Chain Tensioner
- Thread starter kkalan
- Start date
jji7skyline
New Member
It's stupid, the stock tensioner. I have some wire that keeps the bolt from sliding in, and it connects to the frame.
Try that first, might save you a few bucks
Try that first, might save you a few bucks
Mr. Minecraft
Visionary
First break the chain to proper length. Then buy some of these from Home Depot for very cheap and fine tune it, I do it on all of my bikes. Phantom Bikes also does this on all of theirs.
Chain Breaker: http://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-duty-chain-breaker-66488.html
Chain Breaker: http://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-duty-chain-breaker-66488.html
Mr. Minecraft
Visionary
Not if you do it all right. You need to set it so the regular bike chain is a bit too loose, then measure the drive chain and break it. Put it all together and you till have plenty of slack. Just remember, it is MUCH better to take off too little than to take off too much.
chainmaker
Well-Known Member
There is a tensioner of sorts that eliminates the stock type that mounts on your stays, and a lot more affordable than the one in the photo and will give you a clean look.
http://venicemotorbikes.com/shop/?product=chain-tensioning-shim-kit
http://venicemotorbikes.com/shop/?product=chain-tensioning-shim-kit
Last edited:
Wickedest1
Member
As far as the crap tensioner goes, weld it then twist it slightly so the roller lines up with the chain...thats what I did and have had no issues since...
chainmaker
Well-Known Member
The dropout tensioners work great as well, you need to have horizontal drop outs for them to work.
Mr. Minecraft
Visionary
I still largely prefer no tensioner at all. The Simplicity is nice and its one less thing the chain needs to deal with.
I am cutting a new chain for my bike and was thinking of ditching the tensioner. I had dogged my tensioner to the frame with a small screw so it wouldn't move. I can put a tensioner on the pedal chain if needed. My only concern is if the chain will hit the the boss under the sprocket.
Just a little suggestion to those with coaster brakes planning on using a pedal side chain tensioner. You'll want the tensioner on the top chain run. When braking all of the force is applied to the bottom of the chain. That way you won't have to build such a beefy tensioner bracket. Most of us don't pedal that often and a lighter bracket will suffice for it but when braking you don't want to run the risk of a critical component failing.
Tom
Tom
Racko
New Member
Tom, do you mean the stock chain tensioner? I worry about mine because its fairly far back and and the roller is elevated quite a bit. It makes me nervous that it'll go into the wheel. For the record I have a coaster brake
No, Racko. I'm saying for those who want to do away with the engine side tensioner and add a pedal side tensioner. If they install a tensioner on the pedal side it needs to be on the upper chain run, not the lower. This will give you maximum force applied to the coaster brake without relying on the strength of a tensioner bracket/sprocket.
Tom
Tom
Powerstroke816
New Member
I just drilled a hole straight through the frame and stock one and just put a bolt through it and it stays in place.
Mr. Minecraft
Visionary
This is the best thing to do if you cant get the perfect tension on both the engine chain and pedal chain. I need to remember this for future builds, thanks 2Door
Kioshk
Active Member
I see you have a Genesis Two Nine. The chainstays on this frame are rectangular, and I found it a perfect compliment to the stock-idler. It naturally stays vertical without slip.