Skate wheel tensioner mod

**Bikeguy Joe** · #1 (**permalink**) 08-02-2008, 09:02 AM

Here is the skate wheel I keep talking about....

First pic is the wheel, after I've cut off the "tire" leaving the harder center "wheel" Not all skate wheels are like this, but be aware that some are....how do you think I figured it out? That's right, I started to "contour" the wheel on my bench grinder, only to have the tire carcass fly off and shoot acoss the shop.
The second photo is the skate wheel, after contouring, mounted on the stock tensioner bracket.

A couple of items are needed to make this mod....
(1) 5/16" x 2" grade 5 or equivalent bolt.
(1) Corrosponding nut.
(3) washers.
(1) skate wheel.
RED LOCTITE.

Bolt the wheel on the stock tensiner bracket using the 5/16" bolt. Turn the nut until it is just tight enough to hold the wheel on, no tighter! You are using the nut to tension the bearing, like a wheel bearing on a car.)
Use the high strength loctite to "loc it". The wheel will slide up and down in the bracket, don't worry about that. You slide the whole works back to tension the chain. The RED loctite will keep the nut from coming off. I tried to remove it just for kicks and usning 90% of my reasonable force I was unable to move the nut.

IF YOU PIN YOUR TENSIONER-
Drill a series of holes in the tensioner bracket and clean them up with a file to make a slot. (photo No. 3) You will need the slot because now instead of using the up and down slot and bolt in the wheel to adjust tension, you will be sliding the bracket rearward to tighten the chain....it works fine.
No comments on the extra hole in the chainstay please...

I ran this awhile last night, but I will put a good 25-++?? miles on it this afternoon and report back.

The stock no bearing roller was a disaster waiting to happen.

**fairracing31** · #2 (**permalink**) 08-02-2008, 03:21 PM

That looks great Godfather

**Bikeguy Joe** · #3 (**permalink**) 08-02-2008, 08:21 PM

Just got back from running a whole tank through the bike and no problems....the chain didn't even loosen up.

It's going up for sale!

goat herder · #4 (**permalink**) 08-09-2008, 02:14 AM

I'am fasinated need better poirtrayed picts please. picts coming on my first build finaly cleaning house. figure I'll find my camera. Just so easy to say wow house dirty bike good leave house come home sleep. last Oh gez putter back to parr again repeat. cool forum guz my picts coming and many!

**Bikeguy Joe** · #5 (**permalink**) 08-09-2008, 07:12 AM

Them thar pics will have to do, I sold the bike yesterday. Click on the small pics to make big ones.

**Bikeguy Joe** · #6 (**permalink**) 08-09-2008, 07:14 AM

I will add that the bike had well over a hundred miles on it when it sold and the roller was functioning flawlessly with no wear.

**Norman** · #7 (**permalink**) 08-09-2008, 06:14 PM

I've been playing with a skateboard wheel for a tension-er too and the wheel skins peeled off so I'm now going to chuck it up in the lathe and make the shoulders when I get the time. I have an idea to make it work just like the other tensioner did for adjustment by making a spacer tube for the mounting bolt. This should work great I think.

**Bikeguy Joe** · #8 (**permalink**) 08-09-2008, 07:55 PM

Keep me posted on the tube.