Fed up with 84 200x chain tensioners, came up with this

[gizmo_22]

Hey guys just thought I would share this with everyone, loosely based on an aftermarket design i saw somewhere on this site. Just need to add a longer stud on the swinger and get a washer/locknut on there and it'll be great, took it for a short test ride and no issues that i can see so far. Anyways lemmie know what you guys think, And yes i know the tires are on backwards lol. Anyone who has these tires try them out this way if you ride in lots of mud/snow seems to work ALOT better for me this way.
http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j350/gizmo_225/Trikes/2010-10-26131643.jpg

[Xhumeka]

very interesting! how well does it work??

[RodKnockRacing]

Thats a great idea

[hang&rattle]

Amen! What was Honda thinking with the inaccessible cheesy method in the first place. Hate haffin' to tighten the 200x chains. You're on to something there. How much has that been tested? Does the sprockets get heated more than before? Any rocks or sticks get hung up or hit it? Good job. Keep us posted with more info.

[gizmo_22]

haven't had a chance to run it much yet, just built it last night and as you can see im currently lacking brakes.. My calipers are trashed so testing will be held off until i can source some new ones on ebay. There's a few really nice rutted out mud runs that ill drag it through and let everyone know how its holding up.

[harryredtrike]

how hard is it pushing down on the top of the swinger.looks like its rubbing about half way down the top of the swinger.

[gizmo_22]

the spring is actually fairly weak, once the bike is put in gear it will pull the top of the chain tight, so its no different then a stock setup as far as chain guide wear, it may cause slightly more rubbing when decelerating with compression braking, but testing will tell. Just gotta get me some brakes :D

[ATCrider42]

ya looks like it'll wear on the swinger really bad. Especially if you get dirt and rocks in there. You may just wear a hole in the swinger if you ride it long enough. You should install a strip of rubber a long the top of the swinger where the chain comes close to rubbing it.

[oldskool83]

wouldnt it be easier to just take the 10 mins it takes and ajust the chain tensioners...i never had an issue with mine. i put new ones on my 200x right away and used flanged nuts not the ones hondas came with...

[shortline10]

Here are 2 different versions that are period correct , aftermarket one on my 200x . Maybe you could make this style ?:beer

[gizmo_22]

i think the angle of my pic is misleading the chain is only touching the original chain slider not the entire swinger, and as far as using the stock adjusters they are currently max'd out and id rather not throw a new chain and sprockets at it until i start tearing it down this winter for an overhaul.

Thats another option Shortline10, ill have to look in my junk pile and see if i have enough stuff to make that. Might be a better solution.

[Xhumeka]

What's with those two big bolts on your front sprocket plate?? It almost looks like the chain rubs at least one of them...

[shortline10]

You could always go up 1 tooth on the front sprocket and that should give you the extra adjustment room you need .

[Dirtcrasher]

The thing is (from a fellow fabricators standpoint), you only need to tension the lower half of the chain. The upper portion is pulled tight by the sprocket.

I'd probably weld a post on the swingarm and mount the spring to that..........

[gizmo_22]

oh you guys noticed the front sprocket, lol those are factory honda bolts for a 1982 atc185s, they don't actually touch its the angle of the pic. my x is currently running a 200s engine as i only found a roller up here not a complete bike. Thanks for the tip dirtcrasher another option to think about.

[factoryX]

I would replace the chain, front/rear sprocket, that is way needle. This is a great idea though, I hated adjusting my chain on my 200x.

[gizmo_22]

heres the most recent pic of the overall trike
http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j350/gizmo_225/Trikes/71929_456825349900_518249900_5184586_4502334_n.jpg

actually i do have a 12t sprocket but i dont have a 200x retaining plate for it. It's different then the s's

[njrextreme]

Looks good. Nothing wrong with trying to make somthing work. You will find out soon enough it does its job good.

[KASEY]

The thing is (from a fellow fabricators standpoint), you only need to tension the lower half of the chain. The upper portion is pulled tight by the sprocket.

I'd probably weld a post on the swingarm and mount the spring to that..........

wrong,,,,,, so you take all the slack out of the chain on the bottom,, well when you let off and are on compression,,, all that slack is on the top and sloppy and lose because you have not tensioned your chain properly... makes it easy to jump off the countershaft sprocket then... MY opinion,, get a new set of chain and sprockets !!! throw that thing in the trash ,,,do it right,, then you will not have any problems,,, i can see your rear sprocket is shot...

[Dirtcrasher]

wrong,,,,,, so you take all the slack out of the chain on the bottom,, well when you let off and are on compression,,, all that slack is on the top and sloppy and lose because you have not tensioned your chain properly... makes it easy to jump off the countershaft sprocket then... MY opinion,, get a new set of chain and sprockets !!! throw that thing in the trash ,,,do it right,, then you will not have any problems,,, i can see your rear sprocket is shot...

Obviously when you let off it's not "pulling" the rear sprocket.

With the correct spring, there is always some tension on either the top or bottom part of the chain from the spring, no more than if it were adjusted properly IMHO.....

Yep, new chain and sprockets would eliminate it but thats apparently not an option at this point.

[Zuplar]

Here are 2 different versions that are period correct , aftermarket one on my 200x . Maybe you could make this style ?:beer

this is a pretty neat little setup. wouldn't mind having that on mine. probably wouldn't take to much to make either.

[Dirtcrasher]

^ Very easy to make, I'd groove out Delrin or UHMW for a roller on a long shoulder bolt. Problem may be finding a torsion spring set op like that. It's gotta be on a tractor or plow blade somewhere...................

[gizmo_22]

Well quick update, it works quite well. Was out for a few short rides while we were doing carb tuning on a friends bike and no issues at all. Wasnt the most extreme terrain out there but a good mix of mud and loose soil areas, never had a chain jump at all. So i think its going to do its job for the last few good rides we do until the bike gets torn down this winter for a rebuild. Needs a little bit of that TLC lol mostly swinger bearings and suspension overhaul. Should be almost like new next season :)