chain tensioner replacement

papirican71 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 10:59 PM

hi all. this is my first post, and i hope there is somone here who can help me. since i felt that the tensioner wheel that came stock with the kit was garbage, i looked for other ways to make this better. i noticed in the one post on here that someone used a idler sprocket (17t) from tractor supply company and just mounted it to the stock tensioner bracket. So i purchesed the idler sprocket, but have no idea how to go about mounting it to the tensioner bracket being that the sprocket has a huge hole in the center. does anyone have ideas on how i could mount this sprocket to the tensioner? I know that i would need a bolt, washer, lock washer, and a nut to secure it all , but i don't know what size. please help!

GearNut · #2 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 11:22 PM

Sorry, cant help you with that.
Why don't you indroduce yourself in the Introduce Yourself section?
Introduce Yourself - Motorized Bicycle Welcome Forum at Motorized Bicycle Forum

BTW, Welcome to the forum!

Venice Motor Bikes · #3 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by papirican71

hi all. this is my first post, and i hope there is somone here who can help me. since i felt that the tensioner wheel that came stock with the kit was garbage, i looked for other ways to make this better. i noticed in the one post on here that someone used a idler sprocket (17t) from tractor supply company and just mounted it to the stock tensioner bracket. So i purchesed the idler sprocket, but have no idea how to go about mounting it to the tensioner bracket being that the sprocket has a huge hole in the center. does anyone have ideas on how i could mount this sprocket to the tensioner? I know that i would need a bolt, washer, lock washer, and a nut to secure it all , but i don't know what size. please help!

Dood... The stock tensioner wheel might be garbage, but it will work!
But if the feeling of needing to tinker with building a better one overcomes you, then be creative! Start watching those chopper shows! Go to your LHS & look at all the nuts & bolts & washers & bushings & stuff & try to find something that will work. You'll be proud of yourself once you fixed it!
Good luck, & post some pics of what you build... we like pics!!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot... Welcome to the forum!

**2door** · #4 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 01:34 PM

Welcome to the forum. Glad you've joined us.
If you're intent on replacing the kit supplied tensioner wheel here is a link to a discussion on that subject> Skate wheel tensioner mod
The kit wheels, especially the ones with a bearing will work fine for you as long as it is perfectly aligned with the chain which usually requires putting a slight twist in the tensioner bracket. Hope this helps.
Tom

bairdco · #5 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 01:42 PM

do you really need the tensioner, or are you using it because it came with the kit?

xlite · #6 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bairdco

do you really need the tensioner, or are you using it because it came with the kit?

HaHa... I think we are the only two that figured this out. Sounding like stuck record needles. STEREO stuck record needles.

**BarelyAWake** · #7 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 07:43 AM

Goin' fer the 'Surround Sound' effect - here's my thoughts (and quite a few others too)

Chain tensioner "suggestions"

Finfan · #8 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 02:38 PM

I got this one off Ebay:

http://motorbicycling.com/attachment...m_img_0358.jpg

xlite · #9 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarelyAWake

Goin' fer the 'Surround Sound' effect - here's my thoughts (and quite a few others too)

Chain tensioner "suggestions"

Very good thread Barely. Specially the point about safety. Unfortunately it's true that "a few" bikes must use the tensioner.

**BarelyAWake** · #10 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 07:28 AM

Thanks xlite! That damn tensioner really worries me, not so much mine as I've got it covered - but on alla kid's bikes I see around. For so many this is their first venture into motorized vehicles, if not - than it may well be their first build-it-yerself adventure.

Even other than the kids - so many people think these kits are "plug-n-play" and that if they just follow the directions (such as they are) that all will be well...

I really wish China Gas (or whomever) would get rid of the dang thing and include one that spans across both bars - of all the bits and their relative shoddiness, that stupid roller guide is the only one that really worries me.

As it's incredibly unlikely they'll ever change although there's so many good alternatives - I figured I'd dump 'em all in one place so newbs could choose amongst them.

Please feel free to add to that thread and/or link to it if you wish