Chain tensioner

[Fantic-guy]

I want to put a chain tensioner on our kart so I don't have to shim the motor up or take links out of the chain. The chain is brand new and on the first couple runs it stretched (as they do when new).

I'm thinking about some sort of spring loaded tensioner, perhaps with a skateboard wheel or something similar running on the front side of the chain.

Any ideas on this anyone could share? Does anyone see an problems I might run into with it?

 

[TorqueRanger]

What about half link???

 

[Fantic-guy]

What about half link???

yeah, if a tensioner won't work out I'll have to go that route, or change something on the motor mount. As the engine is now, moving it forward or back on the mount doesn't tension the chain. I'd really like to do something to get away from changing the chain length or shimming the engine.

 

[Fantic-guy]

Now that I'm thinking about this, I remember when we were re-positioning the motor mount we were considering using a swing mount. Now I wish we had lol. Hind sight is 20/20

 

[Russ2251]

A swing mount would not solve the chain tension problem.

 

[Fantic-guy]

A swing mount would not solve the chain tension problem.

it depends on the swing mount. If it's and offset mount you can use it for chain tensioning I think. If it's a center bearing style then yeah, you aren't changing the geometry by tilting the mount. I didn't want to get into extra bearings on the axle so we didn't use it.

 

[Russ2251]

I didn't want to get into extra bearings on the axle so we didn't use it.

I hear ya...I had no choice.

 

[Fantic-guy]

I hear ya...I had no choice.

I was looking through your picture album, some pretty cool and ingenious stuff there

 

[Russ2251]

Thanx...
I did it because I was told it could not be done.

 

[redsox985]

You have some long slots in that motor mount, can't you slide the motor forward or backward to tension it?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

For the amount of work it would take to set up a decent tensioning system, would it be easier to make up a couple of shims? Just thinking out loud...

 

[Fantic-guy]

You have some long slots in that motor mount, can't you slide the motor forward or backward to tension it?

it looks like sliding the engine would work, but it doesn't really make a lot of difference.

As far as the work involved to make a tensioner, I'm not adverse to work. Plus I like tinkering. lol

 

[Russ2251]

For the amount of work it would take to set up a decent tensioning system, would it be easier to make up a couple of shims? Just thinking out loud...

I had to do this on one of my builds. I added a 1/16" aluminum plate which gave me just enough of my needed adjustment.

 

[redsox985]

As far as the work involved to make a tensioner, I'm not adverse to work. Plus I like tinkering. lol

I can't argue with that statement!

I had to do this on one of my builds. I added a 1/16" aluminum plate which gave me just enough of my needed adjustment.

I have 1/2" spacers under my engine. Why do I? I don't remember, but I turned them from 1" steel rod with a 7/16" hole center drilled.

 

[landuse]

What about half link???

For the amount of time it takes to add a half link, I would go with this option. It is the easierst and fastest option IMO

 

[Gator]

get the torch out and extend the motor plate slots an inch or so, if you can.

 

[Fantic-guy]

I was able to get out to the shop today to work on the chain tensioner. After some trial and error I came up with this cobbled up mess. It's obviously not finalized but it works great.
I need to figure out a better spring mechanism or placement. The zip ties are to hold the assembly from sliding side to side. It'll get buttoned up the next time I get out to my brothers shop.

 

[gokart14]

why was a chain tensioner needed in first place? looks good though

 

[Fantic-guy]

The chain didn't tension enough using the motor mounts slots and i wanted something that would auto-tension it so I didn't have to shim the engine or use half links. Plus, I like fabbing stuff... It's made out of a piece of robot automation equipment, some flat bar and a skateboard wheel lol.

 

[gokart14]

well if it works than i guess it doensnt matter GOOD JOB