Chain Tensioner Would like some help with my chain idler issue! Thanks guys!

[Donavan321]

Okay, so I've built over 30 of these motorized bikes and they're awesome! I ran into a new problem however....I JUST finished my motorized scwhinn 26" cruiser, and my chain tensioner/idler likes to dive over close to the spokes Im worried that one of these times ill be oing half throttle and it will catch and wreck everything including me! If I were to drill a hole through the tensioner and into the frame and use a screw or bolt, would this keep it in line? I have pictured my cruiser here. I'm broke so I can't buy a different tensioner so..what can I do to make this one work?

 

[jefuchs]

I'm a newbie here, but I've read that you should drill a hole so that you can put a screw through the mount, and into the bike frame, keeping it in the upright position.

 

[sawdust]

just my 2 cents worth..I would take a piece of flat bar..put a hole in one end and attach it to your idler then have the other end going to the front of the bike and use a u clamp to go around the lower frame bar(the same one that your chain tensioner is attached to) so that it makes a triangle. It will keep the tensioner from moving forward since now it has support in front of it. It's something I thought I might need to do to my bike..but then I put tape under my tensioner and used grade 8 bolts and nuts and really tightened mine tight..it hasn't moved yet and this is on a tandem with two guys on it on some pretty steep hills here.

 

[sawdust]

oh yeah..unless you want your frame to crack and brake..do not drill any holes in your bike frame anywhere..just ask around here..or rather read other posts...bad things will happen if you do

 

[johncy7]

Best dirt cheap tensioner you could ask for

Okay, so I've built over 30 of these motorized bikes and they're awesome! I ran into a new problem however....I JUST finished my motorized scwhinn 26" cruiser, and my chain tensioner/idler likes to dive over close to the spokes Im worried that one of these times ill be oing half throttle and it will catch and wreck everything including me! If I were to drill a hole through the tensioner and into the frame and use a screw or bolt, would this keep it in line? I have pictured my cruiser here. I'm broke so I can't buy a different tensioner so..what can I do to make this one work?

When I came up with this I was sure someone would wish they saw it. Lucky you!
Here's what you do: (after studying the pic)

http://www.motoredbikes.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=47288&stc=1&d=13576980 17

* Attach one of those curved pieces of metal bar from a sprocket assembly (or something similar) to your idler wheel. (don't tighten all the way because this needs to slide up and down)
* Drill an extra hole if necessary into the metal bar. (this is important for allowing the tensioner to move down but also to prevent it from moving too far down)
* Drill a small hole through the idler and frame and insert a small nail. (hole should be same size as the nail)
* Attach a bungee cord to the metal bar and the bottom of the bike seat.

You'll have to fight the urge to laugh or listen to any negative comments. This tensioner is flawless and has given me zero problems. Sorry about the small pic, this system keeps chopping it down to 32kb.

Note: I use a cheap super glue on all my threads as a loctite. Never had a problem yet.
Anyone selling this of course must pay me royalties!

-John

 

[Samdallas214]

url]http://www.motoredbikes.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=47288&stc=1&d=13576980[/url] 17

Is a dead page

 

[Samdallas214]

O what I was going to post
my chain tensioner would move/come un-tighten loose I solved it by just rapping a piece of old inner tub around the frame used lock washers and that fixed mine has not moved in over 3 months and hundreds of miles and no drilling into your frame

 

[johncy7]

url]http://www.motoredbikes.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=47288&stc=1&d=13576980[/url] 17

Is a dead page

works for me... seem the last two digits (17) are getting chopped off the url
http://www.motoredbikes.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=47288&stc=1&d=1357698017

Any way, this is a great tensioner (spring loaded) which is much better than a idler (stationary) because those cheap chinese chains are pretty much rubber bands.

-John

 

[Samdallas214]

When I click on it I keep getting this message

vBulletin Message
Invalid Attachment specified. If you followed a valid link, please notify the administrator

works for me... seem the last two digits (17) are getting chopped off the url
http://www.motoredbikes.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=47288&stc=1&d=1357698017

Any way, this is a great tensioner (spring loaded) which is much better than a idler (stationary) because those cheap chinese chains are pretty much rubber bands.

-John

 

[johncy7]

let me try the inline attachment option...