single speed chain issues

mycam8u2 · #1 05-14-2009, 10:03 AM

i just built a new bike, single speed cruiser. is there ant kind of tensioner made for the bike chain?my chain on the bike is loose i cant use it except to stop! i tried taking and adding links from both chains and cant find any happy medium.this is my 2nd build my 1st was a moountain bike..oh and how do i post pics ?

NunyaBidness · #2 05-14-2009, 10:14 AM

here is how you post pics
http://motorbicycling.com/f30/how-po...html#post74624
wish I could help more

theycallmebob · #3 05-14-2009, 10:32 AM

Most single speed bicycles will have horizontal dropouts. You apply tension to the chain by loosening the axle lock nuts and pulling back on the wheel. Obviously you tighten once you achieve the tension you desire.

It's kinda tricky, and there are a variety of ways to do it. Its always helpful having an extra set of hands to hold the wheel back for you. If not, I prefer a se saw method where you pull the wheel back where you want it and angle one side, to tighten the chain more, and tighten the lock nut. Then you have a loose side which you press over to get as close to straight as possible, and tighten the lock nut. Odds are theres too much tension on the chain now and the wheel isnt aligned straight. So you loosen the lock nut that you had angled ever so slightly until the wheel comes into alignment.

Hope that makes sense.

Heres what a horizontal dropout looks like.

mycam8u2 · #4 05-14-2009, 10:40 AM

sorry ,but thats not the problem. i know how to tighten a chain and align a wheel the prob is there is no happy medium between the bike chain and the drive chain. here r some pics of both sides of the bike

theycallmebob · #5 05-14-2009, 10:47 AM

I see.

Have you tried removing the chain from the engine drive side, tensioning the bike drive properly, and then reapplying the engine drive chain and playing with the provided adjusting tensioner?

You should be able to get both tensioned properly without a chain tensioner on the bike drive chain. You can buy half links from certain websites if necessary.

If you want a tensioner I'm sure there are some options out there. Only thing is most tensioners are made to bolt onto a derailleur hanger, I belive. Most bikes with horizontal dropouts lack these.

GL.

mycam8u2 · #6 05-14-2009, 10:51 AM

im going to mess with it some more today,half links, what r they? that would prolly work, because i either end up w/ to much chain or not enough. thanx for tryin to help!!

drhofferber · #7 05-14-2009, 10:54 AM

you need a chain tensioner for both sides...niagra cycle has chain guides that can be converted for your regular chain...thats why i stay with the derailur on my bikes...nashbar also has a chain tensioner tensioner you use when your break done the bike...good luck...show us when you get done...Dennis

OzzyU812 · #8 05-14-2009, 10:58 AM

1/2 links - you may be able to get them locally

Sick Bike Parts LLC - Performance Parts for Your Motorized Bicycle

mycam8u2 · #9 05-14-2009, 11:50 AM

im gonna mess with it today some more. i just got it together yesterday. i had to make a frony mount for it. other than the chain its good. im gonna add a link back into the drive chain, i might have to have the tensioner maxed out which i didnt wanna do. thanx for ur helping guys

GoFastBicycles · #10 05-15-2009, 07:50 AM

Your drive chain is too short add links to drive chain with pedal chain attached that will fix the prob. You will need to use tensioner on the drive chain do all this with the rear wheel in place with the pedal chain attached then make the drive chain longer removing slack via the tensioner .

Hope that all makes sense

Adam