tight chain

Check out chain tensioners on this forum. Some folks put a tensioner on the pedal chain and nothing on the engine chain, others use a half link on the engine chain to get the overall length close enough to avoid using a tensioner.
Here's a link to a informational thread:
http://motorbicycling.com/f4/chain-tensioner-falling-into-spokes-mystery-19727.html

In my post, #6, I linked to another thread that shows one of the safest ways (IMHO) to use a tensioner on the engine drive chain.

I've been running a spring loaded tensioner for a year now and have not had any problems. I switched to #41 chain and replaced the Tractor Supply spring loaded roller with a sprocket. Works great for me.

Tinsmith said:

I switched to #41 chain and replaced the Tractor Supply spring loaded roller with a sprocket. Works great for me.

Click to expand...

I have been wanting to do this for some time now

I got a tensoiner on order from tsc but where did you get the sprocket to replace the roller

i didnt see any that seemed small enough at tsc

I guess I need to elaborate a little more. I don't offer a lot of advice 'cause my knowledge on these bikes is fairly limited. I mostly read. I am an old metal worker in a machine shop so I forget sometimes that some things aren't that simple. I had a 2-3/4 inch 15 tooth #41 sprocket laying around and also a bearing for it. I had to bore out the sprocket and press in the bearing. You might want to try out the roller. From some of the past posts I've read, a lot of the fellas are real happy with the roller. It already has a bearing in it and it's quiet. If I remember correctly, some have gone to the hardware store and bought a small stiff "helper" spring. You should be able to attach it to one of the mounting bolts and you may have to drill a small hole in the arm to attach the other end. I will see if my wife can show me how to post a picture of what I did. It's not fancy, but works well.

Here are a few photos of my modification of the Tractor Supply spring-loaded roller tensioner. I mounted it on the down tube and cut and welded the stock kit roller in a different configuration. I had some #41 chain and a sprocket so I swapped out the roller for the sprocket. Pressed a bearing into the sprocket and added a helper spring. The sprocket has plenty of lateral movement so it runs where it needs to. Haven't had to touch it since I installed it a year and a half ago. Hope this might be helpful. Dan

here you go old surfer
Search Results
you will see a spring and the tensioner on the top left on the search results

i beleivve the tensioner assembly includes the spring though i could be wrong

and I gotta say Tinsmith that is the first time I have seen a velocity stack on such a small engine