chain tensioner

[Mandi Engineering]

Is anyone running a chain tensioner on their motorcycle? I don't see its required in the rule book and I'm trying to determine which method is best...sprocket or engineering plastic roller.

[Stainless1]

A chain tensioner is not required on a motorcycle, but if you need one use one.  We have made both for our little car, a sprocket and a non-metallic... we use the non-metallic regularly. 
Ours is needed due to the distance between the output sprocket and the suspension pivot.   
We built a little spring loaded swingarm to keep the slack out of the bottom of the chainrun due to suspension movement. 
good luck with your project 
be safe, have fun, then go fast

[fredvance]

If you aren't running a long swingarm you shouldn't need one. The guys on pavement 6" over without a tensioner.

[runt13]

I run one on my street Harley, [1985 FXEF] basically because I lowered the bike by modifying the swingarm shock mounting points and don't want it to rub threw anything it works great but tends to wear out the sprockets and chain a bit faster.

LSR bike number 2 is a Buell that is extended 10% @ the swingarm and I am making one for it. I have aluminum box tubing that fits the HD big twin plastic tensioner inside of it, one on top and one on the bottom. haven't yet decided to make it fixed or load it with some kind of spring.

[tauruck]

The really good skateboard wheels with the high speed bearings make a great tensioner.

[Mandi Engineering]

Any problems running a fixed tensioner vs a spring loaded one? Reason I would like to run a fixed one is to decrease the amount of deflection in the chain to prevent the chain from hitting the chassis.

[tauruck]

We've always run fixed but the mountings are slotted for adjustment.
Ran on rough roads no problem.

I guess you'll get way less deflection on the salt.

[55chevr]

I have run sprocket and I run nylon roller on long swing arm bikes .  I always locked them in place.