Hey all,
I can run a CNC milling center and I was thinking I would do a run of manual cam chain tensioners. $50 for a CCT seems pricey to me, for a 10-minute machined block of aluminum and turned bolt. Plus, it's an upgrade that just about everyone wants to do. It will be cheapest for me to do them in bulk so I was thinking I would just do a run of 20 or so, and then I'd sell them to forum members for like $15 or so shipped to your door.

Anyway, I do need some help from someone with a tensioner. I don't actually have one, so I've made up a drawing showing the dimensions I'll need to produce these parts. If anyone has a CCT handy, as well as a caliper, I'd really appreciate it.

Dimensions such as J,D, and K probably do not need to be all that accurate. Everything else should be, though, especially bolt holes. Thanks in advance, Andrew

 

i would but i dont have a caliper and its way to cold outside. but u can always pull ur factory one off and use those measurements. they are pretty much the same except for the screw down the middle.

 

Where are you located? I may be willing to let you borrow mine if you're close. Also, I would check and make sure there is no patent on the APE cct before you start mass producing them.

 

Hey, thanks but I'm in New York. Not a big deal -- if I don't get any dimensions from this forum, eventually I'll just brave the cold and take my stock one off and measure the holes and size myself.

I'm not doing this to turn a huge profit, nor do I expect to. I just figured it would be a neat machining project and would be a help to many of you guys who are going to upgrade anyway. Also, I've seen knock-offs on eBay so I doubt I'd get in trouble for privately selling a few to forum members.

 

that makes me wonder how the knock-offs are after looking at the fit n' finish and just the general design of my APE....

 

buy 1 and copy it

 

I have one I can measure at lunchtime for you. I'll post later with the dimensions.

 

Excellent, Smitty, thank you. I'll post a picture of the CAM when I have something interesting...
-Andrew

 

what are you going to do for the end of the bolt that goes against the chain. i know they have a special end that puts pressure on the chain and it has like a rounded end or something. just wondering

 

Basically I'll start with a 5/16x3" hex head bolt. In the CNC lathe I'll turn down the head to be a nice rounded surface to push up against the rail. Then I'll install a nut onto the other end, and drill and pin the nut onto the end of the bolt.