Chain tensiorer

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lakesmod
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SELF INTRODUCTION: I'm a 60ish owner of a late '84 model H-D Sportster. I live on Taylor Bay on the Key Peninsula coast of Puget Sound in Washington State. I've had the bike about 1-1/2 years. Changed drag bars to apes. I'm in the process of lowering the rear about 4". I don't like stock & I enjoy modifying. Have had Honda's, Triumph's, Sportsters and Shovelheads.
Location: Taylor Bay, Washington

Re: Chain tensiorer

Post by lakesmod »

Jeff L
Thanks but the material in question is on top of the aluminum swing arm.
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lakesmod
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SELF INTRODUCTION: I'm a 60ish owner of a late '84 model H-D Sportster. I live on Taylor Bay on the Key Peninsula coast of Puget Sound in Washington State. I've had the bike about 1-1/2 years. Changed drag bars to apes. I'm in the process of lowering the rear about 4". I don't like stock & I enjoy modifying. Have had Honda's, Triumph's, Sportsters and Shovelheads.
Location: Taylor Bay, Washington

Re: Chain tensiorer

Post by lakesmod »

Jeff L
Thanks,but the material in question is on top of the aluminum swing arm.
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Jeff L
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Re: Chain tensiorer

Post by Jeff L »

I see said the blind man.Im doing this on my Ipod.Didnt even see that till you pointed it out.Looks like its there to keep the chain from slapping the swingarm...Teflon maybe?
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lakesmod
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SELF INTRODUCTION: I'm a 60ish owner of a late '84 model H-D Sportster. I live on Taylor Bay on the Key Peninsula coast of Puget Sound in Washington State. I've had the bike about 1-1/2 years. Changed drag bars to apes. I'm in the process of lowering the rear about 4". I don't like stock & I enjoy modifying. Have had Honda's, Triumph's, Sportsters and Shovelheads.
Location: Taylor Bay, Washington

Re: Chain tensiorer

Post by lakesmod »

Jeff L
Thanks for sticking with me on this .
I think teflon would wear faster then UHMW.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra-hig ... lyethylene
My problem is the chain has only about 1/2" before it will hit the top frame because I have lowered the bike about 4".
http://s210.photobucket.com/albums/bb166/lakesmod/
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gww25
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SELF INTRODUCTION: I'm just an old chopper builders who still dabbles in the craft and I hope that I can contribute something to the discussions as time goes by. Most of you already know that I started the Chopper Builders Handbook site so you're probably already familiar with my philosophy on choppers and chopper work.
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Re: Chain tensiorer

Post by gww25 »

On a swingarm bike you need a tensioner with a lot more 'travel' than what most of us use on a rigid frame but most swingarm bikes don't need a tensioner to begin with so why is this an issue on your particular project? Are you planing on running a jackshaft for the bike or is there some other design element that requires the use of the tensioner? As a general rule the use of a chain tensioner on a chopper frame is because you're running a non-adjustable axle block or you have a clearance problem with the chain. On a swingarm frame you should not have any clearance problems and it's almost mandantory that you have adjustable axle blocks. Try to post some diagrams or photos of the particular issue or design element on your project and we can provide some better input.
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lakesmod
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Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 3:07 pm
SELF INTRODUCTION: I'm a 60ish owner of a late '84 model H-D Sportster. I live on Taylor Bay on the Key Peninsula coast of Puget Sound in Washington State. I've had the bike about 1-1/2 years. Changed drag bars to apes. I'm in the process of lowering the rear about 4". I don't like stock & I enjoy modifying. Have had Honda's, Triumph's, Sportsters and Shovelheads.
Location: Taylor Bay, Washington

Re: Chain tensiorer

Post by lakesmod »

gww25
I have lowered the rear about 4-5".The swing arm is now running at a angle putting the chain a 1/2" from frame at the bottom of the oil tank.
Take a look at the above address for photo bucket,A good picture is the 3rd row 4th picture from the left.
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lakesmod
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Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 3:07 pm
SELF INTRODUCTION: I'm a 60ish owner of a late '84 model H-D Sportster. I live on Taylor Bay on the Key Peninsula coast of Puget Sound in Washington State. I've had the bike about 1-1/2 years. Changed drag bars to apes. I'm in the process of lowering the rear about 4". I don't like stock & I enjoy modifying. Have had Honda's, Triumph's, Sportsters and Shovelheads.
Location: Taylor Bay, Washington

Re: Chain tensiorer

Post by lakesmod »

I should have said the chain is 1/2" from where the frame go's behind the oil tank.
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gww25
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SELF INTRODUCTION: I'm just an old chopper builders who still dabbles in the craft and I hope that I can contribute something to the discussions as time goes by. Most of you already know that I started the Chopper Builders Handbook site so you're probably already familiar with my philosophy on choppers and chopper work.
Location: Murphy, Texas
Contact:
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Re: Chain tensiorer

Post by gww25 »

I see the problem and it looks like a tensioner should keep the chain below the tank but I haven't looked at the specific geometry with repect to the chain for the full range of travel. It may be easier just to build a custom tank and chain guard. Nice work by the way of getting that bike lowered.
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railroad bob
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Re: Chain tensiorer

Post by railroad bob »

Someone here built a really nice yellow pro-street style chopper years ago, and used a chain tensioner.
I think his user name was Jacked800, or something like that.
Haven't seen any posts from him in years tho.
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lakesmod
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Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 3:07 pm
SELF INTRODUCTION: I'm a 60ish owner of a late '84 model H-D Sportster. I live on Taylor Bay on the Key Peninsula coast of Puget Sound in Washington State. I've had the bike about 1-1/2 years. Changed drag bars to apes. I'm in the process of lowering the rear about 4". I don't like stock & I enjoy modifying. Have had Honda's, Triumph's, Sportsters and Shovelheads.
Location: Taylor Bay, Washington

Re: Chain tensiorer

Post by lakesmod »

gww25
Thanks for the complement.
I have looked at McMaster-Car and Grainger web sites for a sprocket to make a idler.
They list there sprockets as #40-50-60,my chain is a 530. Dose 50=530?
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I enjoy reading the posts on the forum and try to contribute when I can. I am sure that this will be every bit as good as the CBH forum, as we will have most of the same folks. Good luck and post a lot of pics!! Jim
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Re: Chain tensiorer

Post by jimmib »

lakesmod wrote:gww25
Thanks for the complement.
I have looked at McMaster-Car and Grainger web sites for a sprocket to make a idler.
They list there sprockets as #40-50-60,my chain is a 530. Dose 50=530?
Not to answer Gary's question, but yes Ansi 50=Bike 530.
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lakesmod
NewB
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 3:07 pm
SELF INTRODUCTION: I'm a 60ish owner of a late '84 model H-D Sportster. I live on Taylor Bay on the Key Peninsula coast of Puget Sound in Washington State. I've had the bike about 1-1/2 years. Changed drag bars to apes. I'm in the process of lowering the rear about 4". I don't like stock & I enjoy modifying. Have had Honda's, Triumph's, Sportsters and Shovelheads.
Location: Taylor Bay, Washington

Re: Chain tensiorer

Post by lakesmod »

Made one. Trying a picture.
http://s210.photobucket.com/albums/bb16 ... MG0319.jpg
http://s210.photobucket.com/albums/bb16 ... 0316-1.jpg
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riceburner
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Re: Chain tensiorer

Post by riceburner »

How did this work out?
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