Re: I made a chain tensioner - will it work?

Posted by shinyribs on Sep 03, 2012; 5:06am
URL: http://vintage-and-classic-hondas.81.s1.nabble.com/I-made-a-chain-tensioner-will-it-work-tp4028481p4028551.html

Matt Story wrote

The skateboard wheel will never take it.  The rubber will wear out in no time, and it will also cause a lateral force to be applied to the chain causing bad alignment.

You could try an industrial idler sprocket like this one.  http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/Ball-Bearing-Sprocket-Idler-5A552 Has a robust bearing built right in.
The one linked does not match your chain pitch, but these are proven in industrial automation.  If it were me, I'd use one that has ball bearings rather than needle.  For industrial purposes, chains generally run much slower.  The ball bearing style will be more suited to speed this thing will turn at.  You could always do a little math to calculate how fast the idler will be turning.  They probably have a max rpm rating...  

Matt

Thanks for the link Matt. Do you mind explaining the lateral force issue to me? Not sure I'm following on that one-Thanks