm not real mechanically inclined.

Thanks for any help or suggestions.
 
#2 ·
Good Questions...I would like to know the actual factory spec for this?

I understand the Forman's are Supposed to be toe out a bit to help with cornering and stability.

I took mine back to the dealer and they said it was within specs...they look way out so might get back to dealer again for another look.
 
#3 ·
Never mind...found a print out online of proper spec.

30mm + or - 10mm toe out.
 
#5 · (Edited)
well if you got aftermarket tires you should be able to look down the front tire and use it as a gauge.

while looking straight down the front tire (front to back) you should be able to see it as a straight line and be able to catch the rear Tire, if you can do this and it rides straight, your in the Sweet Zone!

That is as good as your going to get it, as NO Factory Shop will adjust it for you because of liability issues, this is a lesson I learned first hand took mine to several Honda shops and everyone said the same thing (looks good to me) now this might be a Tennessee thing, but I think you will have the same results with shops!

So I learned how to do my own, its easy to do! the only thing you should have to do is, buy a cheap crows foot 19MM line wrench, Mine cost $5 at Harbor Freight, it will keep you from rounding off the Jam nuts on the Tie Rods & you will be able to reach the inside jam nut with ease

Looks like this only 19MM


(NOTE) the inner jam nut on the Tie Rods are Left handed!
 
#6 ·
PS: if anybody has a simpler & more accurate way of Adjusting the front end can you please post it with pics

Thanks
Glide
 
#7 ·
Thats exactly how I do mine wydglide, eyeball it, just did my buddys 02 Rubi and put it in the sweet zone. I didnt buy a crows foot tho, I had 3 19mm wrenches in the box so I heated one with the torch and bent the head, works just as good.
 
#8 ·
A man has to do what ya got to do.....B)
 
#9 ·
To check toe-in/out I measure it from the mold seams that go around the center of the front wheels. I measure the distances on the front and rear of the front tires, about even in height as the centercap of the wheel. My 99' 450 came back from the shop (20 hr break in service) with about 1 1/2" toe in...yes toe in. it handled great with stock tires but darted real bad with the mudlites on it. Now I've had a few others set to honda spec and they were hard to steer and took a country mile to make a U-turn. I have my 05' 500 set dead even, no toe in or out, and it handles great on the trails. One thing I have noticed is with the location of the tie rod ends to the A-arm pivots. There is not much planarity between them so throughout the suspension travel there is a large change in your allingment. It's going to change with your size and riding style. Just play with it and you'll find what you like.
 
#10 ·
To check toe-in/out I measure it from the mold seams that go around the center of the front wheels. I measure the distances on the front and rear of the front tires, about even in height as the centercap of the wheel. My 99' 450 came back from the shop (20 hr break in service) with about 1 1/2" toe in...yes toe in. it handled great with stock tires but darted real bad with the mudlites on it. Now I've had a few others set to honda spec and they were hard to steer and took a country mile to make a U-turn. I have my 05' 500 set dead even, no toe in or out, and it handles great on the trails. One thing I have noticed is with the location of the tie rod ends to the A-arm pivots. There is not much planarity between them so throughout the suspension travel there is a large change in your allingment. It's going to change with your size and riding style. Just play with it and you'll find what you like.

I totally understand what your saying....but my question is how do you measure the back side of the tires? their is a ATV between mine and no room to get a straight line from tire to tire!

Now I'm not being a smart aZZ, but I been asking the same question for years! B)
 
#11 ·
Now thats funny wydglide, I didnt even think of how your going to measure the back side of the tire, you would have to disassemble everything thats in the way. Thats another reason why I eyeball mine. Toodeep, how do they align them in the shop?
 
#14 ·
I agree it is funny!
Ive had Dealerships tell me to measure them (front & Back)...I just look at them and Grin!B)
 
#12 ·
It's the 'about even' part that's key Glide. On the one's I've done I just go to the bottom of the frame. You may have to have a helper but I got arms like a mile long and just slide under the bike. Close is good enough with the terrain most of us ride. Now a vehicle on pavement all the time is another story. In the honda manual they have a fancy tool to do this with, now I guess you could make one if you wanted but a tape measure works.
 
#13 ·
It's the 'about even' part that's key Glide. On the one's I've done I just go to the bottom of the frame. You may have to have a helper but I got arms like a mile long and just slide under the bike. Close is good enough with the terrain most of us ride. Now a vehicle on pavement all the time is another story. In the honda manual they have a fancy tool to do this with, now I guess you could make one if you wanted but a tape measure works.
hehehe....I already got Two, my eyeballs :lol:

seriously though, I was not making fun of anybody! I just think its funny that people say to measure front & Back and their is just NO WAY to do it......if you do it correctly 1/2 way up the tire!

all in all as you said & like I explained.....adjusting off the cuff eyeballing is good enough for our type of riding!
 
#15 ·
HeHe, wheres Toodeep when you need him, I wanna hear how he does it in the shop, probably eyeball eh wydglide. lol.
 
#16 ·
heck if i know...LOL B)

I would like to see a pic of what they use in shops though, the more ya learn the better off you are!
 
#17 ·
Your eyes must be better than mine. I tried that and they end up toed in a bit much. After my 450 came back from the shop with 2" toe in I was shocked when I seen what spec actually was. If I had to guess, shops probably eyeball it too. After doing a few I'm sure you can get close to spec.
 
#18 ·
Your eyes must be better than mine. I tried that and they end up toed in a bit much. After my 450 came back from the shop with 2" toe in I was shocked when I seen what spec actually was. If I had to guess, shops probably eyeball it too. After doing a few I'm sure you can get close to spec.
2" MAN! what was they trying to do get you killed?

Ive already done several, as I'm no stranger around a tool Box! ^_^
 
#19 ·
Yeah and surprisingly it handled well with stock tires but was a handfull when I put the mudlites on it. I got it straightened out now and it's not bad. I wouldn't have taken it to a shop but they gave me a good price for the 20 hour break in service so I gave it a shot. Other than the alingment they did a good job. that was the first and last time anyone else puts a wrench to my ride.
 
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