Hey KC I like your video. It was very informative. I own my own auto repair shop and have done thousands of alignments. There are a couple things that you are doing wrong in my opinion. First I would lock the handlebars as strait as you can get them. I use ratchet straps from the bars to the rear rack or wheelie bar on sport quads. Then I would use your string method but you need to look at the rear tire. Because the rear tires have a wider stance you need to look at when the string hits the front sidewall on the rear tire. At that point the string won't even be hitting the front tire. But your string will be completely strait with the rear tire. Then measure the distance from the string at two points. Front and rear of the front tire. The way you are doing it the string is already towed in because the rear tires track wider than the front. I like your tow plates though I am going to have to make some.
Hi MrJoro12 All good points the string is only used to get the bars centered as you could tell. Yes I could’ve locked the bars down with ratchet strap or something but for the purpose of explaining in the video I didn’t bother. It’s funny it was more difficult to explain the process on Camera than I would have thought. LOL Frankie‘s at Frankie‘s channel asked me to show him how I align my quad and that’s what prompt me to do this video. Thanks for watching and appreciate the comment!
Hey buddy, really appreciate you doing this video as I was wondering how you were using the plates. It all makes sense. Only thing that surprised me was I didn't think you needed to use the string. My theory was once you set both tires to 100 % straight then the handle bars would also have to be perfectly straight. Unless you have a bent steering shaft. Now if we can assume that it's all 100% straight. All we have left to do is decide how much toe in or out you want. So if you need 1/4 inch. Then you would adjust one side 1/8 and and other side an 1/8. This is how I was in envisioning it. Once again, I really appreciate you telling me about the plates because this method is definitely a much easier and quicker way to do alignments. Thanks again buddy. Great job on the video.
Heyyy! Frankie, Hope you was able to catch on to what I was talking about with the string. After watching it back I wish I would’ve been a little more clear on having the same equal distance of gap on the front tires with the string. I think you understood that when you’re saying an 1/8 “ gap on each side of the front tires when the handlebars are straight. What makes it quick is the toe plates. . Most of the time I don’t string it. Just check the Toe real quick if it’s good then I’m done. Thanks for suggesting I do this video buddy! Had fun filming and making it, got the wife involved. LOL !
@@kcatv9556 lol.. I don't think it has anything to do with the lawnmower, it's just Him and Frankie are a different breed.. Sloooooow learners..... YeeeeHaaaw....
@@kcatv9556 LMAO! I didn't see this until after I hit the reply button to your reply on my comment (whewww, what's with all the confusing sentences for me tonight?). Anyway, as for your lawnmower comment . . . I'd rather have my ass on a lawnmower than tied to a piano - hahaha!
I have owned every four wheeler brand and it’s always been 1/8 - 1/4 “ toed out, I never heard or seen where it’s stated to have toe in, unless it’s a sport quad
Hi chief119 this video was meant to show the procedure of how to set the toe on a quad. Toe spec May vary from quad to quad. With that being said the spec on the grizzly is toe in 0 to 10 mm. So 5mm Would be right in the middle. Which is basically 3/16 of an inch toe in, not toe out. Hope that helps you out thanks for checking out the video.
Nice explanation and very logical...good job...I see you have elka stage 3s on you grizzly...do you honestly feel they are worth the money? Do they improve the ride / suspension that much ? I have looked at getting them in the past but they are expensive! Thanks
Hi Duane For me yes I feel they were worth the money. I would say it really depends on how well your quad rides now, will determine how much of an improvement they are?.. Hope that helps you out thanks for watching the video and commenting!
you cant do the string method like that , if your rear tires are wider. You have to hold the string away from the front tire , if theyre wider in the rear.
The string is only used to center the handlebars. Doesn’t matter that the rear is wider or not. The toe plates used to set the toe. Thanks for checking out the video!
Maritime! Thanks buddy! yeah the tires are shot on the grizzly lol! Going to get some new ones this year. Thanks for checking out the video buddy much appreciated !!
