The Perfect Chain tensioner ???

[rodp]

Has anyone come up with the perfect tensioner for an Argo ? One that's manually adjustable, rock solid, foolproof, easy to adjust, stops ALL chain noise, lasts a long time and is capable of being made in a reasonable workshop ?

Too much to ask ???

[chris davison]

I use a 3/8 turn buckle to adjust mine and I have wondered if I could wrap a small cable around the body of it and attach it to a spring. This spring would try to rotate the body in the direction that tightens it every time there is a little slack. If I was to try it I would go with a 1/2 inch turn buckle with national fine threads and no lock nut. The right spring tention would be critical.

[rodp]

Got a picture uploaded Chris ? Don't know if the body of a turnbuckle would be big enough to provide the leverage necessary to overcome thread binding?

[spookum]

SNAP IDLE ALL THE WAYdont reinvent the wheel. The more tension it needs, the more tension it gives if that make sense.

[rodp]

I can se what you mean with these but don't they rely on the chain moving in one direction to create tension ? I thought they sort of "tilted over" with the drag of the chain thereby tensioning it ? What happens when you select reverse or even stop one chain, don't they then slap when the chain starts moving forward again ?

[spookum]

I would imagine they slap too. How ever, if you consider a chain with two sprockets going forward there is either tension in the top of the chain or bottom. This means that if you rididly affix a tensioner to one side, in reverse the tension is transfered to the other side which increases the tension on the tensioner. This, obviously is the cheaper solution, an gets rid of chain slap. Look at how maxes are tensioned. In my neck of the woods, snap idle is considerd the best solution.