[ratdude747]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

It is a bit more complicated than cantilever = shredded and not cantilevered = OK. It depends on how well supported the shaft is when cantilevered, how far the load is from the shaft, etc. I'd be inclined to think deflection from the loading being placed on both sides of the gear might sort of cancel out? Regardless this approach is probably fine, just be careful to make sure the inner bearing is very carefully aligned. If bolt holes are the only thing constraining that bearing in place, that might get tricky to line up as you assemble the gearbox. Especially if you are running this with a third bearing in the drive tube / plate / whatever.

Not necessarily, as the gear in question (if I'm looking at the same thing) is on the output shaft. If it were in a WCD type application, you'd have plenty of deflection. If there were something else supporting the output shaft or had it connected to two or more things evenly distributed (no direct driven wheel) then you might be OK.