Do I need axel spacers?

I’m inclined to think with as many as they’ve sold they do know what they’re doing. You made the purchase OP, have you emailed them to see what they say? Might be a good reference for others down the line.

Edit: realized after the fact (even after my retort) I wrote don’t instead of do. My mistake Scott.
 
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figure8 said:
I’m inclined to think with as many as they’ve sold they don’t know what they’re doing. You made the purchase OP, have you emailed them to see what they say? Might be a good reference for others down the line.
Click to expand...

I can't let that remark go unchallenged. They do know what they're doing. They left some option in spacing for the builder/measurer/welder that doesn't know what they're doing.

Scott
 
mrtwowheel said:
I can't let that remark go unchallenged. They do know what they're doing. They left some option in spacing for the builder/measurer/welder that doesn't know what they're doing.

Scott
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I’m fine with that, hence why I want to know what they say. No need to be challenged, I’m curious to know as you are.
 
figure8 said:
I’m fine with that, hence why I want to know what they say. No need to be challenged, I’m curious to know as you are.
Click to expand...

And what would you ask them? Their instructions tell of the need for washers/spacers. The placement of the washers/spacers depends on the sprocket alignment. The hard tail was designed to use the four washers/spacers where I stated earlier, that is, if the builder measured/cut/welded exactly to their instructions.

Scott
 
mrtwowheel said:
And what would you ask them? Their instructions tell of the need for washers/spacers. The placement of the washers/spacers depends on the sprocket alignment. The hard tail was designed to use the four washers/spacers where I stated earlier, that is, if the builder measured/cut/welded exactly to their instructions.

Scott
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OP said none of this, hence me line of questions.
 
My brother-in-law bought a shed package from the lumber yard. Boy was he shocked when they delivered the lumber. He really couldn't understand why a 12 foot 2x4 wasn't exactly 12' long. I see a lot of similarity here. I built him a nice shed.

Scott
 
mrtwowheel said:
My brother-in-law bought a shed package from the lumber yard. Boy was he shocked when they delivered the lumber. He really couldn't understand why a 12 foot 2x4 wasn't exactly 12' long. I see a lot of similarity here. I built him a nice shed.

Scott
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Thread done, understand now OP?
 
Nope (at least) one more comment :cool: Providing a divot in the rear of the axle plate for the adjuster bolt to center on is super important. Without it the bolt will walk and bend when you attempt to adjust the chain tension or worse, while riding. Not sure if TC Bros provide one or not. Many many have learned belatedly of the intricacies involved in structural welding and parts alignment while trying to get a wheel properly fit in a welded on hardtail.
Problems here have been the beginning of the end on many a chopper project.
Sumotrack- formerly New XS
 
TC Bros does provide that divot for the adjuster bolt, right smack in the center of the axle plate thickness. So, if you weld on that 3/16" plate to both axle plates your adjusters will look like SHIT.

Scott
 
Yes, if you shim or space only one side of the axle plate, the chain adjuster screw won't align with the divot in the end of their skinny axle plate.
 
mrtwowheel said:
TC Bros does provide that divot for the adjuster bolt, right smack in the center of the axle plate thickness. So, if you weld on that 3/16" plate to both axle plates your adjusters will look like SHIT.

Scott
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Wasn't someone just claiming that TC made thin plates so random washer placement will act to center the wheel? Which is it?
IMHO you weld the plate so the rear is flush to the TC plate, (or build up and grind flush) fill the old divot and drill a new one that's centered. When installing the hardtail in a frame jig the spacing is held with all thread nuts and washers, properly alternated beads holds alignment or reheat and normalize welded areas as needed. Typical semi custom work and a better solution than loose washers. But that's custom, build to YOUR satisfaction, not ours.
gggGary who tends to buy failed projects and fix or part them out as inspection reveals the builders "standards". See the Ersatz Indian thread LOL
 
Maybe my final word on this.:) If using the four 1/8" washers is too tight of a fit between the axle plates, do this....use two 1/8" washers/bushings and two 1/16" washers/bushings. Place the 1/8" washers/bushings on the outside of the axle plates and the 1/16" washers/bushings on the inside of the axle plates. This allows the adjusters to still look and work good. This spacing also allows the axle and castle nut to work good. I used this spacing on mine.

I do not blame TC Bros one bit for not specifying exactly where to place these spacers. It is the BUILDERS RESPONSIBILITY to decide where to place these spacers. If the sprocket alignment is not right after using the spacing like this, well, that's the builders fault not TC Bros fault. And, it is a great design and is also somewhat forgiving of some mistakes.

Read all of my posts here, trust me, after extensive measuring, this is the gospel on TC Bros hard tail axle spacing, and how the design was meant to be used.

Scott
 
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And another,

Whenever I see thin axle plates, I'm thinking that they were intended for using the early 70-73 thinner adjusters. And, if using stock dimensioned spacers, would need the early 70-73 axle as well. Not easy finding those parts.

Be aware of the later, wider, adjusters, as there's a left and a right, one with a smaller hole for the axle threads. So, you may need to be mindful of spacer selection with respect to axle length. A reference thread:

http://www.xs650.com/threads/any-guesses-as-to-what-caused-this.34841/
 

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