Chain tensioner

[kelso]

I would like to fab a chain tensioner that is spring loaded, similar to the monstarcraftsman version and I am wondering if anyone knows where to look for the sprocket and spring. I work in a steel mill and I can have pretty much anything machined as far as brackets are concerned. I can get things slotted, drilled whatever but I am not sure where a guy would look for the other stuff. Any ideas?

I like the idea of something with a spring that keeps tension when going between gears.

I have seen the thread with the skateboard wheel. It is killer but not really the look I am going for.

 

[ramairgtz]

You can use a spring from one of those spring clamps like this
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-3-4-quarter-inch-spring-clamp-66391.html

I bought an aftermarket tensioner from a banshee and made it work on my bike

 

[missile150]

Here is the tensioner that I built. I bought the spring from Grainger. Just look up torsion spring. It was about $7, but I can not remember which way it was wound. You have to look at the pictures. But it is the way to go.

 

[dwyatt]

I bought one off eBay from an old dirt bike. Welded on a mount tab and bolted that sucker right on. Less than $15 total.

 

[drake900]

Missile150: Where did you find the sprocket? I cant find one anywhere!

 

[kelso]

Missile150: Where did you find the sprocket? I cant find one anywhere!

+1 on the sprocket

 

[missile150]

I bought it at a local bearing shop called BRC Bearing. It was about $25 and the bearing was $8. I had to put it on my mini lathe to make the center hole large enough for the bearing. The bearing has an I.D. of 1/2" and an O.D. of 1&1 /8". It is a 13 tooth sprocket for a 530 chain, but they had to cross reference the sprocket to the 530 since their books showed another way. I have about $35 in it, but of course the hardware is just for a rough fit. I have some other pictures I could share if you like. I could get the grainger part number tomorrow as well.

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[kelso]

Ya more pics'd be great

 

[missile150]

Here you go!

 

[kelso]

This is just what I an looking to do but I don't have a lathe. Not sure how I would get that done. I can't believe that there is not somewhere to buy the sprocket with the bearing already in it.

 

[XSLeo]

Try your local farm supply. Farm machinery has idler sprockets all over them.
Leo

 

[ippytattoo]

Mcmaster Carr has item# 6663K44

Which is 15 tooth .640 bore with ball bearing for $25.76

 

[drake900]

whats the OD of the sprocket?

I bought it at a local bearing shop called BRC Bearing. It was about $25 and the bearing was $8. I had to put it on my mini lathe to make the center hole large enough for the bearing. The bearing has an I.D. of 1/2" and an O.D. of 1&1 /8". It is a 13 tooth sprocket for a 530 chain, but they had to cross reference the sprocket to the 530 since their books showed another way. I have about $35 in it, but of course the hardware is just for a rough fit. I have some other pictures I could share if you like. I could get the grainger part number tomorrow as well.

Posted via Mobile

 

[kelso]

Try your local farm supply. Farm machinery has idler sprockets all over them.
Leo

Great idea

 

[kelso]

Mcmaster Carr has item# 6663K44

Which is 15 tooth .640 bore with ball bearing for $25.76

Being a newbie this may be a dumb question but, how do you know that the teeth are the right size for the chain.

 

[ippytattoo]

That item is for a ansi 50 weight chain which is the same as 530 chain 5/8th pitch (length between teeth) and 3/8 width. If you are running 520 chain it will be to big (too wide). 530 chain designates pitch/width/0 so 5/8x3/8 same as ansi 50 weight.

 

[missile150]

I am glad that you guys found something out there. I just got this stuff locally and had some time to work on it and play with my tools. But it would have been easier if I found something already out there. But this worked for me and came out pretty good. The sprocket size you guys posted is great info to match the chain. I hope whatever you use works for you, and my pictures help. Good luck!

 

[kelso]

That item is for a ansi 50 weight chain which is the same as 530 chain 5/8th pitch (length between teeth) and 3/8 width. If you are running 520 chain it will be to big (too wide). 530 chain designates pitch/width/0 so 5/8x3/8 same as ansi 50 weight.

I will make sure to check back with this thread when it comes time to order my chain, thanks for the great info.

Travis, is this a candidate for the tech section?

 

[Travis]

Sure, with the next update.

 

[kelso]

Saw this in google while doing some shopping for idler gears. Has some other good info on chains.

Not sure why I hadn't run across it here before...

http://www.xs650.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6439