Chain Tensioner luck with no tensioner?

[2strokepoke]

i've been having trouble with my tensioner. i used the original one for a few hours and it finally came loose so i tightened it and stripped it so i rebuilt the idler and put a new bolt threw it and stripped that one.. so i've been thinking of just making the chain shorter and running with out. my bike is a 20''.

anyone have luck with not running a chain tensioner?

 

[motorpsycho]

yeah i ran my 20" bike without a chain tensioner for about a year.
the problem is that sometimes the chain will go loose, tight, loose as it rotates.
if you don't get the chain tension adjusted just right without a tensioner, the chain can be either too loose when it gets to the "loose" stage of it's rotation, or too tight when it gets to the "tight" stage of it's rotation.
the chain needs to be neither too loose or too tight in it's full rotation so it doesn;t come off, or break.
it can be done but it takes a few tries to get the chain adjusted to the right tightness.
you will probably also find out that you won't be able to get the pedal chain adjusted and the engine chain adjusted so that they are both right. one may be too loose, while the other may be too tight.
This can be a challenge in itself, and sometimes you have to use a 1/2 link in one of the chains to get them both adjusted right.
this is where the tensioner really helps because it takes up the extra slack in the engine chain, while allowing the pedal chain to stay tight.

 

[Jay]

i didn't try it but i saw somebody did . i think it's no problem your bike is 20" but make sure you the chain is in line from gear to sprocket . The chain tensioner help keep in line someway.

 

[motorpsycho]

i didn't try it but i saw somebody did . i think it's no problem your bike is 20" but make sure you the chain is in line from gear to sprocket . The chain tensioner help keep in line someway.

no, the tensioner has nothing to do with keeping the chain in line.
what keeps the chain in line is how the rear sprocket is mounted to the rim. the chain must run in a straight line frm the engine sprocket to the rear sprocket when looking at the bike from behind and it can do this without a tensioner.
the chain tensioner does just what it's name implies....it keeps tension on the chain to help keep it at the right tightness.

 

[2strokepoke]

i guess that answers my question. i'm just not sure if i wanna make my chain shorter cause theres not going back with the way i shorten chains.. im too cheap to get a decent puller. i dont wanna make it short and then it still be too loose.. I spose i could get a half link

 

[Jay]

Yes ,you are right . I didn't explain it well. I meant the tensioner help keep chain in line without dropping . I'm using a new type tensiner I want to show you guys but don't know how to post a picture.

 

[2strokepoke]

well my problem i think is that the idler wont spin and its putting stress on the brackets and making it pull towards the tire and taking the chain with it... i cant tighten the bolts anymore and welding is not an option. if i try to loosen the idler it just slides down then tighten it at all and it locks up

 

[motorpsycho]

the stock tensioners are garbage.
your best bet is to make your own, or buy a good aftermarket one(but they are expensive).
you can run without a tensioner, but it's harder to get the chain tension just right.

 

[2strokepoke]

im thinking of upgrading the bolts to a larger diameter so it will tighten better. havent figured out what to do for the idler/roller itself. possibly making it spring loaded.

 

[FunkBike]

Sprocket alignment

yeah i ran my 20" bike without a chain tensioner for about a year.
the problem is that sometimes the chain will go loose, tight, loose as it rotates.

i'm just a noob, but i think that this is (maybe) because your rear sprocket is not perfectly aligned. these chinease sprockets are not the best when it comes to alignment.