It can still be off track since you do not measure or the rear axel is straight if the rear axel is slitly off you quad can ride to left or right You measuring not from center to each side!
On your plates if you decide to make some more take and put some legs on it to lift it up above the radial tire bulge Anyway great video for those who are not to rough on their bikes where the racks tend to get tweaked from playing bumper cars with your buddies
Hey Stacy., Bumper cars with your buddies yeah I hear yeah that doesn’t help things out! LOL some extenders for the toe plates, Yep that’s a good idea! Thanks for checking out the video buddy!
KC ATV World no problem and with the extended feet would allow you to nearly do it by yourself, but it's always nice to get the wife or in some cases ( not yours ) the ole lady help out. lol don't kill the joker Mrs K.
317RIDER .. It shouldn’t make much of a difference at all. Since you really just use the real wheels to center the bars. The toe plates is what you used to set the front wheel toe in. Hope that helps you thanks for checking out the video.
@@kcatv9556 ok so next question about the tie rods how do i install them if i cant turn the bar while on the atv its a 2014 grizzly 450 irs with the highlifter 2in lift... am i supposed to crank the nut down on them in place and guess or are the ends supposed to just fall in place?
Not sure I’m following you exactly.? If you’re talking about the jam nuts on the tie rod ends. You just take a wrench on them and break them loose one is left-handed one is right hand thread. If you’re talking about where the tire rod end goes through the steering arm out by the wheel. That is pressed and you will need to knock it out with a hammer after you remove the nut.
LMAO at the little towel for your knee. I have a knee towel too. Mine's more of a foam pad though - LOL Nope, I don't know what a skowch is. Please tell me. LOL - Ms.K cracks me up. You're being all serious & she's crackin' jokes - too funny! This was very helpful. And seeing as how you are more mechanically inclined than I am, I have a question: How did you manage to get your front tires square at 47 7/8 's when your strings were not square? And I say this because . . . you stated the back tires have a wider track than the front. So when you are pulling the string across the front tires from the back, you are now running the two strings at intersecting angles which means they are not parallel and not square. Which also means you would be setting your front tires to toe-in if the string is touching the back of the front tire at the same time as the front of the front tire right? (whewwww, was that sentence as confusing to read as it was to write?) Not saying this isn't correct. I'm just having trouble figuring out the geometry. Maybe I'll just come down to your place to have my tires aligned. Your garage is way cleaner than mine anyway. Do you ever eat off your garage floor just because you can? LMAO! Awesome video by the way.
You noticed that his floor was super clean too My shop floor is still dirt unless I pull my SXS up on a trailer or lay some paper mill felt down. Even then I wouldn't eat anything off any of it.
@@stacyreid5077 Awwww come on Stacy, I'm sure you've done the 10 second rule at some point in your shop with a potato chip or a piece of jerky right? LOL
WOW!! After reading that comment I think it will be easier if you just bring your lawnmower down here and I will just align it for you. LMAO!! We can have lunch on the garage floor to if you would like. LOL! (Most) quads have a wider track with in the rear. But not mine as you could see. Thanks for the comment buddy I think!!? Hahahahaha!
@@kcatv9556 Ohhhh, okay, I thought you said your back tires had a wider track width than your front (like most). OK, now this all makes sense. The geometry wasn't adding up, but now it does. So if the rear track width is wider on my Honda Mower, I would just need to build some wheel clamps to bring the string out square with the back tires right? OK, seems simple enough to me. All joking aside, this video helped me the most out of all the wheel alignment videos. I think you should have been wearing your new Q-shirt though. I'm a little jealous that Frankie got mentioned, but I didn't . . . sigh . . . LOL!
