Chain tensioner On Pedal Chain

[FlyJSH]

Howdy all,

I don't like using the chain tensioner. They are one more thing to align and fail. So on my builds I shorten the motor chain and adjust the rear wheel to tighten the chain.... just like on a motorcycle. Unfortunately, there are some set-ups where, no matter what I do, either the pedal or motor chain is saggy loose.

Sooo, I got to thinking......

Rather than put the tensioner on the fast moving Chain-O-Death, why not put it on the pedal chain? The pedals get little use, and when the pedals are used, everything is moving much slower (at least in MY case).

And for those who hate the look of the stock tensioner, there are a bunch of fancy bicycle tensioners.

Cheers
j

[Spunout]

yessir, good idea and its been done.
sometimes, the tensioner HAS to be on the motor side. like with stretch cruisers. we gotta have them in certain places, to keep the chain from rubbing thru the frame.
others have spring-loaded tensioners. that allows for alot more sprocket....'inaccuracies' as far as its centering. those get rid of alot of zip-zip-zip!

[Venice Motor Bikes]

Yeah, I've done that before & it works great!

[Mike Hunt]

whats the point of putting it on the pedal chain side if you don't need it on the motor chain side; why use it at all?

[Venice Motor Bikes]

Because it's hard to get both chains perfect without any chain tensioner!

[FlyJSH]

Ditto Venice Boy.

When I can, I get rid of the tensioner all together. But depending on the install, sometimes one chain will still be too long.

[geeksquid]

For those who can weld or willing to hire it done, here's a great tensioner idea that's very simple.