Need a good sturdy chain tensioner

[09.0]

MCS does one but Im really after a good solid one. Can anyone point me in the right direction.

[bigk]

Your nearest metal fabricator/engineer. Get one made or make one yourself.
k

[LWC82PE]

Good question, i have been looking for one of those forward mount types like FMF/Al Baker sold to make a pattern off. They look like they are made from 1/4 thick alloy plate and used a skateboard wheel.

http://www.cemoto.it/ have heaps but i think they are just the same thing as the MCS one

[Paulos]

This one would be perfect for you Brad

[09.0]

  ....... You're an id10t

[Paulos]

I resemble that!!

[80-85 husky]

check out the husqvarnaparts catalogue, they have a nice husky replacement with a hand grip to allow you pull it away from the chain to check the chain tension. you could model one on that line

[mick25]

Best thing is the roller wheels like the modern bikes run , you can get after market nylon wheels with built in bearings , set this up down below your front sprocket area if you install it the right spot it will take the chain slack up . I've done this on my bikes .
It's good to put a roller wheel above the chain like modern bikes to and most older bikes have this takes the chain slack up when the swingarm gos past its level position (tightest) part of chain ,say when you bottom it out on a jump the top roller does it job when the bottom is not.

[bazza]

like mick25 said

[Canam370]

Protech made the best tensioners. 2 plates supporting the tensioner arm. Not hard to replicate. I can send you a pic of one I have if you need inspiration. Google a pic - its too late in the evening for me to be stuffing around with links!

[TT5 Matt]

i had a protect tensioner on my much modded tt500 back in the day and was always replacing the tension spring, as mick sauid use solid mount rollers with bearing and the key is to mount it in the right spot

[rocketfrog]

I have a spring loaded tensioner which was cut from an XT250G swingarm that you can have for the cost of postage. It would fit up close to the swinger pivot below the arm and has a (or you might need to make) a nylon block, but you could mount a wheel such as a Ballards or MCS aftermarket roller as you require.

[brent j]

What Mick25 said.

The best tensioner I found is a fixed roller below the swingarm pivot.
Set the front sprocket, swingarm pivot and rear axle in line and set the chain tension to about 10-15mm. This is as tight as it will ever get.
With everything I this position mount a roller from a late model bike as close as possible to directly below the swingarm pivot and just touching the chain.
Use a good chain guide from a modern bike to keep the chain feeding into the rear sprocket
As the swingarm drops the roller will keep even tension on the chain.
I found (with my Yamaha 500’s) that spring loaded tensioners get pulled down any time the bike is in an over run situation ie engine braking.
I also found this type of tensioner becomes more effective with more suspension travel.
Look at late model bikes……..

[LWC82PE]

I also found this type of tensioner becomes more effective with more suspension travel.

By 'this type' are you referring to the spring loaded type?

[brent j]

I also found this type of tensioner becomes more effective with more suspension travel.

By 'this type' are you referring to the spring loaded type?

No the fixed type, even when I took my Yamaha 500 rear suspension travel to 12" I still had no chain problems