Quaddingsous ah nope not in my shop. It's open for the cows and horses to come in and uhhh poop 💩 all over in it I try to keep them out of it and it wasn't so bad till my niece just had to have her horse that was in Mississippi for 10 years she had to have him back here and he thinks he's a dog because she raised him as such and now he's about 30 years old and as much as I don't like him I don't have the heart to sick my dog on him
I never knew you could really do an alignment on a bike. Probably should look into that for mine. lol. Frankie!!! Though with what we are riding would it even be worth doing an alignment? 🤔
North Country Boyz .. If your bars seem a little off center when riding, you can go through this process and get them straight again. Thanks for watching my friend!!
KC ATV World trying to get caught back up on what everyone has been up to now that Jenn and I are back home from our two weeks of riding 🤦🏻♂️. Time flies when having fun. I need to change out my steering post again. Which requires taking the tie rods off. Going to give it all a good check over before the season truly starts up. 😎. Videos like this are great to see. I get asked to do them but the time to do it. Just isn’t there. Lol
Good thorough video. We all appreciate guys like you who take the time to make these videos
You’re welcome. That’s one thing about TH-cam you can share information and ideas with other folks. Thanks for checking out the video!
Nice video KC. Looks like an easy check/adjustment now. Thanks for all of your videos!
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoy the videos. We appreciate your support!
Hey KC I like your video. It was very informative. I own my own auto repair shop and have done thousands of alignments. There are a couple things that you are doing wrong in my opinion. First I would lock the handlebars as strait as you can get them. I use ratchet straps from the bars to the rear rack or wheelie bar on sport quads. Then I would use your string method but you need to look at the rear tire. Because the rear tires have a wider stance you need to look at when the string hits the front sidewall on the rear tire. At that point the string won't even be hitting the front tire. But your string will be completely strait with the rear tire. Then measure the distance from the string at two points. Front and rear of the front tire. The way you are doing it the string is already towed in because the rear tires track wider than the front. I like your tow plates though I am going to have to make some.
Hi MrJoro12 All good points the string is only used to get the bars centered as you could tell. Yes I could’ve locked the bars down with ratchet strap or something but for the purpose of explaining in the video I didn’t bother.
It’s funny it was more difficult to explain the process on Camera than I would have thought. LOL Frankie‘s at Frankie‘s channel asked me to show him how I align my quad and that’s what prompt me to do this video.
Thanks for watching and appreciate the comment!
Also you can never just adjust one side and not the other. Both sides have to be adjusted to set for equal adjustment.
Hey buddy, really appreciate you doing this video as I was wondering how you were using the plates. It all makes sense. Only thing that surprised me was I didn't think you needed to use the string. My theory was once you set both tires to 100 % straight then the handle bars would also have to be perfectly straight. Unless you have a bent steering shaft. Now if we can assume that it's all 100% straight. All we have left to do is decide how much toe in or out you want. So if you need 1/4 inch. Then you would adjust one side 1/8 and and other side an 1/8. This is how I was in envisioning it. Once again, I really appreciate you telling me about the plates because this method is definitely a much easier and quicker way to do alignments. Thanks again buddy. Great job on the video.
Heyyy! Frankie, Hope you was able to catch on to what I was talking about with the string.
After watching it back I wish I would’ve been a little more clear on having the same equal distance of gap on the front tires with the string. I think you understood that when you’re saying an 1/8 “ gap on each side of the front tires when the handlebars are straight.
What makes it quick is the toe plates. . Most of the time I don’t string it. Just check the Toe real quick if it’s good then I’m done.
Thanks for suggesting I do this video buddy! Had fun filming and making it, got the wife involved. LOL !
thank you for doing this video KC!
You’re welcome, hope it made sense to you..
Hey KC!! Hey this video was really cool! Definitely learned a new way to do an alignment thanks for the knowledge
The Matic .. Yeah buddy that way when you get a new ATV you can align it! LOL
Nice Job explaining the Tow plates KC... Lets see if Frankie learnt anything... Btw Love the shop..
Thanks buddy!! I’m sure Frankie will understand the process.
