pre '99 tensioners

[JohnF]

Pulled out my chains to clean and lube them. I will probably be replacing some of them, but the reason for this post is to ask a bit about the chain tensioners.

Has anyone here done something different? These appear to get torqued enough to bend them. I pulled then out and am bending them back but I don't expect that this is a long term solution.

[Roger S]

Swap the top and bottom pieces. Then the twist thats "worn" in them will be the opposite of what they were. Sometimes I add washers to space the set away from the frame, if needed. Replace any weak or stretched springs. One complete tensioner kit is about $30.

I broke one once, tried to have it welded, it was like funky pot metal. I don't try to bend them any more. No need, as the above method works great for me.

[JohnF]

Swap the top and bottom pieces.

I like that! Let them bend themselves back. How long before you need to flip them again?

it was like funky pot metal.

Unhuh. Made me nervous to be bending them too much.