Rear Chain Tensioner

[Pete Logan]

I have one of these on the Harley. Before I get another one and modify it to fit the Zook, does anyone know if there is one out there for Suzuki ?

1982 GS750E

Thanks.

[ryonker]

Thats a neat idea. Does it help extend chain life?

Rick

[focus frenzy]

well considering that none of the GS run a belt final drive I would have to say no.

[hampshirehog]

This could be quite a tricky thing to get right.

Automatic chain tensioners were pretty common on low cc bikes with lightweight chains (mopeds and that sort of thing). I'm thinking that with the power and weight of a GS you would have to have a mother of a spring in there which might actually increase chain wear.

I might be talking out of my backside of course so if you can get the thing set up you'll need to put how you did it on here.

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Interesting idea. But I think the engineering challenges are such that they are impractical for motorcycles with chains. If not, surely it would have been standard equipment by now.

http://www.cyclespot.com/forums/showthread.php?t=850

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/3838606.html

Do Harleys have aftermarket primary chain tensioners and secondary belt tensioners?

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Pete Logan]

This is one I have on the Harley. It's aftermarket from jpcycles.com

The theory is that it takes the lash out of the chain and thus avoids it being abruptly jerked when applying or coming off the throttle.

I can't swear it extends chain life but there may be something to it. I strongly suspect the Scottoiler does more good.

The spring doesn't have to be that strong. It gives some. It does take a 200lb football player to mount it though.

It is for chains, not belts, though I suppose the same logic would apply to a belt as well.

I don't think mounting it will be much of a problem There are a couple of bolts around there anyway on the rear footrest bracket, so I would just need to fab up a transfer bracket to get it in the right place.

I'll keep you all posted if I go ahead. Think I will.

[Sandy]

Years ago when I did a Keith Code super bike school the 600 Ninjas they track prepped for the school used these. He swore by them for easing the transition from off throttle to on throttle especially in corners where you're already pushing traction to the limit. Can't say I noticed anything but I was on an unfamiliar bike on an unfamiliar track. I could get the back end to slide nicely under power coming into the pit straight and didn't fall off so maybe it helped. LOL.

[Hammered]

First off, No. I dont know of anyone who makes a tensioner just for the Zukis. All the ones Ive seen, and theres a bunch of us modding and chopping the GSs these day, have modded their own. They work great in rigids but I cant say Ive seen one a swinger before. No real need that I can think of. Of course Ive been wrong before. Now on a hardtail, they work great. As I would think, if you didnt have enough play in the tensioner on a swinger, it would bind on a good bump. The tensioner becomes a binding points

[derwood]

kinda looks like a solution in search of a problem....harleys dont use a cush drive hub though ?

[Big T]

If I remember correctly, it was ATK that made a swingarm mounted chain tensioner back in the 1980s???