Check out Q’s comment I don’t think he learnt anything! Do you think it’s because he rides a lawnmower? LOL
@@kcatv9556 lol.. I don't think it has anything to do with the lawnmower, it's just Him and Frankie are a different breed.. Sloooooow learners..... YeeeeHaaaw....
@@kcatv9556
LMAO! I didn't see this until after I hit the reply button to your reply on my comment (whewww, what's with all the confusing sentences for me tonight?). Anyway, as for your lawnmower comment . . . I'd rather have my ass on a lawnmower than tied to a piano - hahaha!
@@biggun8848 LOL - jackass!
I have owned every four wheeler brand and it’s always been 1/8 - 1/4 “ toed out, I never heard or seen where it’s stated to have toe in, unless it’s a sport quad
Hi chief119 this video was meant to show the procedure of how to set the toe on a quad.
Toe spec May vary from quad to quad.
With that being said the spec on the grizzly is toe in 0 to 10 mm. So 5mm Would be right in the middle.
Which is basically 3/16 of an inch toe in, not toe out.
Hope that helps you out thanks for checking out the video.
Nice explanation and very logical...good job...I see you have elka stage 3s on you grizzly...do you honestly feel they are worth the money? Do they improve the ride / suspension that much ? I have looked at getting them in the past but they are expensive! Thanks
Hi Duane For me yes I feel they were worth the money. I would say it really depends on how well your quad rides now, will determine how much of an improvement they are?..
Hope that helps you out thanks for watching the video and commenting!
you cant do the string method like that , if your rear tires are wider. You have to hold the string away from the front tire , if theyre wider in the rear.
The string is only used to center the handlebars. Doesn’t matter that the rear is wider or not. The toe plates used to set the toe.
Thanks for checking out the video!
Hey ! Good informative video KC Almost time for some new rubber on that Grizzy !
Maritime! Thanks buddy! yeah the tires are shot on the grizzly lol! Going to get some new ones this year. Thanks for checking out the video buddy much appreciated !!
It can still be off track since you do not measure or the rear axel is straight if the rear axel is slitly off you quad can ride to left or right
You measuring not from center to each side!
On your plates if you decide to make some more take and put some legs on it to lift it up above the radial tire bulge Anyway great video for those who are not to rough on their bikes where the racks tend to get tweaked from playing bumper cars with your buddies
Hey Stacy., Bumper cars with your buddies yeah I hear yeah that doesn’t help things out! LOL some extenders for the toe plates, Yep that’s a good idea! Thanks for checking out the video buddy!
KC ATV World no problem and with the extended feet would allow you to nearly do it by yourself, but it's always nice to get the wife or in some cases ( not yours ) the ole lady help out. lol don't kill the joker Mrs K.
Yup LOL !!
I’m confused. Do you want the front toed in or out
Ohio Outdoors . Toe in 6 mm or 3/16 of inch. Hope that helps you thanks for watching!
Bit more complicated than a motorcycle.. Great video, very interesting!!!
Dirt ObseXXion .. Yeah I would say a motorcycle would be a bit easier. Unless you crash it first and your bars are crooked, been there done that. LOL
@@kcatv9556 ditto!🤣🤣🤣
Will the string method work if my rear wheel is bent a little
317RIDER .. It shouldn’t make much of a difference at all. Since you really just use the real wheels to center the bars. The toe plates is what you used to set the front wheel toe in. Hope that helps you thanks for checking out the video.
@@kcatv9556 ok so next question about the tie rods how do i install them if i cant turn the bar while on the atv its a 2014 grizzly 450 irs with the highlifter 2in lift... am i supposed to crank the nut down on them in place and guess or are the ends supposed to just fall in place?
Not sure I’m following you exactly.? If you’re talking about the jam nuts on the tie rod ends. You just take a wrench on them and break them loose one is left-handed one is right hand thread. If you’re talking about where the tire rod end goes through the steering arm out by the wheel. That is pressed and you will need to knock it out with a hammer after you remove the nut.
Great video thanks for sharing
Your welcome! Thanks for watching!
LMAO at the little towel for your knee. I have a knee towel too. Mine's more of a foam pad though - LOL
Nope, I don't know what a skowch is. Please tell me.
LOL - Ms.K cracks me up. You're being all serious & she's crackin' jokes - too funny!
This was very helpful. And seeing as how you are more mechanically inclined than I am, I have a question:
How did you manage to get your front tires square at 47 7/8 's when your strings were not square? And I say this because . . . you stated the back tires have a wider track than the front. So when you are pulling the string across the front tires from the back, you are now running the two strings at intersecting angles which means they are not parallel and not square. Which also means you would be setting your front tires to toe-in if the string is touching the back of the front tire at the same time as the front of the front tire right? (whewwww, was that sentence as confusing to read as it was to write?) Not saying this isn't correct. I'm just having trouble figuring out the geometry. Maybe I'll just come down to your place to have my tires aligned. Your garage is way cleaner than mine anyway. Do you ever eat off your garage floor just because you can? LMAO!
Awesome video by the way.
You noticed that his floor was super clean too My shop floor is still dirt unless I pull my SXS up on a trailer or lay some paper mill felt down. Even then I wouldn't eat anything off any of it.
@@stacyreid5077
Awwww come on Stacy, I'm sure you've done the 10 second rule at some point in your shop with a potato chip or a piece of jerky right? LOL
WOW!! After reading that comment I think it will be easier if you just bring your lawnmower down here and I will just align it for you. LMAO!! We can have lunch on the garage floor to if you would like. LOL! (Most) quads have a wider track with in the rear. But not mine as you could see.
Thanks for the comment buddy I think!!? Hahahahaha!
@@kcatv9556
Ohhhh, okay, I thought you said your back tires had a wider track width than your front (like most). OK, now this all makes sense. The geometry wasn't adding up, but now it does. So if the rear track width is wider on my Honda Mower, I would just need to build some wheel clamps to bring the string out square with the back tires right? OK, seems simple enough to me. All joking aside, this video helped me the most out of all the wheel alignment videos. I think you should have been wearing your new Q-shirt though. I'm a little jealous that Frankie got mentioned, but I didn't . . . sigh . . . LOL!
Quaddingsous ah nope not in my shop. It's open for the cows and horses to come in and uhhh poop 💩 all over in it I try to keep them out of it and it wasn't so bad till my niece just had to have her horse that was in Mississippi for 10 years she had to have him back here and he thinks he's a dog because she raised him as such and now he's about 30 years old and as much as I don't like him I don't have the heart to sick my dog on him
nice shop
Thank you!!
I never knew you could really do an alignment on a bike. Probably should look into that for mine. lol. Frankie!!! Though with what we are riding would it even be worth doing an alignment? 🤔
North Country Boyz .. If your bars seem a little off center when riding, you can go through this process and get them straight again. Thanks for watching my friend!!
KC ATV World trying to get caught back up on what everyone has been up to now that Jenn and I are back home from our two weeks of riding 🤦🏻♂️. Time flies when having fun.
I need to change out my steering post again. Which requires taking the tie rods off. Going to give it all a good check over before the season truly starts up. 😎.
Videos like this are great to see. I get asked to do them but the time to do it. Just isn’t there. Lol
Good Work.Mucho appreciado.
mbg238 . You’re welcome thanks for watching!
Thank for the video.
Versys Chris.. You’re welcome, Thanks for watching!!
Ok, I work with degrees and millimeters. This video just confused a simple job😟
Video had nothing to do with degrees. Also tape measure is in inches.
ty for this
You’re welcome.
A great great video, Coincidence, I think not
San Andreas .. Thanks!!
Its not possible to use this method unless you lock the handle bars in place. It's a lesson in futility unless you do that